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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Loyalist
+       A Story of the American Revolution
+
+Author: James Francis Barrett
+
+Release Date: August 8, 2008 [EBook #26217]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOYALIST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, Martin Pettit and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE LOYALIST
+
+_A Story of the American Revolution_
+
+BY
+
+JAMES FRANCIS BARRETT
+
+
+[Illustration: Publisher's logo]
+
+
+P. J. KENEDY & SONS
+NEW YORK
+
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY
+P. J. KENEDY & SONS, NEW YORK
+
+_Printed in U. S. A._
+
+
+TO MY SISTER
+AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF LOVE AND ESTEEM
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+Historical facts constitute the background of this story. Its hero and
+its heroine are, of course, fictitious; but the deportment of General
+Arnold, the Shippen family, the several military and civic personages
+throughout the story is described, for the most part, accurately and in
+conformity with the sober truths of history. Pains have been taken to
+depict the various historical episodes which enter into the story--such
+as the attempted formation of the Regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers,
+the court-martial of Major General Arnold, the Military Mass on the
+occasion of the anniversary of American Independence--with as much
+fidelity to truth as possible. The anti-Catholic sentences, employed in
+the reprimand of Captain Meagher, are anachronisms; they are identical,
+however, with utterances made in the later life of Benedict Arnold. The
+influence of Peggy Shippen upon her husband is vouched for by eminent
+authority.
+
+Due appreciation and sincere gratitude must be expressed to those
+authors from whom much information has been taken,--to John Gilmary
+Shea, in his "History of the Catholic Church in the United States"; to
+Martin I. J. Griffin's "Catholics and the American Revolution"; to F. J.
+Stimson's excellent work, "Memoirs of Benedict Arnold"; to John Fiske's
+"American Revolution," and to the many other works which have freely
+been made use of in the course of this writing. Cordial thanks are also
+due to those who have generously assisted by suggestions and criticisms,
+and especially to those who have devoted their valuable moments to the
+revision of the proof sheets.
+                                                           J. F. B.
+
+
+
+
+THE LOYALIST
+
+
+
+
+PART ONE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+"Please continue, Peggy. You were telling me who were there and what
+they wore. Oh, dear! I am so sorry mother would not give me leave to go.
+Was it all too gay?"
+
+"It was wonderful!" was the deliberate reply. "We might have danced till
+now had not Washington planned that sudden attack. We had to leave
+then,--that was early this morning,--and I spent the day abed."
+
+It was now well into the evening and the two girls had been seated for
+the longest time, it seemed, on the small sofa which flanked the east
+wall of the parlor. The dusk, which had begun to grow thick and fast
+when Marjorie had come to visit Peggy, was now quite absorbed into
+darkness; still the girls had not lighted the candles, choosing to
+remain in the dark until the story of the wonderful experience of the
+preceding day had been entirely related.
+
+The grand pageant and mock tournament, the celebrated Mischienza,
+arranged in honor of General Howe, who had resigned his office as
+Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces in America to return to
+England, there to defend himself against his enemies in person, as
+General Burgoyne was now doing from his seat in Parliament, was an event
+long to be remembered not alone from the extravagance of its display,
+but from the peculiar prominence it afforded the foremost families of
+the city, particularly that of the Shippens.
+
+Edward Shippen was a gentleman of rank, of character, of fortune, a
+member of one of the oldest and most respected families in the city of
+Philadelphia, whose ancestor, of the same name, had been Mayor of the
+city nigh an hundred years before. He belonged to the Society of
+Friends, or Quakers, and while he took no active interest on either side
+during the years of the war, still he was generally regarded as one of
+the sympathizers of the Crown. Because of the social eminence which the
+family enjoyed and the brilliance and genial hospitality which
+distinguished their affairs, the Shippens were considered the undisputed
+leaders of the social set of Philadelphia. The three lovely Misses
+Shippen were the belles of the more aristocratic class. They were
+toasted frequently by the gay English officers during the days of the
+British occupation, for their father's house was often the rendezvous of
+the titled celebrities of the day.
+
+"And was your Captain there, too?" continued Marjorie, referring, of
+course, to Captain Monstresor, the engineer of the undertaking, an
+erstwhile admirer of Mistress Peggy.
+
+"You must know, my dear, that he arranged the spectacle. I saw little of
+him until the dance. In truth, he seemed more popular than General Howe
+himself."
+
+Marjorie sat up.
+
+"Tell me! Did the tournament begin the program?"
+
+"No!" replied Peggy. "The military procession of boats and barges with
+Lords Howe and Rawdon, General Howe and General Clinton, opened the
+event in the late morning, sailing up the river to the Wharton House,
+the scene of the tournament."
+
+Marjorie nodded.
+
+"The noise of the guns was deafening. When the flotilla arrived at
+Walnut Grove, which was lined with troops and bedecked brilliantly with
+flags and bunting, the pageant opened."
+
+"Where were you in the meantime?" asked Marjorie, careful to lose no
+detail.
+
+"We were seated in the pavilions,--seven ladies in each,--clothed in
+Turkish garments, each wearing in her turban the favor to be bestowed on
+her victorious knight."
+
+"And who was your knight?"
+
+"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," quickly replied Peggy, her eyes
+beaming with a smile of evident satisfaction and proud joy.
+
+"Lord Cathcart, whom I met here?"
+
+"The same," answered Peggy. "He was the leader of the 'Knights of the
+Blended Rose.'"
+
+"What an odd name!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I know it. They were named after their device. They were dressed in
+white and red silk, mounted on gray horses and attended by esquires.
+They were preceded by a herald who bore their device, two roses
+intertwined above the motto, 'We droop when separated.' My knight rode
+at the head, attended by two British Officers, and his two esquires, the
+one bearing his lance, the other his shield emblazoned with his
+device--Cupid astride a lion--over the motto, Surrounded by love.'"
+
+"You little Tory," interrupted Marjorie. "I shall tell General
+Washington that you are disloyal and have lent your sympathy to a
+British Officer."
+
+"I care little. The Yankees are without refinement----"
+
+"Don't you dare say that," snapped Marjorie, her whole being animated
+with sudden anger. "It is untrue and you know it. They are patriots
+and----"
+
+"Forgive me, dear," murmured Peggy, laying her hand on the arm of her
+irate friend. "I said that only in jest. I shan't continue if you are
+vexed."
+
+There was silence.
+
+"Please! I am not angry," Marjorie pleaded. "Do continue."
+
+"I forget my story now. What did I tell? There was so much that I am
+confused."
+
+"The Knights of the Rose!" suggested Marjorie.
+
+"Oh, yes! Well, this body of knights made the circuit of the square and
+then saluted their ladies. On a sudden, a herald advanced with a
+flourish of trumpets and announced that the ladies of the Blended Rose
+excelled in wit, beauty, grace, charm and accomplishments those of the
+whole world and challenged a denial by deeds of arms. Whereupon a
+counter sound of trumpets was heard from afar and another herald
+galloped before a body of knights in black and orange silk with the
+device--a wreath of flowers surrounding a burning heart--over the motto,
+'Love and Glory.' These were the Knights of the Burning Mountain, who
+came to dispute the claim of the Knights of the Blended Rose."
+
+"It must have been gorgeous!" exclaimed Marjorie, clasping her hands
+before her.
+
+"Indeed it was. Well, after several preliminaries, the encounter took
+place, the knights receiving their lances together with their shields
+from their esquires, whereupon they saluted and encountered at full
+speed, shivering their spears against the shield of their adversaries.
+They next encountered and discharged their pistols and then fought with
+swords. Again the two chiefs of the warring factions, Captain Cathcart
+of the Blended Rose and Captain Watson of the Burning Mountain, met in
+mid field to try their arms as champions of their respective parties.
+They parried and thrust with true knightly valor until Major Grayson, as
+marshal of the field, intervened at the critical moment, declaring the
+ladies of both parties to be fully satisfied with the proofs of love and
+the feats of valor displayed by their knights. He then commanded the
+combatants to desist. Thus ended the tournament."
+
+"How wonderful!" sighed Marjorie. "I would I had been present. And your
+knight was the hero?"
+
+"Of course," replied Peggy with a smile. "I am sure that he would have
+worsted Captain Watson, had not the Major stepped in. But the banquet
+was splendid."
+
+"And Captain Cathcart!" reminded Marjorie, with a slight manifestation
+of instinctive envy.
+
+"Why! He attended me, of course," was the proud response. "Each knight
+escorted his lady through the triumphal arches erected in honor of the
+Generals who were present, along the long avenue lined on both sides
+with the troops and the colors of the army. At the third arch, which was
+dedicated to General Howe and which bore on its top a huge flying figure
+of Fame, we entered the great Hall. There refreshments were served and
+the dancing began. It continued until midnight. The windows were then
+thrown open and we witnessed the wonderful display of fireworks. And
+then the supper!
+
+"Gorgeous, of course!" exclaimed Marjorie.
+
+"Gorgeous, indeed!" Peggy repeated--"a great room, with fifty or more
+pier glasses, draped with green silk and hundreds of varieties of
+flowers of as many hues and shades. An hundred branches of lights,
+thousands of tapers, four hundred and thirty covers, and there must have
+been more than twelve hundred dishes. The attendants were twenty-four
+black slaves garbed oriental fashion with silver collars and bracelets.
+And then we danced and danced until dawn, when we were interrupted by
+the sound of distant cannon."
+
+"And then your knights were called to real war," remarked Marjorie.
+
+"For the moment all thought this to be part of the program, the signal
+for another great spectacle. Suddenly everything broke into confusion.
+The officers rushed to their commands. The rest of us betook ourselves
+as best we could. We came home and went to bed, tired in every bone.
+Mother is sorry that I attended, for she thought it too gay. But I would
+not have lost it for the world."
+
+And perhaps her mother was right. For Peggy was but eighteen, the
+youngest of the Shippen family. The other girls were somewhat older, yet
+the three were considered the most beautiful débutantes of the city, the
+youngest, if in anything, the more renowned for grace and manner. Her
+face was of that plumpness to give it charm, delicate in contour, rich
+with the freshness of the bloom of youth. Her carriage betrayed
+breeding and dignity. And all was sweetened by a magnetism and vivacity
+that charmed all who came within her influence. Still her attitude was
+the more prepossessing than permanent.
+
+Like her father, she was a Quaker in many of her observances. To that
+creed she adhered with a rigorous determination. She had so often
+manifested her political sympathies, which were intensified to an
+irrational degree as appeared from passionate disclosures, that her
+father was led to observe that she was more a Tory at heart than General
+Howe himself.
+
+Her companion, Marjorie Allison, was about her own age, but as intensely
+American as she was English. Her parents had always lived in
+Philadelphia, as their parents had before them, coming originally from
+the Mother country to which they were now opposed in martial strife. The
+thrill of patriotism for the cause of the infant republic, which
+throbbed violently within her breast, had been inspired to enthusiasm
+more by the intense antipathy for the Church of England than for the
+government itself. This antipathy was kept alive and invigorated by the
+doleful memory of the privations and adversities endured by her
+ancestors from the agents of this same government because of their
+Catholic worship and their heroic efforts to follow their religious
+convictions.
+
+The sympathies of the Allisons were undivided. They were notorious
+Whigs, ardent champions of the rights which the new government so
+strongly asserted, and which they had pledged themselves stoutly to
+defend; ardent champions of the eternal principles on which the new
+republic was built. The psychology of the Allisons' allegiance did not
+differ from that of innumerable other families. Usually, strange to
+relate, society, while constantly moving forward with eager speed, is
+just as constantly looking backward with tender regrets. But no regrets
+were here. Religious persecution leaves no tender memories in its trail.
+Dissatisfaction with the past is seldom rendered more memorable than by
+the fanatic attempt to separate the soul from its God.
+
+Marjorie and Peggy had been friends from girlhood. They understood each
+other very well. Each knew and appreciated the other's peculiarities,
+her virtues and her foibles, her political propensities and religious
+convictions. They never discussed their religious differences. They
+avoided such a clash out of respect for each other's convictions. Not
+so, however, in matters relating to the form of government. Marjorie was
+a Whig, an ardent champion of the rights of the Colonists, while her
+more aristocratic friend was Tory in her sentiments, moderate, it is
+true, but nevertheless at times much inclined to the extreme.
+Notwithstanding these differences, their friendship had been constant
+and they had always shared their joys and sorrows.
+
+The days of the British occupation of the city had been glorious ones
+for Peggy and her sisters. The love of display and finery which was
+characteristic of them was satiated by the brilliance and the gayety of
+the winter season during which the titled British Officers were fêted
+and entertained extravagantly. None outshone the Shippens in the
+magnificence of their entertainments. Their house was ever open in
+hospitality, and more than once it had been whispered about that their
+resources had reached the point of exhaustion.
+
+At these functions Marjorie found herself a welcome guest. For Peggy
+took care that her little friend was never overlooked, even if on one
+occasion a pang of regret sent her to bed with copious tears when the
+favor for the evening had been bestowed upon her fair guest. Marjorie,
+however, maintained a mature composure and a marked concern, as was her
+wont, throughout it all, and Peggy again reassured herself that her
+misgivings were without foundation. For Marjorie disliked the titled
+gentry. They were without exception hostile to the faith to which she so
+steadfastly adhered. She bore with them merely for the pleasure which
+she derived from the coterie made brilliant by their participation.
+
+And so the winter passed, giving way to lovely, spring, whose gentle
+zephyrs dispelled the cold, the ice and the snow that had sent the
+British into the ballrooms for protection, and had afflicted and
+distressed the patriots at Valley Forge. With the advent of favorable
+weather, operations began anew; the hopes and the courage of the
+colonists were now exalted to the highest pitch. The disasters of Long
+Island and Fort Washington had been offset by the victory at Saratoga.
+While the British had taken and held the important cities of New York
+and Philadelphia as well as the town of Newport, still they had lost an
+army and had gained nothing but the ground on which they were encamped.
+
+Now, at the beginning of the fourth period of the war, the joyful news
+was heralded far and wide that the government of France had formally
+acknowledged the independence of the United States and that help was on
+the way to assist the Colonists in their struggle. At the same time the
+conciliatory measures of Lord North in Parliament gave indication to
+the patriots that the British Government was weakening. The joy of the
+Whigs knew no bounds, and Marjorie was beside herself as she related the
+glad tidings over and over again. The fourth epoch of the war augured
+well for the success of the cause.
+
+
+II
+
+In all the Colonies there was at this stage of the war no city more
+important than Philadelphia. Whatever there was among the Colonists of
+wealth, of comfort, of social refinement, of culture and of courtly
+manners was here centered. Even the houses were more imposing than
+elsewhere throughout the country. They were usually well constructed of
+stone or brick with either thatched or slated roofs. They were supplied
+with barns bursting with the opulence of the fields. The countryside
+round about was teeming with fatness. Indeed, in all the colonies no
+other place was so replete with affluence and comfort.
+
+Nor was it without its gentry, cultured and dignified. Its inhabitants
+were, for the most part, made up of members of old Quaker families and
+others faithful to the Church of England and devoted to the political
+principles of the Mother country,--the proud possessors of wealth and
+the exemplars of the most dignified deportment. Already were its fair
+sex renowned abroad as well as at home for their "beauty, grace and
+intelligence." They moved with all the gayety and charm of court ladies.
+The wealth and luxury of a capital city were there; for even in the
+infancy of the republic, Philadelphia had attained a distinction,
+unique and preëminent. What was more natural, then, than that their
+allegiance should be divided; the so-called fashionable set adhering to
+the crown; the common townsfolk, the majority of whom were refugees from
+an obnoxious autocracy, zealously espousing the colonists' cause, and
+the middle class, who were comprised of those families holding a more or
+less neutral position in the war, and who were willing to preserve their
+estates and possessions, remaining undecided, and in their manner
+maintaining good offices with both sides throughout the strife.
+
+The British Army took possession of the city, after its victorious
+encounter on the Brandywine, on the twenty-sixth of September, 1777. Sir
+William Howe selected for his headquarters the finest house in the city,
+the mansion which was once the home of Governor Richard Penn, grandson
+of William Penn. Here General Howe and his staff of officers passed a
+gay winter. They were much more interested in the amusements, the
+gayeties, the dissipations carried on in this old Quaker City than in
+any efforts to capture the army of General Washington.
+
+The infatuate populace, indifferent to the progress of the Revolution,
+unaffected for the most part by the righteousness of the cause of the
+Colonists, became enamored of the brilliance and the fashion and the
+display of the English nobility. They cordially welcomed General Howe
+and his young officers, electing them the leaders and the favorites in
+all the social gayeties and amusements of the season. Such was the
+luxury and dissipation of the British in the city, at dinner parties,
+cock-fights, amateur theatrical performances, that Dr. Franklin was led
+to remark in Paris that General Howe had not taken Philadelphia as much
+as Philadelphia had taken General Howe.
+
+The general plan of campaign for the year 1777 did not include the
+capture of Philadelphia. Howe had been ordered to march from New York,
+which he had taken the preceding August, to the vicinity of Albany.
+There he was to join forces with the army from Canada under General
+Burgoyne, which was to penetrate northern New York. Why he elected to
+march against Philadelphia and be obliged to retrace his steps in order
+to reach Burgoyne was unknown at the time. The total collapse of
+Burgoyne's expedition at Saratoga and the menace of the American Army
+under General Washington obliged him to alter his plan and to remain in
+the vicinity of Philadelphia, which city he made his headquarters for
+the winter.
+
+In the meantime the army of General Washington, which had been
+continually harassing the English forces, went into winter quarters in
+close proximity, at Valley Forge, a bare twenty miles distant, northwest
+of the city. Here the little army of the Colonists menaced the position
+of the British while enduring with heroic fortitude the severities of
+the winter season. Shoeless and shivering, the soldiers prepared these
+winter quarters of cold huts, rudely constructed; themselves overcoated
+in torn blankets, with stuffed straw in their boots for want of
+stockings. Their food was as scarce as their clothing and at one time
+more than two thousand men were reported unfit for duty because barefoot
+and otherwise naked. Many a night the men were compelled to remain
+seated by the fire for want of blankets. Day by day the supply of fuel
+diminished, and the neighborhood became more destitute of trees and
+timber.
+
+The morale of the troops seemed to feed on misfortune; but their hopes
+and courage were suddenly intensified when the news of the Alliance with
+France reverberated throughout the camp to the booming of cannon and the
+shouts of the whole army. There was no respite, however. While the enemy
+was living in luxury and comfort in the gay city, the Continentals under
+the patience of Washington, and the military genius of Von Steuben, were
+being rounded into a toughened and well drilled fighting machine, strong
+in organization and bold in spirit, a worthy match for the rapid and
+accurate movements for which the better equipped British army was
+becoming famous.
+
+That Sir William Howe found it easier to loiter in Philadelphia than to
+play a strategic game against Washington in the depths of an American
+winter, was due no less to the want of decision which characterized all
+of his actions than to the stupid mismanagement with which the campaign
+of 1777 was directed. The British had gained the two most important
+American cities, New York and Philadelphia, but the entire American army
+was still in the field. The acquisition of territory was of no military
+importance while the forces of the enemy remained intact and well
+organized. Moreover, Burgoyne was left to his fate and at Saratoga an
+army was lost.
+
+Nor was any advantage to be derived from the possession of the American
+capital. Washington's position at Valley Forge had held the British in
+check all winter. And whatever of work the Congress was required to do
+could as well be done at York as at Philadelphia. As a basis for
+military operation the city was without value, for it was difficult to
+defend and hard to supply with foodstuffs. But it was rich,
+extravagant, fashionable, a "place of crucifying expenses," and its
+fine houses, good pavements, and regular arrangement of streets,
+impressed Howe as the most fitting place for the British Army to
+establish winter quarters. And so they sat down to wait for spring.
+
+
+III
+
+"We shall never forget the splendor of it all; it was wonderful!"
+exclaimed Peggy with a deep sigh.
+
+"A farewell party!" said Marjorie. "Undoubtedly the gallant Britishers
+outdid themselves. Howe leaves soon, does he not?"
+
+"Yes. Next week."
+
+"Which means that the period of entertaining is about to come to an
+end."
+
+"I suppose. But wasn't the winter glorious? I shall never forget it."
+
+A smile covered her face, dotting her cheeks with two tiny dimples. She
+held her hands together over her knees while she sat quite motionless,
+her eyes looking out into the darkness of the room.
+
+Presently she bethought herself.
+
+"Let us light the tapers!" she announced, jumping up from the sofa.
+
+"It is late," Marjorie remarked, as she, too, prepared to arise. "I must
+leave for home."
+
+"Stay! It is still early. Soon we shall be obliged to settle into
+quietude. Dark days are before us."
+
+"Why!" Marjorie exclaimed. "I should think that the future augurs well.
+I do wish the soldiers would evacuate the city."
+
+"When General Howe leaves, all may as well leave with him."
+
+"When does he leave, did you say?" impatiently asked her true American
+friend.
+
+"Next week, I understand. The great Mischienza, you know, was arranged
+in his honor as a farewell celebration."
+
+"General Clinton, I presume, will succeed. He seems the most logical
+choice."
+
+"Yes. He already has been appointed to the supreme command."
+
+"I hope he decides to evacuate."
+
+"I do not know. Perhaps," was the sole response.
+
+But it already had been decided. Upon the departure of General Howe,
+instructions were forwarded from the ministry to Sir Henry Clinton, the
+new Commander-in-chief, to evacuate the city at once. The imminent
+arrival of the French fleet, together with the increasing menace of the
+Continental Army at Valley Forge, constituted a grave peril to the
+isolated army of the British. Hence it was determined that the capital
+city must be abandoned.
+
+Clinton intended to transfer his army to New York by water in order that
+the bulk of his forces might be concentrated for the spring campaign. On
+account of the vast number of Tories who, apprehensive of their personal
+effects, had begged to be transferred with him, he was obliged to forego
+his original intention of sailing by water in favor of a march overland.
+Accordingly on the morning of June 18, 1778, the rear-guard of the
+British marched out of the city and on that same afternoon the American
+advance entered and took possession with Major General Benedict Arnold,
+the hero of Saratoga, as Military Governor.
+
+The joy of the Whig populace knew no bounds. No longer would the
+shadows of dark despair and abandoned hope hang like a pall over the
+capital city. No longer would the stately residences of the Tory element
+be thrown open for the diversion and the junket of the titled gentry. No
+more would the soldiery of an hostile army loiter about the street
+corners or while away the hours at the Taverns or at the Coffee Houses.
+The Congress was about to return. The city would again become the
+political as well as the civic center of American affairs. The people
+would be ruled by a governor of their own accord and sympathy.
+Philadelphia was to enter into its own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+I
+
+"It won't do, I tell you. And the sooner he realizes this the more
+satisfactory will it become for all concerned."
+
+"Sh-h-h," answered Mrs. Allison in a seemingly heedless manner. She was
+seated by the side window in her old rocker, intent only on her three
+needles and the ball of black yarn. "Judge not, that you may not be
+judged!" she reminded him.
+
+"He is too imprudent. Only today he contemptuously dismissed the Colonel
+and the secretary; later he requested them to dine with him. We don't
+like it, I tell you."
+
+As a matter of fact, there was no more staunch defender or constant
+advocate of the cause of the Colonists than Matthew Allison himself; and
+when the proclamation of the new Military Governor ordering the closing
+of the shops and the suspension of business in general until the
+question of ownership was established, had been issued, he was among the
+first of the citizens to comply with it. True, his sole source of income
+had been temporarily suspended. But what matter? It meant order and
+prevented the wares from falling into the hands of the enemy. His small
+shop had enabled himself together with his wife and daughter to eke out
+a comfortable existence. Their cozy home while unmistakably plain and
+unadorned with the finer appointments indicative of opulence,
+nevertheless was not without charm and cheeriness. It was delightful in
+simplicity and neat arrangement.
+
+Allison had welcomed the entry of General Arnold into the city as a hero
+coming into his own, but he was not slow in perceiving that the
+temperament of the man rendered him an unhappy choice for the
+performance of the onerous duties which the successful administration of
+the office required. Readily and with genuine satisfaction did he yield
+to the initial mandate of the Governor; but when the scent of luxury
+from this same Governor's house, the finest mansion in the city and the
+identical one lately occupied by the British commander, was diffused
+throughout the city causing murmurs of criticism and dissension, Matthew
+Allison forgot for the moment his oath of fealty and gave expression to
+pain and dissatisfaction.
+
+"Why allow yourself to be disturbed at his manner of living?" asked his
+wife, picking up the conversation at the point where he had left it.
+
+"And you and I and the vast majority of us sacrificing our all. Why they
+tell me that his quarters abound in luxury to a degree never excelled by
+Howe himself."
+
+"Well!" was the simple reply.
+
+"And the Massachusetts Regiment has been appointed his guard of honor;
+and that two armed soldiers have been stationed at the doorposts."
+
+Allison spoke with evident passion, the ardor of which pervaded his
+entire being.
+
+"And yet I dare say you would be the first to disapprove of the other
+extreme," admonished Mrs. Allison in her soft and gentle way. "Under
+martial law you know, there must be no relaxation of discipline,
+notwithstanding the fact that the Americans once more control the city."
+
+"Laxity or no laxity, it is extravagant for him to be housed in the
+finest mansion in the city with a retinue of servants and attendants
+only excelled by Sir William Howe; to be surrounded by a military guard
+of selective choice; to maintain a coach and four with footmen and
+servants, all equipped with livery of the most exclusive design; to live
+in the greatest splendor, notwithstanding the avowed republican
+simplicity of the country as well as the distressed condition of our
+affairs and finances. Who is paying for this extravagance? We, of
+course. We are being taxed and supertaxed for this profligate waste
+while our shops are closed to all future trade. These are not alone my
+opinions; they are the expressions of the men about town. This was the
+sole topic of conversation today at the Coffee House."
+
+For where else would the news of the day be found if not on the street
+corners or at the Coffee House? This latter institution, like its London
+prototype, was the chief organ through which the public opinion of the
+metropolis continually asserted itself. Its convenience lay in its
+adaptability for the making of appointments at any hour of the day, or
+for the passing of an evening socially for a very small charge. It had
+its characters who became as famous as the institution itself, its
+orators to whose eloquence the crowd listened with admiration, its
+medical men who might be consulted on any malady merely for the asking,
+its poets and humorists who in winter occupied the chairs of learning
+nearest the stove and in summer held the choice places on the balcony,
+and who discoursed fables and politics with renewed embellishment upon
+the advent of every newcomer. The atmosphere always reeked with the
+fumes of tobacco. Nowhere else was smoking more constant than at the
+Coffee House. And why any one would leave his own home and fireside to
+sit amid such eternal fog, was a mystery to every good housewife. But
+every man of the upper or the middle class went daily to the Coffee
+House to learn and discuss the news of the day.
+
+"I suppose Jim Cadwalader waxed warm today on the subject and gave you
+inspiration," submitted Mrs. Allison. "Why do you not suspend your
+judgment for a while until you learn more about the Governor,--at any
+rate give him the benefit of a doubt until you have some facts," mildly
+replied Mrs. Allison with that gentle manner and meekness of temper
+which was characteristic of her.
+
+"Facts!" said he, "I am telling you that these are facts. The Colonel
+saw this, I tell you, for he dined with him. And I want to tell you
+this," he announced pointing towards her, "he hates the Catholics and is
+strongly opposed to any alliance with a Catholic country."
+
+"Never mind, my dear. We cannot suffer for that."
+
+"I know, but it may concern us sooner or later. Our fathers endured
+severe tortures at the hands of a bigoted Government, and if the new
+republic gives promise of such unhappy tidings, we may as well leave the
+earth."
+
+"I would not take any undue alarm," quietly answered Mrs. Allison as her
+deft fingers sped on with the knitting. "General Washington is
+broad-minded enough to appreciate our loyalty and our spirit of
+self-sacrifice. And besides the new French Alliance will prevent any of
+the intolerance which made itself manifest in the person of King
+George. With a Catholic ally, the government cannot very well denounce
+the Catholics as you will discover from the repealing of several of the
+laws which rendered life more or less obnoxious in some of the colonies.
+And I think, too, that we have given more than our share to the cause.
+With so much to our credit, no public official, whatever his natural
+inclination, can afford to visit his bigotry on us. I would not worry
+about General Arnold. He will not molest us, I am sure."
+
+"I don't think that he pleases me anyway."
+
+"And why?" she paused to ask. "Because he maintains too expensive a
+livery, or has surrounded himself by too many attendants?"
+
+"No. I dislike the man. I do not like his traits."
+
+"It is unkind of you to say that. Who enjoys a greater reputation for
+skill or bravery or personal courage than he? What would have become of
+Gates, or our army, or the French Alliance were he not at Saratoga, and
+there too without a command, you must remember."
+
+"I know all that, but he is too blunt, too headstrong, too proud,
+too----"
+
+Marjorie's figure at the door interrupted him.
+
+
+II
+
+Although Mistress Allison was not twenty, she maintained the composure
+of a married woman, sedate and reserved like the matrons of this period.
+Her dress was neat and well chosen, a chintz cotton gown, of a very
+pretty blue stamp, blue silk quilt and a spotted figured apron. The
+vivacity of her manner and the winsomeness of her behavior were
+prepossessing, and she was beautiful to look upon: her complexion as
+dazzling white as snow in sunshine; except her cheeks, which were a
+bright red; and her lips, of a still deeper crimson. Her small oval face
+was surmounted by a wealth of dark brown hair, craped up with two rolls
+on each side and topped with a small cap of beautiful gauze and rich
+lace,--a style most becoming to a girl of her age. Health, activity,
+decision were written full upon her, whether in the small foot which
+planted itself on the ground, firm but flexible, or in the bearing of
+her body, agile or lofty.
+
+She was the only child of Mr. Allison and a much admired member of the
+city's middle class. And while it is true that a certain equality in
+class and social refinement was an attribute of the American people
+which found great favor in the eyes of the older world inhabitants, it
+is equally true that this equality was more seeming than real. This was
+due to a great extent to the distinction established by the wealth and
+the liberties enjoyed by the various classes of people. It was said, and
+not without a semblance of truth, that the inhabitants of Philadelphia
+were rated according to their fortunes. The first class was known as the
+carriage folk, who proclaimed, almost without exception, their pretended
+descent from the ancient English families by their coats of arms
+imprinted upon their carriage doors. The second class was composed of
+the merchants, lawyers, and business men of the city; and the third
+class, were those who exercised the mechanical arts. These felt their
+social inferiority and never hoped for any association with the upper
+classes. The Allisons were of the middle rank, and were looked upon as
+its most respected members.
+
+Plain, simple-living folk, they made no pretense to display. Neither did
+they affect aristocracy. Their manner of living was as comfortable as
+their modest means would allow. It was a common habit for the people of
+this class to indulge in luxury far beyond their resources and no small
+amount of this love of ostentation was attributed to the daughters of
+the families. In this respect Marjorie offended not in the least.
+Whether assisting her father in the shop during the busy hours, or
+presiding at the Coffee House, or helping her mother with the affairs of
+the household, she was equally at home. Neither the brilliance of the
+social function, nor the pleasures of the dance roused unusual desires
+in her. Indeed she seldom participated in such entertainments, unless on
+the invitation and in company with the Shippen family with whom she was
+on the most intimate terms of friendship. The gay winter season of the
+British occupation of the city produced no change in her manner or
+attire. The dazzling spectacle of the Mischienza found her secluded in
+her home, more from her own desire than from her pretended deference to
+the wishes of her mother.
+
+Her happiness was in her homelife. This was the center of her affection
+as well as of her tenderest solicitude. Here she busied herself daily,
+either in the care of the house, and the preparation of the meals, which
+were by no means sumptuous owing to the scarcity of all foodstuffs, or
+at the wheel where she made shirtings and the sheetings for the army. A
+touch of her hand here and there, to this chair, slightly out of place,
+to this cup or that plate in the china-chest, to the miniature on the
+wall, leaning slightly to one side, or the whisk of her sweeping-brush
+through the silver-sand on the floor, transformed a disorderly aspect
+into one of neatness and taste. It was here that she spent her days,
+enduring their unvarying monotony, with sweet and unbroken contentment.
+
+As she hurriedly entered the house, she arrested the attention of her
+father and put a period to the conversation.
+
+"Oh, Father, have you heard?"
+
+"What news now, child!"
+
+"Washington has engaged the British."
+
+"And how fared?"
+
+"They were compelled to withdraw."
+
+"Thank God."
+
+"Where, Marjorie, did you come by this good news?" inquired the mother.
+
+"At the State House. A courier arrived from Monmouth with the tidings,"
+answered Marjorie, still nervous to narrate the story, and forgetting to
+remove her hat.
+
+"When did this happen?" asked her father, impatiently.
+
+"It seems that General Washington started in pursuit of Clinton as soon
+as he had evacuated the city. He had decided that an attack must be made
+as soon as possible. When the British reached Allentown, they found the
+American army gaining the front and so they turned towards Monmouth.
+Near the Court House the British were outflanked and the Americans
+gained the superior ground and so the battle was won. Then General Lee
+ordered a retreat."
+
+"A retreat?" exploded Mr. Allison. "What for?"
+
+"I do not know, but that was the report. Lee retreated when Washington
+arrived on the scene," continued Marjorie.
+
+"And then?"
+
+"He rallied the troops to another front and began the attack anew,
+driving the British back a considerable distance. Nightfall ended the
+battle, and when day broke, Clinton had withdrawn."
+
+"And Lee ordered a retreat!" exclaimed Mr. Allison. "A damned poltroon!"
+
+"All say the same. The crowd was furious upon hearing the message,
+although some thought it too incredible. The joy of victory, however,
+made them forget the disgraceful part."
+
+"My faith in him has never faltered," quietly observed Mrs. Allison, as
+she prepared to resume the knitting from which she had ceased on the
+sudden entry of Marjorie.
+
+"And his pretended friends must now croak forth his praises," rejoined
+her husband.
+
+"There were shouts and cheers," continued Marjorie, "as the news was
+being announced. Each newcomer would add another detail to the story
+with beaming delight. All said that the retreat from the city and the
+defeat of the British augured a speedy termination of the war. The
+country is wholly united again under General Washington."
+
+"And what will become of Lee?" asked the father.
+
+"The traitor!" snapped Marjorie. "They ought to court-martial him. The
+crowd greeted his name with hisses when the details began to impress
+themselves upon them. I dare say, he has few friends in the city
+tonight, expect perhaps among the Tories. He is a disgrace to the
+uniform he wears."
+
+"Undoubtedly, the losses were heavy."
+
+"No one seemed to know. The minor details of the engagement are still
+unknown. They will come later. The consoling feature is that the enemy
+were compelled to withdraw, which would indicate that they were worsted.
+The remnants, I suppose, will concentrate at New York. There will occur
+the next great battle."
+
+"God grant that it will soon be over," exclaimed Mrs. Allison.
+
+"And now, daughter, have you more news?" asked her father.
+
+"Oh, yes! General Arnold is going to give a ball at the City Tavern on
+the Fourth of July to the officers of the French Army. It will be under
+the auspices of the American officers of Washington's command and in
+honor of the loyal ladies who had withheld from the Mischienza. And I
+have been invited to attend."
+
+"I should think that we have had enough of social life here during the
+past winter," quietly announced the father.
+
+"Well," replied Marjorie, "this affair is to exclude all who
+participated in the English Army festivities. Only Americans will be
+present."
+
+"How did you come by this report?" asked her mother.
+
+"Peggy Shippen. I stopped there for a short time. They told me of the
+proposed invitation and that I was included."
+
+"How came they by the news?"
+
+"I suppose General Arnold told them."
+
+"Is he acquainted with them? I wonder----"
+
+"Yes. They were presented to him, and he has already honored them with
+his visit."
+
+"I don't like this," said Mr. Allison, "and you can be assured that
+there will be little restriction as to the company who will comprise
+this assemblage. The Governor will take sides with the wealthy, be their
+sympathies what they may. Well, if he establish the precedent, I dare
+say, none will be so determined as to oppose him. Do you wish to go,
+daughter?"
+
+"I think I might enjoy it. The French soldiers are so gallant, I might
+find much pleasure there."
+
+"Very well, you shall attend," said her father.
+
+
+III
+
+And so it was decided that Marjorie would be present at the Governor's
+Ball. As custom did not require mothers to accompany their daughters to
+such functions, but allowed them to go unattended, Mrs. Allison
+preferred to remain at home. To what splendor and gayety the affair
+would lend itself was a matter of much speculation. This was the
+Governor's first event, and no one was aware of his prowess on the
+ballroom floor.
+
+Once the list of invitations had become public, it was understood quite
+generally that no distinction was made between those that had, and those
+that had not, attended the Mischienza. Whether the number would be
+surprisingly small, or whether the affair would fail of success without
+the Mischienza ladies, could not be foretold. Indeed such speculations
+were idle, since no discrimination had been made. There were a number of
+young French Officers in the town and one or two of General Washington's
+aides had remained because of the pressure of immediate business after
+the British evacuation. These of course would attend. All the other
+available young men belonged to the families who had held a more or less
+neutral position in the war, and who had not offered their services to
+the patriots nor yielded allegiance to the foe. As these neutrals were
+among the most prominent people of the city, their presence would, of
+course, be altogether desirable.
+
+Marjorie was invited through the efforts of Peggy Shippen, who had
+proposed her name to His Excellency on the occasion of his visit to her
+house. She would be included in their party and would be assigned a
+partner befitting her company. Because of the prominence of the
+Shippens, it was thought that the gallant young French Officers, would
+be assigned to them. Marjorie rejoiced at this although the Shippen
+girls evinced no such sentiment. Whether it was because the French
+alliance was distasteful to them or because their Tory leanings took
+precedence, they preferred other guests for partners. But as the matter
+was to be decided by lot, their likings were not consulted.
+
+Ere long the city was agog with speculation respecting the coming ball.
+The battle of Monmouth was accorded a second place. The disdain of the
+middle class, who had been embittered against such demonstrations by the
+profligacy displayed during the days of the British occupation, soon
+began to make itself felt. That it was the first official or formal
+function of the new republic mattered little. A precedent was about to
+be established. There was to be a continuation of the shameful
+extravagance which they had been compelled to witness during the winter
+and which they feared they would be forced to maintain for another
+protracted period. Living was high, extremely high, and the value of the
+paper currency had depreciated to almost nothing. Indeed it was said
+that a certain barber in the town had papered his entire shop with the
+bills and that a dog had been led up and down the streets, smeared with
+tar, and adorned cap-a-pie with paper money. To feed and clothe the army
+was expense enough without being compelled to pay for the splendors of a
+military ball. Small wonder that the coming event aroused no ordinary
+speculation.
+
+Nevertheless preparations went on with growing vigor and magnificence,
+and not the least interested was Marjorie. The event was now awaited
+with painful anxiety. Even the war for a moment was relegated to a place
+of minor import.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+I
+
+An imposing spectacle greeted Marjorie's eyes as she made her way in
+company with the Shippen girls into the ballroom of the City Tavern. The
+hall was superb, of a charming style of architecture, well furnished and
+lighted, and brilliantly decorated with a profusion of American and
+French flags arranged in festoons and trianguloids and drapings
+throughout its entire length and breadth, its atmosphere vocal with the
+strains of martial music. Everywhere were women dressed with elegance
+and taste. The Tory ladies, gowned in the height of fashion, were to
+Marjorie a revelation at once amazing and impressive.
+
+On a raised dais sat the Governor in his great chair. He was clothed in
+the regulation buff and blue uniform of a Major General of the
+Continental Army. On his shoulders he wore the epaulets and about his
+waist the sword knots General Washington had presented to him the
+preceding May. He bore also upon his person the most eloquent of martial
+trophies, for his leg, wounded at Quebec and Saratoga, rested heavily on
+a small cushion before him.
+
+Marjorie who saw him for the first time, was attracted at once by his
+manly bearing and splendid physique. His frame was large, his shoulders
+broad, his body inclined to be fleshy. His very presence, however, was
+magnetic, still his manner was plain and without affectation. He looked
+the picture of dignity and power as he received the guests in their turn
+and greeted each with a pointed and pleasant remark.
+
+"Isn't he a handsome figure?" whispered Peggy to Marjorie as they made
+their way slowly to the dais.
+
+Marjorie acquiesced in the judgment. He was still young, hardly more
+than thirty-five, his weather-beaten face darkened to bronze from
+exposure. His features were large and clean cut with the power of
+decision written full upon them. A firm and forcible chin, with heavy
+lines playing about his mouth; eyes, large and black, that seemed to
+take toll of everything that transpired about them, suggested a man of
+extravagant energy, of violent and determined tenacity in the face of
+opposition. No one could look upon his imposing figure without calling
+to mind his martial achievements--the exploits of Canada, of the Mohawk,
+of Bemis Heights.
+
+"So this is your little friend," said he to Peggy, eyeing Marjorie as
+she made her presentation courtesy. He was now standing, though resting
+heavily on his cane with his left hand.
+
+"Mistress Allison, this privilege is a happy one. I understand that you
+are a violent little patriot." He smiled as he gently took her hand.
+
+"I am very pleased, Your Excellency. This is an occasion of rare delight
+to me."
+
+"And are you so intensely loyal? Your friends love you for your
+devotion, although I sometimes think that they miss General Howe," and
+he smiled in the direction of Peggy as he turned to her with this
+remark.
+
+"You know, General," Peggy was always ready with an artful reply, "I
+told you that I was neither the one nor the other; and that I wore
+black and white at the Mischienza, the colors now worn by our American
+soldiers in their cockades in token of the French and American
+Alliance."
+
+"So you did. I had almost forgotten."
+
+"And that there were some American gentlemen present, as well, although
+aged non-combatants," she continued with a subtle smile.
+
+"For which reason," he responded, "you would, I suppose, have it assume
+a less exclusive appearance."
+
+"Oh, no! I do not mean that. It was after all a very private affair,
+arranged solely in honor of General Howe."
+
+"Were some of these young ladies at the Mischienza? And who were they
+that rewarded the gallant knights?" he asked.
+
+"Well, the Chew girls, and my sisters, and Miss Franks. There was Miss
+White, and Miss Craig," she repeated the list one after the other as her
+eyes searched the company assembled in the hall. "And that girl in the
+corner, Miss Bond, and beyond her, her sister: then there was Miss
+Smith. Miss Bond I am told is engaged to one of your best Generals, Mr.
+John Robinson."
+
+"We are accustomed to call Mr. Robinson, General Robinson in the army,"
+he ventured with a smile.
+
+She blushed slightly. "We call him Mr. Robinson in society, or sometimes
+Jack."
+
+"And who might have been your gallant knight? May I ask?"
+
+"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," was her proud reply.
+
+"And who has the good fortune to be your knight for this occasion?" he
+questioned, seeking in their hands the billet of the evening.
+
+"We do not know," Marjorie murmured. "We have not as yet met the Master
+of Ceremonies."
+
+He looked about him, in search evidently of some one. "Colonel
+Wilkinson!" he called to a distinguished looking officer on his right,
+"have these fair ladies been assigned to partners?"
+
+The Colonel advanced and presented them with their billets, which were
+numbered and which bore the name of the partner that was to accompany
+them during the entire evening. Peggy opened hers and found the name of
+Colonel Jean Boudinot, a young French Officer. Marjorie saw written upon
+hers a name unknown to her, "Captain Stephen Meagher, aide-de-camp."
+
+"Captain Meagher!" exclaimed the Governor. "He is one of General
+Washington's aides, detailed for the present in the city. Do you know
+him?"
+
+"No," replied Marjorie timidly, "I do not, I am sorry to say. I have
+never had the privilege of meeting him."
+
+"There he is now," said he, indicating with a gesture of the eyes a tall
+young officer who stood with his back toward them.
+
+Marjorie looked in the direction indicated. A becomingly tall and erect
+figure, clad in a long blue coat met her gaze. Further scrutiny
+disclosed the details of a square cut coat, with skirts hooked back
+displaying a buff lining, and with lappets, cuff-linings and standing
+capes of like color. His bearing was overmastering as he stood at
+perfect ease, his hand resting gently on a small sword hanging at his
+side; his right wrist showed a delicate lace ruffle as he gestured to
+and fro in his conversation. As he slightly turned in her direction, she
+saw that he wore his hair drawn back from the face, with a gentle roll
+on each side, well powdered and tied in a cue behind. His features were
+pleasant to look upon, not large but finely chiseled and marked with
+expression. Marjorie thought what a handsome figure he made as he stood
+in earnest conversation, dominating the little group who surrounded him
+and followed his every move with interest and attention.
+
+"Let me call him," suggested the Governor to Marjorie who at that moment
+stood with her eyes fixed on the Captain. "I am sure he will be pleased
+to learn the identity of his fair partner," he added facetiously.
+
+"Oh! do," agreed Peggy. "It would afford pleasure to all of us to meet
+him."
+
+The General whispered a word to an attendant who immediately set off in
+the direction of the unconcerned Captain. As the latter received the
+message he turned, looked in the direction of the dais and gazed
+steadily at the Governor and his company. His eyes met Marjorie's and
+she was sure that he saw her alone. The thought thrilled her through and
+through. He excused himself from the company of his circle, and as he
+directed his footsteps towards her, she noted his neat and close fitting
+buff waistcoat, and his immaculate linen revealing itself at the throat
+and ruffled wrists. Nor did she fail to observe that he wore a buff
+cockade on his left breast and gilt epaulets upon his shoulders.
+
+"Captain Meagher," announced General Arnold. "I have the honor of
+presenting you to your partner for the evening, Mistress Allison."
+
+Marjorie courtesied gracefully to his courtly acknowledgment.
+
+"And the Misses Shippen, the belles of the Mischienza!"
+
+Stephen bowed profoundly.
+
+"I was just remarking, Captain, that General Washington has honored you
+with a special mission, and that you have run away from your duties
+tonight to mingle with the social life of the city."
+
+"Or rather, Your Excellency, to acquaint myself with their society,"
+Stephen replied good-naturedly.
+
+"Then you do not relax, even for an evening," inquired Peggy, with a
+coquettish turn of the head.
+
+"It is the duty of a soldier never to relax." Stephen's reply was more
+naïve than usual.
+
+"And yet one's hours are shortened by pleasure and action," continued
+Peggy.
+
+"As a recreation it is far sweeter than as a business. It soon exhausts
+us, however, and it is the greatest incentive to evil."
+
+"But you dance?" interrupted the General.
+
+"Oh, yes! Your Excellency," replied Stephen, "after a fashion."
+
+"Well, your partner is longing for the music. Come, let ye assemble."
+
+And as the dance was announced, the first one being dedicated to "The
+Success of the Campaign," Stephen and Marjorie moved off and took their
+places. Peggy and her sisters were soon attended and followed. They were
+soon lost in the swirl of excitement among the throng.
+
+
+II
+
+"And you live alone with your father and mother?"
+
+Marjorie and her partner were sitting in a distant corner whither they
+had wandered at the conclusion of the dance. Stephen began to find
+himself taking an unusual interest in this girl and was inquiring
+concernedly about her home life.
+
+"Yes, Father's time is much consumed with his attention to the shop.
+Mother and I find plenty to occupy us about the house. Then I relieve
+Father at times, and so divide my hours between them," quietly answered
+Marjorie.
+
+"You have not as yet told me your name," Stephen reminded her.
+
+"Marjorie," was the timid reply.
+
+"Marjorie!" Then, taking advantage of her averted look, he stole secret
+glances at her small round face, her lips, firmly set but curving
+upwards, her rose-pink cheeks. Presently, his eye rested on her
+finger-ring, a cameo with what looked like an ectypal miniature of the
+"Ecce Homo." Was this girl of his faith?
+
+"Marjorie Allison," he repeated again. "Do you know that sounds like a
+Catholic name?"
+
+"It is," Marjorie replied proudly. "Our family have been Catholics for
+generations."
+
+"Mine have, too," Stephen gladly volunteered the information. "Irish
+Catholics with a history behind them."
+
+"Is your home here?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"Here in this country, yes," admitted her escort. "But I live in New
+York and it was there I volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and saw
+my first service in the New York campaign."
+
+"And are your parents there, too?" inquired the girl.
+
+And then he told her that his father and mother and only sister lived
+there and that when the war broke out he determined to enlist in company
+with a number of his friends, the younger men of the neighborhood. How
+he took part in the campaign about New York and his "contribution to our
+defeat," as he styled it. Of the severe winter at Valley Forge and his
+appointment by Washington to his staff. She listened with keen interest
+but remained silent until the end.
+
+"And now you are in the city on detailed duty?"
+
+"Yes. Work of a private nature for the Commander-in-chief."
+
+"It must be a source of satisfaction to be responsive to duty," observed
+Marjorie.
+
+"It is God's medicine to detach us from the things of this world. For,
+after all has been said and done, it is love alone which elevates one's
+service above the domain of abject slavery. In such a manner do the
+commands of heaven afford the richest consolations to the soul."
+
+"And still, a certain routine must manifest itself at times."
+
+"Not when the habit is turned to pleasure."
+
+"You are a philosopher, then?"
+
+"No. Just a mere observer of men and their destinies."
+
+"Have you included the duration of the war in your legitimate
+conclusions?"
+
+"It is not over yet, and it will not terminate, I think, without an
+improvement in the present condition of affairs. The proposed help from
+France must become a reality of no ordinary proportion, else the
+discordant factions will achieve dire results. Tell me," he said,
+suddenly changing the topic of conversation, "were you in attendance at
+the Mischienza?"
+
+"No, I did not care to attend."
+
+"I would I had been present."
+
+"You would have been expelled in your present capacity."
+
+"Ah, yes! But I would have affected a disguise."
+
+"You would expect to obtain important information?" She fingered her
+gown of pink satin as she spoke, oblivious of everything save the
+interest of the conversation.
+
+"I might possibly have stumbled across some items of value."
+
+"None were there save the British Officers and their Tory friends, you
+know."
+
+"A still greater reason for my desire to be present. And why did you not
+dance attendance?" This question was frank.
+
+"Do you really want to know my sole reason?" She looked at him somewhat
+suspicious, somewhat reliant, awaiting her womanly instinct to reveal to
+her the rectitude of her judgment.
+
+"I should not have asked, otherwise," Stephen gravely replied.
+
+"Well, it was for the simple reason that my soul would burn within me if
+I permitted myself to indulge in such extravagance and gayety the while
+our own poor boys were bleeding to death at Valley Forge."
+
+Stephen grasped her hand and pressed it warmly. "You are a true
+patriot," was all he could say.
+
+Whether it was his emotion for the cause of his country or the supreme
+satisfaction afforded him by the knowledge that this girl was loyal to
+the cause, Stephen did not know, nor did he try to discover. He knew
+that he was thrilled with genuine gratification and that he was joyously
+happy over the thought which now relieved his mind. Somehow or other he
+earnestly desired to find this girl an ardent patriot, yet he had dared
+not ask her too bluntly. From the moment she had entered the hall in
+company with the other girls, he had singled her alone in the midst of
+the company. And, when the summons came to him from the Governor, he had
+seen her standing at the side of the dais, and her alone. Little did he
+suspect, however, that she bore his billet, nor did he presume to wish
+for the pleasure of her exclusive company for the evening.
+
+She danced with grace and was wholly without affectation. How sweet she
+looked; pink gown, pink flowers, pink ribbon, pink cheeks! How
+interesting her conversation, yet so reserved and dignified! But she
+lived in the city and the city he knew teemed with Loyalists. Was she
+one of these! He dared not ask her. To have her so declare herself
+enraptured him. She was one of his own after all.
+
+Moreover she was one with him in religious belief--that was a distinct
+comfort. Catholics were not numerous, and to preserve the faith was no
+slight struggle. He was thoroughly conversant with the state of affairs
+in the province of New York where Catholics could not, because of the
+iniquitous law and the prescribed oath of office, become naturalized as
+citizens of the state. He knew how New Jersey had excluded Roman
+Catholics from office, and how North and South Carolina had adopted the
+same iniquitous measure. Pennsylvania was one of the few colonies
+wherein all penal laws directed against the Catholics had been
+absolutely swept away. To meet with a member of his own persecuted
+Church, especially one so engaging and so interesting as Marjorie, was a
+source of keen joy and an unlooked-for happiness.
+
+"You will not deny me the pleasure of paying my respects to your father
+and mother?" Stephen asked.
+
+She murmured something as he let go her hand. Stephen thought she had
+said, "I had hoped that you would come."
+
+"Tomorrow?" he ventured.
+
+"I shall be pleased to have you sup with us," she smiled as she made the
+soft reply.
+
+"Tomorrow then it shall be."
+
+They rose to take their part in the next dance.
+
+
+III
+
+As the evening wore on Peggy, wearied of the dance, sought a secluded
+corner of the great room to compose herself. She had been disappointed
+in her lottery, for she detested the thought of being a favor for a
+French officer and had taken care to so express herself at home long
+before. She could not rejoice at Marjorie's good fortune as she thought
+it, and found little of interest and less of pleasure in the evening's
+doings.
+
+She was aroused from her solitude and made radiant on the instant at
+sight of the Military Governor, limping his way across the hall in her
+direction. He had seen her seated alone, and his heart urged him to her
+side. With the lowest bow of which he was then capable, he sought the
+pleasure of her company. Her color heightened, she smiled graciously
+with her gray-blue eyes, and accepted his hand. He led the way to the
+banquet room and thence to the balcony, where they might hear the music
+and view the dancing, for his lameness made dancing impossible.
+
+"I hesitate to condemn a young lady to a prison seat, when the stately
+minuet sends a summons," he said as he led her to a chair a little to
+one side of the balcony.
+
+"You should have thought of that before you made us cast lots," she
+replied quickly. "I was wearying of the rounds of pleasure."
+
+"Is the company, then, all too gay?"
+
+"No, rather extravagant."
+
+"You insisted on the Mischienza ladies being present."
+
+"And can you not distinguish them? Do they not appear to better
+advantage than the others? Their gowns are superior, they give evidence
+of more usage in society, their head-dress is higher and of the latest
+fashion."
+
+"And their hearts, their hopes, their sympathies! Where are they?"
+
+"You know where mine lay," she adroitly replied.
+
+"True, you did wear a French cockade," he laughed.
+
+"Please do not call it 'French.' I scorn all things 'French.'"
+
+"They are our allies now, you must know."
+
+"For which I am most sorry. I expect no mercy from that scheming Papist
+country," she replied bitterly.
+
+"But they have lent us much money at a time when our paper currency is
+practically worthless, and the assistance of their fleet is now
+momentarily expected," the General went on to explain.
+
+"And to what purpose? Lord North has proposed to meet our demands most
+liberally and with our constitutional liberties secured, I fail to see
+why further strife is necessary."
+
+"But our independence is not yet secure."
+
+"It was secure after your brilliant victory at Saratoga. With the
+collapse of Burgoyne, England saw that further campaigning in a country
+so far removed from home was disastrous. It only remained to formulate
+some mutual agreement. We have triumphed. Why not be magnanimous? Why
+subject the country to a terrible strain for years for a result neither
+adequate nor secure?"
+
+She talked rapidly, passionately. It was evident from the manner of her
+address that the subject was no new one to her.
+
+"You can be court-martialed for treason?" he remarked with a slight
+smile playing about the heavy lines of his mouth.
+
+"Is it treason to talk of the welfare of the country? I look upon the
+alliance with this Catholic and despotic power as more of an act of
+treason than the total surrender of our armies to King George. To lose
+our independence is one thing; but to subject our fair land to the
+tyranny of the Pope and his emissary, the King of France, is a total
+collapse. Our hopes lie in England alone."
+
+The Governor was struck by this strange reasoning. Why had this mere
+child dared to express the very thoughts which were of late intruding
+themselves upon his mind, but which he dared not permit to cross the
+seal of his lips? She was correct, he thought, in her reasoning, but
+bold in her denunciation. No one else had dared to address such
+sentiments to him. And now he was confronted with a young lady of quick
+wit and ready repartee who spoke passionately the identical reflections
+of his more mature mind. Clearly her reasoning was not without some
+consistency and method.
+
+"I am afraid that you are a little Tory." He could not allow this girl
+to think that she had impressed him in the least.
+
+"Because I am frank in the expression of my views?" She turned and with
+arched eyebrows surveyed him. "Pardon me, if you will, but I would have
+taken no such liberty with any other person. You gave me that privilege
+when you forbade my alluding to your former brilliant exploits."
+
+"But I did not want you to become a Tory."
+
+He spoke with emphasis.
+
+"I am not a Tory I tell you."
+
+"But you are not a Whig?"
+
+"What, an ordinary shop maid!"
+
+"They are true patriots."
+
+"But of no social standing."
+
+"Tell me why all the Mischienza ladies courtesied to me after so courtly
+a fashion," he asked.
+
+"They like it. It is part of their life. You must know that nothing
+pleases a woman of fashion more than to bow and courtesy before every
+person of royalty, and to count those who precede her out of a room."
+
+"Surely, Margaret, you are no such menial?" He compressed his lips as he
+glanced at her sharply. He had never before called her by her first name
+nor presumed to take this liberty. It was more a slip of the tongue than
+an act of deliberate choice, yet he would not have recalled the word.
+His concern lay in her manner of action.
+
+"And why not a menial?" Evidently she took no notice of his
+presumption, or at least pretended not to do so. "Piety is by no means
+the only motive which brings women to church. Position in life is
+precisely what one makes it."
+
+"Does social prestige appeal to you then?"
+
+"I love it." She did not talk to him directly for her attention was
+being centered upon the activities on the floor. "I think that a woman
+who can dress with taste and distinction possesses riches above all
+computation. See Mrs. Reed, there. How I envy her!"
+
+"The wife of the President of the Council?" he asked apprehensively,
+bending forward in the direction of the floor.
+
+"The same. She enjoys a position of social eminence. How I hate her for
+it." She tapped the floor with her foot as she spoke.
+
+"You mean that you dislike her less than you envy her position?"
+
+Just then her young squire came up and she gave him her hand for a
+minuet, excusing herself to the Governor as graciously as possible.
+
+Scarcely had she disappeared when he began to muse. What a fitting
+companion she would make for a man of his rank and dignity! That she was
+socially ambitious and obsessed with a passion for display he well knew.
+She was not yet twenty but the disparity in their ages,--he was about
+thirty-seven and a widower with three sons,--would be offset by the
+disparity of their stations. No one in the city kept a finer stable of
+horses nor gave more costly dinners than he. Everybody treated him with
+deference, for no one presumed to question his social preëminence. The
+Whigs admired him as their dashing and perhaps their most successful
+General. The Tories liked him because of his aristocratic display and
+his position in regard to the Declaration of Independence. Why not make
+her his bride?
+
+She possessed physical charms and graces in a singular degree. She
+dressed with taste; her wardrobe was of the finest. Aristocratic in her
+bearing, she would be well fitted to assume the position of the first
+lady of the town. Peggy, moreover, possessed a will of her own. This was
+revealed to him more than once during their few meetings, and if proof
+had been wanting, the lack was now abundantly supplied. She would make
+an ideal wife, and he resolved to enter the lists against all suitors.
+
+Her mind was more mature than her years, he thought. This he gleaned
+from her animated discussion of the alliance. And there was, after all,
+more than an ounce of wisdom in her point of view. Mischief brewed in
+the proposed help from a despotic power. His own signal victory ended
+the war if only the Colonists would enter into negotiations or give an
+attentive ear to the liberal proposals of Lord North. The people did not
+desire complete independence and he, for one, had never fully endorsed
+the Declaration. Her point of view was right. Better to accept the
+overtures of our kinsmen than to cast our lot with that Catholic and
+despotic power.
+
+His musings were arrested by the arrival of an aide, who announced that
+he was needed at headquarters. He arose at once to obey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+I
+
+Stephen awoke late the next morning. As he lay with eyes closed, half
+asleep, half awake, the image of his partner of the evening sweetly
+drifted into his dreamy brain, and called up a wealth of associations on
+which he continued to dwell with rare pleasure. But the ominous
+suggestion that her heart could not possibly be free, that perhaps some
+gay officer, or brilliant member of Howe's staff, or a gallant French
+official, many of whom had now infested the town, was a favored
+contestant in the field, filled his mind with the thoughts of dread
+possibilities, and chased away the golden vision that was taking shape.
+He sat upright and, pulling aside the curtains of the little window that
+flanked his bed, he peered into the garden behind the house. The birds
+were singing, but not with the volume or rapture which is their wont in
+the early morning. The sun was high in the heavens and flung its
+reflecting rays from the trees and foliage; whence he concluded that the
+morning was already far advanced and that it was well past the hour for
+him to be astir.
+
+And what a day it was! One of those rare July days when the tints of the
+earth and the hues of the sky though varied in color, seem to blend in
+one beautiful and harmonious whole. The cypress and the myrtle, emblems
+of deeds of virtue and renown, had already donned their summer dress.
+The many flowers bowed gently under the weight of the flitful butterfly,
+or the industrious bee, or tossed to and fro lightly in the arms of the
+morning breeze. Overhead maples, resplendent in their fabric of soft and
+delicate green, arched themselves like fine-spun cobwebs, through which
+filigree the sun projected his rays at irregular and frequent intervals,
+lending only an occasional patch of sunlight here and there to the more
+exposed portions of the garden.
+
+But nature had no power to drive Marjorie's image from his mind. Try as
+he would, he could not distract his attention to the many problems which
+ordinarily would have engaged thoughts. What mattered it to him that the
+French fleet was momentarily expected, or that the Continental Congress
+was again meeting in the city, or that he had met with certain
+suspicious looking individuals during the course of the day! There was
+yet one who looked peculiarly suspicious and who was enveloped, as far
+as his knowledge was concerned, in a veil of mystery of the strangest
+depth. She, indeed, was a flower too fair to blush unseen or unattached.
+His own unworthiness confounded him.
+
+Nevertheless he was determined to call on her that very day, in response
+to her generous invitation of last night, and in accordance too with the
+custom of the time. He would there, perchance, learn more of her, of her
+home, of her life, of her friends. But would he excite in her the
+interest she was exciting in him? The thought of his possible remoteness
+from her, pained him and made his heart sink. The noblest characters
+experience strange sensations of desolation and wretchedness at the
+thought of disapproval and rejection. Esteem, the testimony of our
+neighbor's appreciation, the approval of those worth while, these are
+the things for which we yearn with fondest hopes. To know that we have
+done well is satisfaction, but to know that our efforts and our work are
+valued by others is one of the noblest of pleasures. Stephen longed to
+know how he stood in the lady's esteem, and so her little world was his
+universe.
+
+Dispatching the day's business as best he could, the expectant knight
+set out to storm the castle of his lady. Eager as he was, he did not
+fail to note the imposing majesty of the great trees which lined each
+side of the wide road and arched themselves into a perfect canopy
+overhead. An air of abundance pervaded the whole scene and made him
+quite oblivious of the extreme warmth of the afternoon.
+
+Ere long the little white house of her describing rose before him. He
+had seen it many times in other days, but now it was invested with a new
+and absorbing interest. There it stood, plain yet stately, with a great
+pointed and shingled roof, its front and side walls unbroken save for a
+gentle projection supported by two uniform Doric pillars which served as
+a sort of a portal before the main entrance. Numerous windows with small
+panes of glass, and with trim green shutters thrown full open revealing
+neatly arranged curtains, glinted and glistened in the beams of the
+afternoon sun. The nearer of the two great chimneys which ran up the
+sides, like two great buttresses of an old English abbey, gave
+indications of generous and well-fed fireplaces recessed in the walls of
+the inner rooms. The lawns and walks were uncommonly well kept, and the
+whole atmosphere of the little home was one of comfort and simplicity
+and neatness, suggesting the sweet and serene happiness reigning within.
+
+Stephen closed the gate behind him. A moment later he had seized the
+brass knocker and delivered three moderate blows.
+
+
+II
+
+"Captain Meagher!" gasped a soft voice. "I am so pleased you have come."
+
+"Mistress Allison, the pleasure is indeed mine, I assure you," replied
+Stephen as he grasped her hand, releasing it with a gentle pressure.
+
+She led the way into the narrow hall.
+
+"Mother!" she addressed a sweetly smiling middle-aged woman who now
+stood at her side, "I have the honor of presenting to you, Captain
+Meagher, of the staff of General Washington, my partner of last
+evening." And she betrayed a sense of pride in that bit of history.
+
+Stephen took the matron's hand, for among the Americans the custom
+prevailed of shaking hands, albeit the French visitors of the time
+maintained that it was a "comic custom." Stephen thought it democratic,
+and in keeping with the spirit of the country.
+
+The parlor opened immediately to the right and thither Stephen was
+conducted without further ceremony. Mr. Allison would be in shortly; he
+was as yet busied with the trade at the shop. The old clock at the
+corner of the room, with its quaint figure of Time adorning the top, and
+its slowly moving pendulum, proclaimed the hour of five, the hour when
+the duties of the day came to a close and social life began. The old
+fireplace, black in this season of desuetude, but brilliant in its huge
+brass andirons like two pilasters of gold, caught the eye at the extreme
+end of the room, while in the corner near the window a round mahogany
+tea-table, stood upright like an expanded fan or palm leaf.
+
+Stephen seated himself in a great chair that lay to one side of the
+room.
+
+"I had the good fortune of being your daughter's partner for the
+evening, and I am happy to be enabled to pay my respects to you."
+Stephen addressed Mrs. Allison who was nearer to him on his left.
+
+"Marjorie told me, Captain, of your extreme kindness to her. We
+appreciate it very much. Did she conduct herself becomingly? She is a
+stranger to such brilliant affairs."
+
+"Splendidly!" answered Stephen. "And she danced charmingly," and he
+slyly looked at her as he spoke and thought he detected a faint blush.
+
+"I did not attend on account of its extravagance," remarked Mrs.
+Allison. "I had duties at home, and Marjorie was well attended."
+
+"Indeed!" pronounced Marjorie.
+
+"It was magnificent, to be sure," went on Stephen, "but it will excite
+no uncertain comment. Republican simplicity last night was lost from
+sight."
+
+"Which I scarce approve of," declared Marjorie.
+
+"You did not suit your action to your thought," smiled her mother.
+
+"True," replied the girl, "yet I told you that I was anxious to attend
+simply to behold the novelty of it all. Now that it is over, I
+disapprove of the splendor and extravagance especially in these times of
+need."
+
+"Yes," volunteered Stephen, "she did voice similar sentiments to me last
+evening. Nevertheless she is not alone in her criticism. The _Gazette_
+today publishes a leading article excoriating the Military Governor for
+his use of the teams, which he had commanded under pretense of
+revictualing of the army, for the transportation of his private effects
+to and from the City Tavern. It spells dissatisfaction at best."
+
+"There has been dissatisfaction from the first day on which he took up
+residence at the Slate Roof House," said Mrs. Allison.
+
+The figure of Mr. Allison appeared in the room to the rear. Stephen made
+haste to stand to greet him, expressing his extreme pleasure.
+
+It was a great day for a tradesman when an officer of the Continental
+Army supped at his table. The house was in a mild uproar since Marjorie
+announced the coming distinction on her return from the ball. From the
+kitchen chimney went up a pillar of smoke. Mrs. Allison and two of her
+neighbors who were proud to lend assistance on such an important
+occasion could be seen passing in and out continually. A large roast lay
+simmering and burnished in the pan diffusing savory and provoking fumes
+throughout the house. And it was with distinct pride that Mrs. Allison
+announced to the company that they might take their places about the
+festive board.
+
+The discourse bore on various matters, prominence being given to
+politics and the affairs of the army. Mr. Allison took care to ask no
+question that might give rise to embarrassment on the part of Stephen.
+The complaints of the tradesmen, the charges of the Whigs, the
+murmurings of the Tories and the annoying articles in the morning
+_Gazette_, all, were touched upon in the course of the meal. Stephen
+volunteered the information that Conway and Gates were in hiding and
+that Clinton was driven to New York where Washington was watching his
+every move, like a hawk, from the heights of Morristown.
+
+"General Washington holds General Arnold in the highest esteem,"
+remarked Mr. Allison.
+
+"As the bravest general in the Continental Army," quietly replied
+Stephen.
+
+"He would make a poor statesman," went on the host.
+
+"He is a soldier first and last."
+
+"Should a soldier be wanting in tact and diplomacy?"
+
+"A good soldier should possess both."
+
+"Then General Arnold is not a good soldier," declared Mr. Allison.
+
+"A criticism he hardly deserves," was the simple reply.
+
+"You saw the _Gazette_?"
+
+"Yes. I read that article to which you undoubtedly refer."
+
+"And you agree with it?"
+
+"No. I do not."
+
+"I am sorry about it all. Yet I am inclined to hold the Governor
+responsible to a great extent. He would be an aristocrat, and it is the
+society of such that he covets."
+
+"Perhaps jealousy might inspire criticism. Envy, you know, is the
+antagonist of the fortunate."
+
+"But it is not his deeds alone that cause the unrest among our citizens.
+It is not what he does but what he says. It helps matters not in the
+least to express dissatisfaction with the manner of conducting the war,
+neither by criticizing the enactments of the Congress, nor vehemently
+opposing the new foreign alliance. This does not sound well from the
+lips of one of our foremost leaders and we do not like it."
+
+"I was not aware that he voiced any opposition to the furtherance of the
+alliance with France," declared Stephen.
+
+"He might not have spoken in formal protest, but he has spoken in an
+informal manner times without number," replied Mr. Allison.
+
+"I am sorry to hear that. I did not expect such from General Arnold,"
+muttered Stephen.
+
+Marjorie had as yet taken no part in the conversation. She was
+interested and alive, however, to every word, anxious, if possible, to
+learn Stephen's attitude in respect to the common talk. She took delight
+in his defense of his General, notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence
+against him and was proud of the trait of loyalty her guest disclosed in
+the face of her father's opposition.
+
+Mrs. Allison and Marjorie participated in the conversation when the
+topics bore, for the most part, on current events, uninteresting to Mr.
+Allison, who munched in silence until some incomplete sentence called
+for a remark or two from him by way of a conclusion. Stephen's animated
+interest in the more common topics of the day led Mrs. Allison and
+Marjorie to the conclusion that he was a more practical and a more
+versatile man than the head of their own house.
+
+All in all he made a profound impression on the family, and when the
+repast was finished and the table had been cleared, they sat over the
+fruit and the nuts, before retiring to the living room for the evening.
+
+
+III
+
+"You are not in the habit of frequenting brilliant functions?" Stephen
+asked of Marjorie when they were quite alone. It was customary for the
+older folks to retire from the company of the younger set shortly after
+the dinner grace had been said. Of course grace had to be said; Mr.
+Allison would permit no bread to be broken at his house without first
+imploring benedictions from Heaven, and, when the formalities of the
+meal had been concluded, of returning thanks for the good things
+enjoyed.
+
+"I never have attended before," answered Marjorie, smoothing out a side
+of her apron with her hand.
+
+"You are quite friendly with the Shippen family, I understand."
+
+"Oh, yes! For several years we have been united. I am invited to all
+their functions. Still I am not fond of society."
+
+"And you spend your time alone?" Stephen was persistent in his questions
+as he sat opposite to her and studied her expression.
+
+"Between here and the store, and perhaps with Peggy. That is about all
+for I seldom visit. I am hopelessly old-fashioned in some things, mother
+tells me, and I suppose you will say the same if I tell you more," and
+she looked at him slyly, with her head half-raised, her lips parted
+somewhat in a quizzical smile.
+
+"Not at all! You are what I rather hoped to find you, although I did not
+dare to give expression to it. You can, possibly, be of some assistance
+to me."
+
+"Gladly would I perform any service, however humble, for the cause of
+our country," Marjorie sat upright, all attention at the thought.
+
+"You remember I told you that I was detailed in the city on special
+work," Stephen went on.
+
+"I do."
+
+"Well, it is a special work but it also is a very indefinite work. There
+is a movement afoot, but of its nature, and purpose, I at this moment am
+entirely ignorant. I am here to discover clews."
+
+"And have you no material to work on except that? It is very vague, to
+say the least."
+
+"That and suspicion. Howe found the city a nest of Tories; but he also
+found it swarmed with patriots, whose enthusiasm, and vigor, and
+patience, and determination must have impressed him profoundly, and
+portended disaster for the British cause. With the morale of the people
+so high, and renewed hope and confidence swelling their bosoms, a
+complete military victory must have appeared hopeless to the British
+General. What was left? Dissension, or rebellion, or treason, or
+anything that will play havoc with the united determination of the
+Colonists."
+
+She breathed heavily as she rested her chin on her hand absorbed in the
+vision that he was calling up.
+
+"Arnold's victory at Saratoga has convinced Britain that the war over
+here cannot be won," he continued. "Already has Lord North thrown a bomb
+into the ranks of the proud Tories by his liberal proposals. Of course
+they will be entirely rejected by us and the war will continue until
+complete independence is acknowledged. True, we had no such idea in mind
+when we entered this conflict, but now we are convinced that victory is
+on our side and that a free and independent form of government is the
+most suitable for us. We have enunciated certain principles which are
+possible of realization only under a democratic form of government,
+where the people rule and where the rulers are responsible to the
+people. Such a system is possible only in a great republic, and that is
+what England must now recognize. Otherwise the war must go on."
+
+"Have our aims taken such definite form. I know----"
+
+"No! They have not," interrupted Stephen, "they have not and that is
+where trouble is to be expected. Such is the state of mind, however, of
+many of the more experienced leaders, but their opinion will lose
+weight. It is because all are not united in this, that there is room for
+treason under the motive of misguided patriotism. And it is to scent
+every possible form of that disloyalty that I have been sent here; sent
+to the very place where the Tories most abound and where such a plot is
+most liable to take root."
+
+"And you expect me to be of assistance to you?" asked Marjorie, proud of
+the confidence which she so readily gained.
+
+"I expect much. But perhaps nothing will eventuate. I can rely on you,
+however. For the present, naught is to be done. When the time comes, I
+shall tell you."
+
+"But what can I do? I am but a mere girl."
+
+"Did I think you to be ordinary, I might not have asked you," quickly
+exchanged Stephen.
+
+Marjorie dropped her head and began studying the stitches in her gown.
+But only for a second, for she as quickly raised her head and asked:
+
+"Wherein, then, can I be of service to you?"
+
+"Listen!" He brought his chair to a point nearly opposite hers. She was
+seated on the settee, yet he made no attempt to share it with her.
+
+"You are friendly with the Shippen family," he went on. "Now, do not
+misinterpret me. I shall require no betrayal of confidence. But it is
+generally known that the Shippens are Tories, not avowedly so, yet in
+heart and in thought. It is also generally known that their house was
+the center of society during the days of the British occupation, at
+which all manner of men assembled. The walls of that house, could they
+but speak, would be able to relate many momentous conversations held
+over the teacups, or in quiet corners. The family themselves must know
+many things which might be invaluable to us."
+
+"And you want me to learn that for you?" inquired Marjorie in alarm as
+the horrible thought forced itself upon her.
+
+"I want you to do nothing of the kind," quickly answered Stephen. "Far
+be it from me to require you to barter your benevolence. I should
+deplore any such method as most dishonorable and unworthy of the noble
+cause in which we are engaged. No! I ask this, simply, that through you
+I might be permitted the honor of visiting the home of Miss Shippen and
+that by being acquainted with the family I might acquire a general
+entrée to the Tory social circle. In this way I might effect my purpose
+and perchance stumble across information of vital importance. Thus can
+you be of great assistance to me."
+
+"I shall be delighted to do this, and I shall tell you more--perhaps you
+may ask me to do something more noble--sometime----" She hesitated to
+express the wish which was father to her thought.
+
+"Sometime I expect you to be of real service to me and to our
+country--sometime----"
+
+Marjorie did not answer. She knew what she would like to say, but dared
+not. Why should he unfold his mission to her at this, almost their first
+meeting? And why should he expect her to be of such assistance to him,
+to him, first, and then to the country? And then, why should she feel so
+responsive, so ready to spend herself, her energy, her whole being at
+the mere suggestion of this young man, whom until last evening, she had
+never thought to exist. She felt that she was as wax in the hands of
+this soldier; she knew it and enjoyed it and only awaited the moment
+when his seal would come down upon her and stamp her more to his liking.
+She was slightly younger than he, and happily his contrary in nearly all
+respects. He was fair, she was dark; his eyes were blue, hers brown; he
+was lusty and showed promise of broadness, she was slender.
+
+Twice she opened her mouth as if to speak to him, and each time she
+dropped again her head in reflective silence. She did not talk to this
+young man as she might to any number of her more intimate acquaintances.
+Even the very silence was magnetic. Further utterance would dispel the
+charm. That she would enlist in his service she knew as well as she knew
+her own existence, but that he should arouse so keen an interest in her,
+so buoyant an attitude, so secure an assurance, amazed her and filled
+her with awe. She had never before experienced quite the same sensation
+that now dismayed her nor had any one ever brought home to her her worth
+as did this young soldier. Yes she would help him, but in what way?
+
+And so they sat and considered and talked. They soon forgot to talk
+about His Excellency, or the Army, or the Shippens. Neither did they
+resolve the doubts that might have been entertained concerning the
+manner of men who frequented the home of Peggy and her sisters; nor the
+Alliance which had just been established, nor the vital signification of
+the event. They just talked over a field of affairs none of which bore
+any special relation to any one save their own selves. At length the old
+clock felt constrained to speak up and frown at them for their unusual
+delay and their profligate waste of tallow and dips.
+
+Stephen rose at once. Marjorie saw him to the door, where she gave him
+her hand in parting.
+
+"We have indeed been honored this day, Captain, and I trust that the
+near future will see a return of the same. I am entirely at your
+service," whispered Marjorie, wondering why the words did not come to
+her more readily.
+
+"On the contrary, Miss Allison, it is I who have been privileged. My
+humble respects to your parents. Adieu!"
+
+He bowed gracefully, wheeled, and went out the door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+I
+
+The Corner of Market and Front Streets was brisk with life and activity
+at twelve, the change hour, every day. Here assembled the merchants of
+the city, members of the upper class who cared enough about the rest of
+the world to make an inquiry into its progress; men of leisure about
+town whose vocation in life was to do nothing and who had the entire day
+in which to do it. All conditions, all varieties of character joined the
+ranks. Soldiers, restless from the monotony of army life and desirous of
+the license usually associated with leave of absence; civilians eager in
+the pursuit of truth or of scandal; patriots impatient with the yoke of
+foreign rule; Tories exasperated with the turn of the war and its
+accompanying privations;--all gathered together at the Old London Coffee
+House day after day.
+
+It stood, an imposing three-storied, square structure, with a great wing
+extending far in the rear. Its huge roof, fashioned for all the world
+after a truncated pyramid with immense gables projecting from its sides,
+gave every indication of having sheltered many a guest from the snows
+and rains of winter. A great chimney ran up the side and continually
+belched forth smoke and sparks, volumes of them, during the days and
+nights of the cold winter season. A portico of no particular style of
+architecture ran around two sides of the ancient building and afforded
+a meeting place for the majority of the guests. It was furnished with
+many chairs, faithfully tenanted when the season was propitious.
+
+Thither Stephen and Mr. Allison were directing their steps more than a
+week after they had last met at the home of the latter. It was by the
+merest chance they encountered. Stephen was seeking a healthful reaction
+from a vigorous walk through the less-frequented part of the city; Mr.
+Allison was making his daily visit to the Coffee House. Stephen had
+often heard of the tavern, but had never been there. Still he was
+resolved to seek an introduction to its clientèle at the first
+propitious moment. That moment had now come.
+
+Upon entering, their attention was at once arrested by the animated
+discussion in progress at a table in the nearest corner of the room. An
+officer of the Governor's Guard, in full regimentals, booted and
+spurred, in company with a gentleman, finely dressed, was talking loudly
+to Jim Cadwalader, who was seated before them holding a half-opened
+newspaper in his hand. It was plain to be seen that the soldier was
+somewhat under the influence of liquor, yet one could not call him
+intoxicated.
+
+"Gi' me that an' I'll show y'," exclaimed the soldier as he grabbed the
+paper from Cadwalader's hand.
+
+"Y' were told," he went on to read from it, "that it was t' avoid the
+'stabl'shment 'r count'nancin'," he half mumbled the words, "of Pop'ry;
+an that Pop'ry was 'stabl'shed in Canada (where 't was only tol'rated).
+And is not Pop'ry now as much 'stabl'shed by law in your state 's any
+other rel'gion?" "Just what I was sayin'," he interpolated. "So that
+your Gov'nor and all your rulers may be Papists, and you may have a
+Mass-House in ev'ry corner o' your country (as some places already
+'xper'ence)."
+
+"There!" he snarled as he threw back the paper. "Isn't that what I wuz
+tryin' t' tell y'."
+
+"You can't tell me nothin', Forrest," retorted Jim.
+
+"Course I can't. Nobody kin. Y' know 't all."
+
+"I can mind my own bus'ness."
+
+"There y' are agin," shouted Forrest, "y' know 't all, ye do."
+
+"Don't say that again," Jim flared back at him. "I'll--I'll--I'll----.
+Don't say it again, that's all."
+
+"'Cause y' know 'ts true."
+
+"It's a lie," Jim interrupted him. "Ye know it's a lie. But I don't
+'spect much of ye, 'r of the Gov'nor either. None of ye 'll ever be
+Papists."
+
+"Now you're talkin' sens'ble; first sens'ble thing you've said t'day. No
+Papists here if we kin help it."
+
+Stephen and Mr. Allison, keenly interested in this remark, moved nearer
+to the table. Cadwalader was well known to Mr. Allison. The others were
+total strangers.
+
+"What's he goin' t' do about the help from France? Refuse it 'cause it's
+from a Catholic country?" asked Jim.
+
+"He don't like it and never did."
+
+"Is he fool 'nough t' think we can win this war without help?"
+
+"He won it once."
+
+"When?"
+
+"Saratoga."
+
+"That's his story. We didn't have it won and it won't be won without
+troops and with somethin' besides shin-plasters." He turned sideways,
+crossed one leg over the other and began to drum upon the table.
+
+"We must hev help," he went on. "We must hev it and it must come from
+France 'r Spain."
+
+"They y' are agin," repeated Forrest, "as if one wuzn't as much under
+th' Pope as th' other."
+
+"Forrest!" he turned toward him and shook his finger at him in a
+menacing sort of way. "Don't say that agin. Mind what I tell ye. Don't
+say it again--that's all. When I'm mad, I'm not myself."
+
+"Is that so? I s'pose I'm wrong agin, an' you're right. Tell me this.
+What did yer fool leg'slature in Vi'ginya do th' other day?"
+
+"I don't know," murmured Jim. "What did they do?"
+
+"There y' are agin. I thought y' knew it all. Think y' know ev'rythin'
+an' y' know nothin'. Passed a resolution fur a Papist priest, didn't
+they?"
+
+"And why?" pronounced Jim, flushed with anger, his lower lip quivering
+with emotion. "'Cause he did more fur his country, than you or I'll ever
+do. Father Gibault! And if it wazn't fur him, Colonel Clark'd never hev
+op'nd th' Northwest."
+
+"That's just what I say. The Papists'll soon own the whole damn
+country."
+
+Stephen and Mr. Allison moved as if to join the discussion, which had at
+this juncture become loud enough to lose the character of intimacy. Jim
+was well known to the guests of the house. The man who was known as
+Forrest, was, it was plain from his uniform, a Colonel in the army. The
+other man was a stranger. Much younger than his companion, tall, manly,
+clad in a suit of black, with his hair in full dress, well-powdered and
+gathered behind in a large silken bag, he gave every appearance of
+culture and refinement. He wore a black cocked hat, whose edges were
+adorned with a black feather about an inch in depth, his knees as well
+as his shoes adorned with silver buckles.
+
+"If they did own th' country," was Jim's grave reply, "we'd hev a
+healthier place to live in than we now hev."
+
+"An' whose doin' it?" shouted Forrest. "The Papists."
+
+"Thou liest!" interrupted Mr. Allison, intruding himself into their
+midst, "a confounded lie. Remember, the Catholics have given their all
+to this war--their goods, their money, their sons."
+
+"Heigh-ho! who're you?" asked the soldier. "What d' you know 'bout the
+army? Hardly 'nough 'f them to go aroun'."
+
+"A malicious untruth. Why, half the rebel army itself is reported to
+have come from Ireland."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"From the testimony of General Robertson in the House of Lords. And if
+these soldiers are Irishmen, you can wager they're Catholics. And why
+should we pass laws 'gainst these crowds of Irish Papists and convicts
+who are yearly poured upon us, unless they were Catholic convicts
+fleeing from the laws of persecution?"
+
+"What ails ye, Forrest," rejoined Jim, "can't be cured."
+
+"Take care 'f yourself," angrily retorted the Colonel, "an' I'll take
+care o' myself."
+
+"If ye did, and yer likes did the same, we'd git along better and the
+war'd be over. I s'pose ye know that yer friend Jay lost Canada to us."
+
+"What if he did. Wazn't he right?"
+
+And then he explained to him.
+
+
+II
+
+Canada had been surrendered to England by France in a clause of the
+Treaty of Paris in 1763, with a stipulation, however, that the people of
+the territory in question would be permitted the free use of the French
+language, the prescriptions of the French code of laws, and the practice
+of the Catholic religion.
+
+South of this region and west of the English colonies between the Ohio
+and the Mississippi rivers, stretched a vast expanse of territory known
+as the Northwest Territory, where dwelt a large population without laws,
+with no organized form of government save the mere caprices of petty
+military tyrants, placed over them by the various seaboard colonies who
+severally laid claim to the district. At the request of the people of
+Canada it was voted by the English Parliament to reannex the territory
+northwest of the Ohio to Canada and to permit the settlers to share in
+the rights and privileges of the Canadian province. This was effected by
+the Quebec Act in 1774.
+
+It was truly a remarkable concession. The inhabitants of this vast
+stretch of territory were freed for all time from the tyranny of
+military despots, their lands and churches secured to them and their
+priests given a legal title to their tithes. It was the freest exercise
+of the Catholic religion under the laws of the English Government.
+
+But what a storm of abuse and protestation was raised by the fanatical
+portion of the Protestant population! The newspapers of the day abounded
+with articles, with songs and squibs against the King and His
+Parliament. The mother country witnessed no less virulent a campaign
+than the colonies themselves. "We may live to see our churches," writes
+one writer to the _Pennsylvania Packet_, "converted into mass-houses,
+and our lands plundered of tithes for the support of a Popish clergy.
+The Inquisition may erect her standard in Pennsylvania and the city of
+Philadelphia may yet experience the carnage of St. Bartholomew's day."
+Processions were formed about the country and in some places the bust of
+George III, adorned with miter, beads and a pectoral cross, was carried
+in triumphal march.
+
+The forms of protest found their way ultimately into the halls of the
+First American Congress which convened in Philadelphia in 1774. The
+recent legislation was enumerated among the wrongs done the colonies by
+the mother country. Feeling became so bitter that an address was issued
+by the Congress on the fifth of September, 1774, "to the people of Great
+Britain" saying: "We think the Legislature of Great Britain is not
+authorized by the Constitution to establish a religion, fraught with
+sanguinary and impious tenets, or to erect an arbitrary form of
+government in any quarter of the globe." "By another act the Dominion of
+Canada is to be extended, modeled and governed, as that being disunited
+from us, detached from our interests by civil as well as religious
+prejudices, that by their numbers daily swelling with Catholic emigrants
+from Europe, and by their devotion to administration so friendly to
+their religion, they might become formidable to us, and on occasion be
+fit instruments in the hands of power to reduce the ancient free
+Protestant colonies to the same state of slavery with themselves."
+Little did they think that the breach they were attempting to heal was
+widened by their procedure. The author of the address was John Jay, a
+lawyer from New York, with whom Papaphobia was a mania.
+
+Nor did the failure of this method of diplomacy become apparent until
+several years later. The measure of appreciation and the expression of
+sentiment of the Canadian people in regard to this ill-timed and
+unchristian address, conceived in a fit of passion and by no means
+representative of the sentiments of the saner portion of the population,
+took expression at a more critical time. When, in 1776, the members of
+the same Congress, viewing with alarm the magnitude of the struggle upon
+which they had entered and to whose success they had pledged their
+honor, their fortunes and their lives, sought to enlist the resources of
+their neighbors in Canada, they met with a sudden and calamitous
+disappointment. To effect an alliance with the border brethren, three
+commissioners were appointed--Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and
+Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Father John Carroll, a Jesuit priest, was
+invited by the Congress to accompany the party.
+
+Arriving in Canada, it soon became evident to the committee, that their
+mission was to be unproductive of results. The government did not take
+kindly to them, nor would the Bishop of Quebec and his clergy trust the
+vague expressions of the United Colonies, whose statute books, they
+pointed out, still bore the most bitter and unchristian sentiments
+against all priests and adherents of the ancient church. Bigotry had
+apparently defeated their purpose. How it had done this was still quite
+obscure, until it was discovered that the British Government had taken
+John Jay's address, translated it into French and spread it broadcast
+throughout Canada. "Behold the spirit of the Colonists," it went on to
+remind the people, "and if you join forces with them, they will turn on
+you and extirpate your religion, in the same manner as they did in the
+Catholic colony of Maryland."
+
+The effect is historical. The commissioners were compelled to return;
+the brave Montgomery was killed before the walls of the city; Canada was
+lost to the Colonies and forever forfeited as an integral part of the
+United States; all of which was due to the narrowness and intolerance of
+those who in the supreme hour could not refrain from the fanaticism of
+bigotry.
+
+It must be said, however, out of justice to the colonists that they did
+not persist in their spirit of antagonism towards the Catholics. The
+commencement of the struggle against the common foe, together with the
+sympathetic and magnanimous concurrence of the Catholics with the
+patriots in all things, soon changed their prejudice in favor of a more
+united and vigorous effort in behalf of their joint claims. The despised
+Papists now became ardent and impetuous patriots. The leaders in the
+great struggle soon began to reflect an added luster to the nation that
+gave them birth and to the Church which taught them devotion to their
+land. The rank and file began to swarm with men of the Catholic faith,
+so many, indeed, that their great Archbishop, John Carroll, could write
+of them that "their blood flowed as freely (in proportion to their
+numbers) to cement the fabric of independence, as that of any of their
+fellow citizens. They concurred with perhaps greater unanimity than any
+other body of men in recommending and promoting that government from
+whose influence America anticipates all the blessings of justice, peace,
+plenty, good order, and civil and religious liberty."
+
+Only among the few was the spirit of intolerance still rampant, and
+among these might be numbered Colonel Forrest.
+
+
+III
+
+"See now who's t' blame, don't ye? The likes o' ye an' that poltroon,
+Jay, up there in New York. See who started this affair, don't ye?"
+
+"That's what you say. Egad, I could say all that an' save half the
+breath. I've got my 'pinion, though, and that'll do fur me."
+
+"Ye're so narrow, Forrest, ye've only one side."
+
+"Is that so? Well, so is the Governor."
+
+"Is that his opinion, too?" impatiently asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Does he view matters in that light?"
+
+"Did I say he did."
+
+"Yes."
+
+There was no further response.
+
+Stephen had, by this time, become thoroughly exasperated with this man,
+and was about to eject him forcibly from the room. His better judgment,
+however, bade him restrain himself. A tilt in a public drinking house
+would only noise his name abroad and perhaps give rise to much
+unpleasantness.
+
+"How can a man consistently be subject to any civil ruler when he
+already has pledged his allegiance, both in soul and in body, to another
+potentate?"
+
+This from the man in black, the fourth member of the party, who
+heretofore had maintained an impartial and respectful silence, not so
+much from choice perhaps as through necessity. His name proved to be
+John Anderson.
+
+"You mean an alien?" Stephen inquired.
+
+"If you are pleased so to term it. The Pope is a temporal lord, you
+understand, and as such is due allegiance from every one of his
+subjects."
+
+And then Stephen took pains to explain, clearly and concisely, the great
+difference between the two authorities--the civil and the religious. The
+Prince of Peace had said, "Render unto Cæesar the things that are
+Cæesar's, and to God the things that are God's," which declaration
+admitted of an interpretation at once comprehensive and exclusive. He
+explained how the Catholic found himself a member of two distinct and
+perfect societies, each independent and absolute within its own sphere,
+the one deriving its charter from the natural law, the other directly
+from God. He then pointed out how these societies lived in perfect
+harmony, although armed with two swords, the one spiritual, the other
+temporal, weapons which were intended never to clash but to fight side
+by side for the promotion of man's happiness, temporal and eternal.
+
+"But it is inconceivable how a clash can be avoided," Mr. Anderson
+reminded him.
+
+"Not when it is remembered that each authority is independent of the
+other. The Church has no power over civil legislation in matters purely
+secular, nor has the state a right to interfere in ecclesiastical
+legislation, in matters purely spiritual, nor over spiritual persons
+considered strictly as such. In every Catholic country the King, as well
+as the humblest peasant, is subject to the laws of his country in
+secular matters, and to the laws of his church in matters spiritual."
+
+"Yet at the same time he cannot fail to recognize that the one is
+superior to the other."
+
+"Only in so far as the spiritual order is superior to the secular."
+
+"Not in temporal affairs as well?"
+
+"Not in the least. Only in the recognition of the fact that the
+salvation of the soul is of more importance than the welfare of the
+body. In this is the mission of the state considered inferior to that of
+the Church."
+
+"If this be true, how can a Catholic pay allegiance to a society which
+he believes to be a subordinate one?"
+
+"He does not consider it subordinate. It is supreme within its own
+sphere. Theoretically it is subordinate in this: that the care of the
+soul comes first; then that of the body. The state is the greatest
+institution in matters secular, and in this respect superior to the
+Church. The Church makes no pretense of infallibility in statesmanship.
+Hence, a Catholic who is true to his Church and her teachings makes the
+best citizen."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because, to him, patriotism is inculcated by religion. Throughout his
+whole life his soul has been nurtured by his Church on a twofold
+pabulum,--love of God and love of country."
+
+"The Catholic Church expressly teaches that? I thought----"
+
+"Exactly," agreed Stephen, interrupting him. "The Catholic has been
+taught that the civil authority, to which he owes and pays allegiance,
+is something divine; for him it is the authority of God vested in His
+creatures and he gives ear to its voice and yields to it a sweet and
+humble submission as befits a child of God, doing His Will in all
+things. For he recognizes therein the sound of the Divine Voice."
+
+"I see."
+
+"He remembers the teaching of his Church, derived from the words of St.
+Paul writing on this subject to the citizens of Rome, 'Let every man be
+subject to higher powers, for there is no power but from God; and those
+that are, are ordained of God,' and the letter of St. Peter, the first
+Pope, 'Be ye subject, therefore, to every human creature for God's sake;
+whether it be to the king as excelling; or to governors as sent by
+him--for so is the will of God.'"
+
+"You must have been reading the Bible," interrupted Mr. Allison with a
+smile.
+
+"I have," answered Stephen, as he continued with little or no attention
+to the interruption.
+
+"The Catholic obeys the voice of his rightly constituted authority
+because he feels that he is obeying the voice of his God, and when he
+yields obedience to the law of his land, he feels that he is yielding
+obedience to God Himself. His ruler is the mouthpiece of God; the
+Constitution of his state a most sacred thing because it is the
+embodiment of the authority of God and he would rather die than commit
+any untoward or unlawful deed which might undermine or destroy it,
+precisely because it is from God."
+
+There was no response. All had listened with attention to Stephen as he
+emphasized point after point. All, save Colonel Forrest, who wore a
+sardonic smile throughout it all.
+
+"You should 've talked like that on Guy Fawkes' Day," he muttered, "if
+you wanted t' hev some fun. We'd hev some hot tar fur you."
+
+"Thank God!" replied Stephen. "We shall witness no more such outbreaks
+of fanaticism. They have long enough disgraced our country. They are, I
+trust, forever ended."
+
+"The Pope Day Celebration ended?" asked Anderson in surprise.
+
+"I hope so. Since General Washington issued the order soon after taking
+command of the army, abolishing the celebration, the practice has never
+been resumed."
+
+"Wash'ton thinks he owns th' country," mumbled Forrest in a half
+articulate manner. "Likes th' Papists, he does. No more Pope Day!
+Cath'lic gen'rals! French al-lies! P'rhaps 'll send fur th' Pope next.
+Give 'm 'is house, p'rhaps. Give 'im th' whole coun'ry. No damn good to
+us, he ain't. No damn good----"
+
+The next moment Stephen was upon him with his hands about his throat,
+his face flaming with rage and passion.
+
+"You hound! No more of that; or your treason will end forever."
+
+He shook his head violently, tightening his fingers about his throat. As
+he did, Forrest writhing in the chair under his attack, began to fumble
+with his hand at his hip as if instinctively seeking something there.
+Stephen's eyes followed the movement, even while he, too, relaxed his
+hold to seize with his free hand the arm of his adversary. Only for a
+moment, however; for he immediately felt himself seized from behind by
+the shoulders and dragged backwards from his man and completely
+overpowered.
+
+The man who was known as Anderson took charge of the Colonel, helping
+him to his feet, and without further words led him to one side of the
+room, talking softly but deliberately to him as he did so.
+
+A moment later they had passed through the door and vanished down the
+street in the direction of the Square.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+I
+
+The morrow was one of those rare days when all nature seems to invite
+one to go forth and enjoy the good things within her keeping. The
+sunrise was menacing; unless the wind shifted before noon it would be
+uncomfortably warm. Still, the air was bracing and fragrant with the
+soft perfume distilled by the pines.
+
+Stephen felt in tune with nature as he made his early morning toilet. He
+gazed the while into the garden from his widely opened window, and
+responded instinctively to the call of the countryside. The disagreeable
+episode of the preceding day had left unpleasant recollections in his
+mind which disconcerted him not a little during his waking hours, the
+time when the stream of consciousness begins to flow with an
+unrestrained rapidity, starting with the more impressive memories of the
+night before. He did not repent his action; he might have repeated the
+performance under similar circumstances, yet he chided himself for his
+lack of reserve and composure and his great want of respect to a
+superior officer.
+
+He was early mounted and on his way, striking off in the direction of
+the Germantown Road. He had left word with his landlady of his intended
+destination, with the added remark that he would be back in a short
+time, a couple of hours at the most, and that he would attend to the
+business of the day upon his return. What that might amount to he had
+no idea at all, being preoccupied entirely with what he had to do in the
+immediate present, for he made it a point never to permit the more
+serious affairs of life to intrude upon his moments of relaxation.
+
+He was a pleasant figure to look upon; smooth-faced and athletic, well
+mounted and dressed with great preciseness. On his well shaped hands he
+wore leathern gauntlets; he was in his uniform of buff and blue; beneath
+his coat he had his steel-buckled belt with his holster and pistol in
+it; he wore his cocked hat with a buff cockade affixed, the insignia of
+his rank in the service.
+
+The road lay in the direction of Marjorie's house. Perhaps he chose to
+ride along this way in order that he might be obliged to pass her door,
+and then again, perhaps, that was but of secondary import. This was no
+time for analysis, and so he refused to study his motives. He did know
+that he had not seen her for a long time, the longest time it seemed,
+and that he had had no word from her since their last meeting, save the
+intelligence received from her father yesterday in response to his
+repeated inquiries concerning her welfare and that of her mother.
+
+"Let us turn up here, Dolly, old girl." He leaned forward a little to
+pat the mare's neck affectionately as he spoke; while at the same time
+he pulled the right rein slightly, turning her head in the direction
+indicated. "And, if we are fortunate, we shall catch a glimpse of her."
+
+Dolly raised her ears very erect and opened full her nostrils as if to
+catch some possible scent of her, of whom he spoke. She pierced the
+distance with her eyes, but saw no one and so settled herself into an
+easy canter, for she knew it to be more to her rider's advantage to
+proceed at a slowing pace until they had passed the house in question.
+
+"You are an intelligent old girl, Dolly, but I must not let you too far
+into the secrets of my mind. Still, you have shared my delights and woes
+alike and have been my one faithful friend. Why should I not tell you?"
+
+And yet they had been friends for no great length of time. It was at
+Valley Forge they had met, shortly after Stephen's appointment to
+General Washington's staff. As an aide he was required to be mounted and
+it was by a piece of good fortune that he had been allowed to choose
+from several the chestnut mare that now bore him. He had given her the
+best of care and affection and she reciprocated in as intelligent a
+manner as she knew how.
+
+"You have served well, but I feel that there is much greater work before
+us, much greater than our quest of the present."
+
+They were nearing the house. For some reason or other, Dolly whinnied as
+he spoke, probably in acquiescence to his thought, probably in
+recognition of the presence of her rival. She might have seen, had she
+cared to turn her head, a trim, lithe form passing to the rear of the
+house. Stephen took pains to see her, however, and, as she turned her
+head, doffed his hat in salute. The next moment Dolly felt the reins
+tighten, and, whether she desired it or not, found her head turned in
+that direction. Her rider was soon dismounted and was leading her to the
+side of the road.
+
+"You are early astir, Mistress Marjorie. I had anticipated no such
+pleasure this morning."
+
+"It is indeed mutual," replied Marjorie, smiling as she offered him her
+hand. "How came you so early? No new turn of events, I hope!"
+
+"Not in the least. I desired a few hours in the saddle before the heat
+of the day set in, and my guardian angel must have directed me along
+this path."
+
+Dolly raised both her ears and turned towards him, while she noisily
+brought her hoof down upon the sod.
+
+"What a rascal!" she thought to herself.
+
+The girl dropped her eyes demurely and then asked hurriedly:
+
+"There are no new developments?"
+
+"None that I know of."
+
+"Nothing came of the trouble at the Inn?"
+
+"Then you know?"
+
+"All. Father told me."
+
+"He should not have told you."
+
+"It was my doing. I gave him no peace until I had learned all."
+
+Dolly grew weary of this pleasantry and wandered away to gladden her
+lips on the choice morsels of the tender grass.
+
+"I deeply regret my indiscretion, though it was for his sake."
+
+"You mean----?"
+
+"His Excellency."
+
+"I might have done likewise, were I able. Colonel Forrest is most
+disagreeable."
+
+"He was not wholly culpable and so I forgave his insulting remarks
+against us, but I forgot myself entirely when General Washington's name
+was besmirched."
+
+"I fear further trouble," she sighed.
+
+"From him?"
+
+She nodded her head.
+
+"Nonsense! There will be naught said about the whole affair and it will
+end where it began. Forrest is no fool."
+
+"I have other news for you, Captain," announced Marjorie, her eyes
+beaming at the prospect.
+
+"And how long have you been preserving it for me?" asked Stephen.
+
+"But a few days."
+
+"And you made no attempt to see me?"
+
+"Had I not met you now, I would have done so this day," answered
+Marjorie.
+
+"You would have written?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"It is my forfeiture to your reserve."
+
+"And made gallantly."
+
+"Come now! What had you to tell?"
+
+"This. Peggy desires the honor of your company. You will receive the
+invitation in a day or two. Just an informal affair, yet I sensed the
+possibility of your pleasure."
+
+"You did right. I am pleased as I am honored, but neither so much as I
+am elated at the hopes for the future. Of course, I shall accept, but
+you will have to promise to denote my path for me in the tangled maze of
+society, in whose company I am as yet merely a novice."
+
+"Lud! I ne'er heard one so illiberal of his graces."
+
+"Nor one more candid," Stephen rejoined as quickly. If he were good at
+repartee he had met with one who was equally as apt.
+
+"You know the Governor will be in attendance," she declared in a
+matter-of-fact manner.
+
+"How should I know that? Is it unusual for him to frequent the company
+of the gay?"
+
+"Not of late, the more especially where the presence of Peggy is
+concerned," added the little tale-bearer with a keen though reckless
+wit.
+
+"And why Peggy?" He was innocent enough in his question.
+
+"Have you not heard of His Excellency's courting? Mr. Shippen has
+already made public the rumor that a certain great General is laying
+close siege to the heart of Peggy. And I have Peggy's own word for it."
+
+"To Peggy?" He asked with evident surprise. "Why, she but halves his
+age, and he is already a widower."
+
+"With three sons," Marjorie gayly added. "No matter. Peggy will meet the
+disparity of ages by the disparity of stations. She has avowed to me
+that no one dares to question the social preëminence of the Military
+Governor, nor the fact that he is the most dashing and perhaps most
+successful general of the Continental Army. Position in life is of prime
+importance to her."
+
+"Is that so? I had not so judged her," was the comment.
+
+"She admits that herself, and makes no secret of it before any one. Did
+you not observe her sullen silence at the Ball upon learning of the
+identity of her inferior partner? And that she sat out the major portion
+of the dance in company with the Military Governor?"
+
+"It escaped my attention, for I was too deeply concerned with another
+matter which distracted me for the entire evening," he answered with a
+smile.
+
+She pretended to take no notice, however, and continued.
+
+"Well, he has been calling regularly since that evening, and this quiet
+and informal function has been arranged primarily in his honor, although
+it will not be announced as such. You will go?" she asked.
+
+"I shall be pleased to accept her invitation. May I accompany you?"
+
+"Thank you. I almost hoped you would say that. Men folks are so sadly
+wanting in intuition."
+
+"Friday, then? Adieu! The pleasure that awaits me is immeasurable."
+
+"Until Friday."
+
+She extended to him her hand, which he pressed. A moment later he was
+mounted.
+
+"My kindest to your mother. She will understand." Dolly broke into a
+gallop.
+
+
+II
+
+Marjorie stood at the gate post until he was quite lost from view around
+the turn of the road. He did not look back, yet she thought that he
+might have. She slowly turned and as slowly began to walk towards the
+house, there to resume the duties which had suffered a pleasant
+interruption.
+
+Meanwhile, she tried to analyze this young man. He was rather deep, of
+few words on any given subject, but wholly non-communicative as regards
+himself. He perhaps was possessed of more intuition than his manner
+would reveal, although he gave every appearance of arriving at his
+conclusions by the sheer force of logic. His words and deeds never
+betrayed his whole mind, of that she was certain, yet he could assert
+himself rather forcibly when put to the test, as in the painful incident
+at the Coffee House. He would never suffer from soul-paralysis, thought
+she, for want of decision or resolution, for both were written full
+upon him.
+
+That she was strangely attracted to him she knew very well, but why and
+how she was unable to discover. This was but their third meeting, yet
+she felt as if she had known him all her life, so frank, so unreserved,
+so open, so secure did she feel in his presence. It seemed the most
+natural thing in the world for her to have waved her hand in salute to
+him that morning as he passed; she did it with the same unconcern as if
+she had known him all her life. She felt it within her, that was all,
+and could give no other possible interpretation to her action.
+
+There was something prepossessing about him. Perhaps it was his faculty
+for doing the unexpected. Most women desire to meet a man who is
+possessed of a distinctive individuality, who lends continual interest
+to them by his departure from the trite and commonplace. What Stephen
+might say or do was an entirely unknown quantity until it had actually
+taken place, and this attracted her on the instant, whether she was
+conscious of it or not. His manner, too, was affable, and gave him an
+air at once pleasing and good-natured. He never flattered, yet said most
+agreeable things, putting one perfectly at ease and inspiring sympathy
+and courage. He bore himself well; erect, manly, dignified, without
+ostentation or display. His seriousness, his evenness, his gravity, his
+constancy and his decision stamped him with a certain authority, a man
+of marked personality and character.
+
+So she mused as she entered the door, her thoughts in a lofty hegira to
+the far off land of make believe--her better self striving to marshal
+them to the cold realities of duty that lay before her. She had been
+cleaning the little addition at the rear of the dwelling proper, used as
+a kitchen, and her work took her into the yard. Dolly's whinny had
+caused her to turn her head, and the next moment cares and
+responsibilities and all else were forgotten. Now she wondered what she
+had been about! Seizing a cloth she began to dust industriously. The
+crash of one of the dishes on the kitchen floor brought her to her
+senses. Her mother heard the noise from the adjoining room.
+
+"What ails thee, child? Hast thou lost thy reason?"
+
+"I believe so, mommy. I must have been thinking of other things." And
+she stooped to gather the fragments.
+
+"Was it Captain Meagher? I saw you two at the gate."
+
+A guilty smile stole over the corners of her mouth.
+
+"He was passing while I was in the yard, and he stopped only to wish me
+the greetings of the day. I was right glad that he did, for I had an
+opportunity of extending to him the invitation from Peggy."
+
+"He will go, I suppose?" she queried, knowing well what the answer might
+be. She did not spare the time to stop for conversation, but continued
+with her duties.
+
+"He is quite pleased. And, mommy, he will call for me."
+
+"Be careful, now, to break no more dishes."
+
+"Lud! I have not lost my head yet. That was purely an accident which
+will not happen again."
+
+"That poor unfortunate Spangler made a better defense."
+
+"He deserved what he got. So did Lieutenant Lyons and the other officers
+of the Ranger who deserted to the enemy. But my sympathies go out to the
+old man who kept the gates under the city. These court-martials are
+becoming too common and I don't like them."
+
+"That is the horrible side of war, my dear. And until our people learn
+the value of patriotism, the need of abolishing all foreign ties and
+strongly adhering to the land that has offered them a home and a living,
+the necessity of these dreadful measures will never cease."
+
+"A little power is a dangerous weapon to thrust into a man's hand,
+unless he be great enough to wield it."
+
+"Now you are going to say that General Arnold is to blame for these
+tragedies."
+
+"No, I am not. But I do think that a great deal more of clemency could
+be exercised. Many of those poor tradesmen who were convicted and
+sentenced to be hanged could have been pardoned with equal security."
+
+"That is the law, my dear, and the law is God's will. Leave all to Him."
+
+
+Mrs. Allison was one of those good souls who saw no harm in the vilest
+of creatures; faults were hidden by her veil of sympathy. When
+distressing reverses or abject despair visited any one, Mrs. Allison's
+affability and indescribable tenderness smoothed over the troubled
+situation and brought forth a gleam of gladness. Quiet, kindly,
+magnanimous, tolerant, she could touch hearts to the depths in a manner
+both winning and lasting. Whether the fault entailed a punishment
+undeserved or inevitable, her feeling of pity was excited. She always
+sympathized without accusing or probing the source of the evil. She
+stretched forth a helping hand merely to aid. No nature, however hard,
+could be impervious to the sympathy and the sweetness of her
+affectionate disposition.
+
+Motherly was the quality written full upon Mrs. Allison's face. Her
+thoughts, her schemes, her purposes, her ambitions of life, were all
+colored by this maternal attribute. In her daily homage and obeisance to
+God, Whom she worshiped with the most childlike faith and simplicity; in
+the execution of the manifold duties of her home, Marjorie was to her
+ever a treasure of great price. She was sustained in her aims and
+purposes by an enduring power of will,--a power clothed with the soft,
+warm, living flesh of a kindly heart.
+
+Her marriage with Matthew Allison had been happy, a happiness
+intensified and concretely embodied in Marjorie, the only child
+vouchsafed to them by the Creator. How often, at the time when the
+deepening shadows moved their way across the dimming landscape,
+announcing to the work worn world the close of another day, would she
+sit for a brief while in silence and take complacence in the object of
+her hopes and aspirations! It was Marjorie for whom she lived and toiled
+and purposed. And it was Marjorie who embodied the sum-total of her
+fancies and ambitions and aspirations, and translated them into definite
+forms and realities.
+
+
+III
+
+A beautiful landscape unrolled itself before Stephen as he leisurely
+rode along the Germantown road. The midsummer sun was now high in the
+heavens, with just a little stir in the air to temper its warmth and
+oppressiveness. Fragments of clouds, which seemed to have torn
+themselves loose from some great heap massed beyond the ridge of low
+hills to the westward, drifted lazily across the waste of blue sky,
+wholly unconcerned as to their ultimate lot or destination. Breaths of
+sweet odor, from freshly cut hay or the hidden foliage bounding the
+road, were wafted along in the embraces of the gentle breeze. Away to
+the left and before him, as his horse cantered along, swelled the
+countryside in gentle undulations of green and brown, disfigured now and
+again by irregular patches of field and orchard yielding to cultivation;
+while to the side a stone wall humped itself along the winding road into
+the distance, its uniformity of contour broken here and there by a
+trellis work of yellow jasmine or crimson rambler, alternately
+reflecting lights and shadows from the passing clouds and sunshine. It
+was a day when all nature was in perfect tune, its harmony sweetly
+blending with the notes of gladness that throbbed in Stephen's heart.
+Yet he was scarce aware of it all, so completely absorbed was he in the
+confusion of his own thought.
+
+Stephen had a very clear idea of what he was to do in the immediate
+present, but he had no idea at all of what was to be done in the
+immediate future. First of all he would attend Mistress Marjorie at this
+informal affair, where, perhaps, he might learn more about the Military
+Governor. He half surmised that His Excellency was not kindly disposed
+towards Catholics in general, although he could not remember any
+concrete case in particular to substantiate his claim. Still he knew
+that he was avowedly opposed to the French Alliance, as were many
+illustrious citizens; and he presumed his feelings were due in part at
+least to the fact that France was a recognized Catholic country. There
+was a negative argument, too: no Catholic name was ever found among his
+appointments. These were but surmises, not evidence upon which to base
+even a suspicion. Nevertheless, they were worthy of some consideration
+until a conclusion of a more definite nature was warranted.
+
+That the Governor was becoming decidedly more unpopular every day and
+that this unpopularity was quite consequential, more consequential if
+anything than preconceived,--for it cannot be gainsaid that many had
+frowned upon his appointment from the very beginning,--Meagher knew very
+well. Unfavorable comparisons already had been drawn between the gayety
+of life under a free country and that of a colonial government. The fact
+that Arnold possessed the finest stable of horses in the city, and
+entertained at the most costly of dinners, at a time when the manner of
+living was extremely frugal, not so much from choice as from necessity,
+and at a time when the value of the Continental currency had depreciated
+to almost nothing, occasioned a host of acrid criticisms not only in the
+minds of the displeased populace, but also in the less friendly columns
+of the daily press.
+
+Censures of the harshest nature were continually uttered against the
+Governor's conduct of the affairs of the city government together with
+his earlier order closing the shops. Now, the use that he began to make
+of the government wagons in moving the stores excited further complaints
+of a more public nature, the more so that no particular distinction was
+being made as to whether the stores belonged to the Whigs or the
+offending Tories. It was no idle gossip that he curried favor with the
+upper Tory class of the city, now particular mention was made of his
+infatuation with the daughter of Edward Shippen. It was whispered, too,
+that the misuse of his authority in the grant of safe passes to and from
+New York had led to the present act of the Congress in recalling all
+passes. Stephen knew all this and he logically surmised more; so he
+longed for the opportunity to study intimately this man now occupying
+the highest military post in the city and the state.
+
+For the present he would return home and bide his time until Friday
+evening when he would have the happiness of escorting Marjorie to the
+home of Peggy Shippen.
+
+"I wonder, Dolly, old girl, if I can make myself bold enough to call her
+'Marjorie.' 'Marjorie,' Margaret,'" he repeated them over to himself. "I
+don't know which is the prettier. She would be a pearl among women, and
+she is, isn't she, Dolly?"
+
+He would ask her at any rate. He would be her partner for the evening,
+would dance with her, and would sit by her side. Peggy would be there,
+too, and the General. He would observe them closely, and perchance,
+converse with them. Colonel Forrest and the General's active
+aide-de-camp, Major Franks, a Philadelphian, and a Jew would also be
+present. Altogether the evening promised to be interesting as well as
+happy.
+
+He was musing in this manner when he heard the hoof beats of a horse,
+heavily ridden, gaining upon him in the rear. He drew up and half turned
+instinctively at the strange yet familiar sound. Suddenly there hove
+into view at the bend of the road an officer of the Continental Army, in
+full uniform, booted and spurred, whose appearance caused him to turn
+full about to await him. It was not long before he recognized the
+familiar figure of the aide, Major Franks, and he lifted his arm to
+salute.
+
+"Captain Meagher, I have orders for your arrest."
+
+"Sir?" answered Stephen in alarm.
+
+"On charges preferred by Colonel Forrest. You are to come with me at
+once."
+
+An embarrassing silence ensued.
+
+Stephen then saluted, and handed over his side arms. He wheeled his
+horse and set off in the direction indicated, his thoughts in a turmoil.
+
+The Major fell in at the rear.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+I
+
+     "For still my mem'ry lingers on the scenes
+       And pleasures of the days beyond recall."
+
+
+Peggy's voice, timid, soft though pretty, died away into an enraptured
+silence which seemed to endure for the longest while before the room
+burst into a generous measure of applause. She was very well accompanied
+on the clavichord by Miss Rutteledge and on the harp by Monsieur Ottow,
+Secretary to the French Minister. The evening had been delightful; the
+assembly brilliant in quality, and unaffectedly congenial and diverting.
+The music had contributed much to the pleasures of the function, for the
+Shippens' was one of the few homes in the city where such a resource was
+at all possible.
+
+"Major! Major Franks! What do you think of my little girl? Do you think
+'twould be well for her to cultivate such a voice?"
+
+Mrs. Shippen turned sideways. There was gratification, genuine,
+complacent gratification, visible in every line of her smiling face.
+
+"Splendid! Splendid! Of course. Madame, she sings very prettily,"
+replied the Major, gathering himself from the state of partial repose
+into which he had fallen.
+
+He sat up.
+
+"And do you know, Major," went on the fond mother, "she never had a
+tutor, except some of our dear friends who made this their home during
+the winter."
+
+"You mean the British?"
+
+"Of course they did not make so free with everybody in the city, with
+only a few, you know. It was for General Howe himself that Margaret
+first made bold enough to sing."
+
+"She does very well, I am sure," was the reply.
+
+The little group again lapsed into silence as Peggy responded with an
+encore, this selection being a patriotic air of a lighter vein. The
+Major again lapsed into an easy attitude, but Mrs. Shippen was visibly
+intent upon every motion of the singer and followed her every syllable.
+
+"How much does music contribute to one's pleasure!" she remarked when
+the conversation began to stir.
+
+"It is charming," Mr. Anderson observed.
+
+"And do you know that we inherited that clavichord? It is one of the
+oldest in the country."
+
+"It appears to be of rare design," remarked Mr. Anderson, as his eyes
+pierced the distance in a steady observance of it.
+
+"It belonged to Mr. Shippen's father," she boasted. "This house, you
+know, was the home of Edward Shippen, who was Mayor of the city over an
+hundred years ago. It was then, if I do say it, the most pretentious
+home in the city. My husband was for disposing of it and removing to
+less fashionable quarters, but I would not hear of it. Never!"
+
+Major Franks surveyed the great room deliberately.
+
+"'Twould make a fine castle!" he commented as he half turned and crossed
+one knee over the other. He felt that this would be his last visit if
+he continued to take any less interest, yet even that apparently caused
+him no great concern.
+
+And yet, a great house it was, the quondam residence of Edward Shippen,
+the progenitor of the present family, a former Mayor of the city, who
+had fled thither from Boston where he had suffered persecution at the
+hands of the Puritans who could not allow him to be a Quaker. It stood
+on an eminence outside the city. It was well surrounded, with its great
+orchard, its summer house, its garden smiling with roses, and lilies;
+bordered by rows of yellow pines shading the rear, with a spacious green
+lawn away to the front affording an unobstructed view of the city and
+the Delaware shore. It was a residence of pretentious design and at the
+time of its construction was easily the most sumptuous home in the city.
+
+The Shippens had been the leaders of the fashionable set, not alone in
+days gone by, the days of colonial manners when diversions and
+enjoyments were indulged in as far as the austerities of the staid old
+Quaker code would allow; but also during the days of the present
+visitation of the British, when emulation in the entertainment of the
+visitors ran riot among the townsfolk. Small wonder that the present
+lord of the manor felt constrained to write to his father that he should
+be under the necessity of removing from this luxurious abode to
+Lancaster, "for the style of living my fashionable daughters have
+introduced into my family and their dress will I fear before long oblige
+me to change the scene." Yet if the truth were told, the style of living
+inaugurated by the ambitious daughters was no less a heritage than a
+part of the discipline in which they had been reared.
+
+If the sudden and forced departure of the dashing as well as the
+eligible British Officers from the city had totally upset the cherished
+social aspirations of the mother of the Shippen girls, the advent of the
+gallant and unmarried Military Governor had lifted them to a newer and
+much higher plane of endeavor. The termination of a matrimonial alliance
+with the second in command of the patriotic forces not less than the
+foremost in rank of the city gentry, would more than compensate for the
+loss of a possible British peerage. Theirs was a proud lineage to boast
+of and a mode of unfeigned comfort and display. And it took but the
+briefest possible time for the artful mother to discern that her clever
+and subtle devices were beginning to meet with some degree of success.
+
+The present function was wholly her affair, and while it was announced
+as a purely informal gathering, the manner and the scheme of the
+decorations, the elegance and the care with which the women dressed, the
+order, the appointments, the refreshments, not to mention the
+distinguished French visitors, would permit no one to surmise that, even
+for a moment. Care had been taken to issue invitations to the
+representative members of the city's upper class, more especially to the
+newly arrived French Officers and their wives, as well as the
+commissioned members of the Continental Army. There were the Shippen
+girls, their persistent friend, Miss Chew, as well as Miss Franks, whose
+brother was now attached to the staff of General Arnold, and a dozen
+other young ladies, all attractive, and dressed in the prevailing
+elegance of fashion; the hair in an enormous coiffure, in imitation of
+the fashions of the French, with turbans of gauze and spangles and ropes
+of pearls, the low bodices with the bow in front, the wide sashes
+below. It was an altogether brilliant assembly, with the Military
+Governor the most brilliant of all.
+
+"Tell me, Major," asked Mrs. Shippen in measured and subdued language as
+she leaned forward in an apparently confidential manner, "does General
+Arnold visit often?"
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied the Major at once, "he is very generous with his
+company."
+
+Her face fell somewhat.
+
+"Now, isn't that strange? I was told that he made a practice of calling
+at no home outside of ours."
+
+He uncrossed his leg and shifted in his chair rather uneasily.
+
+"Quite true." He saw at once that he had made an unhappy remark. "But of
+course he makes no social calls, none whatsoever. You must know that the
+affairs of state require all of his time, for which duty he is obliged
+to visit many people on matters of pure business."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+She appeared satisfied at this explanation.
+
+"It seems as if we had known him all our lives. He feels so perfectly at
+home with us."
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"You have met him often with us, haven't you, Marjorie?"
+
+"I first met him at the Military Ball through Peggy," Marjorie replied
+naïvely.
+
+"But you must have met him here. He has been here so often," she
+insisted.
+
+"Then I vow our General has felt the smite of your fair daughter's
+charms," remarked Mr. Anderson.
+
+Marjorie breathed a sigh of relief at the timely interruption.
+
+"Do you really think so?" asked Mrs. Shippen, with no attempt to conceal
+her impatience.
+
+"Unquestionably.
+
+
+           'Smiles from reason flow,
+     To brute denied, and are of love the food.'
+
+
+So sang the bard, and so sing I of His Excellency."
+
+"But his age! He cannot now be thinking of matrimony."
+
+"Age, my dear Mrs. Shippen, is a matter of feeling, not of years. The
+greatest miracle of love is to eradicate all disparity. Before it age,
+rank, lineage, distinction dissolve like the slowly fading light of the
+sun at eventide. The General is bent on conquest; that I'll wager. What
+say you, Major? A five pound note?"
+
+"Not I. 'Old men are twice children,' you know."
+
+"Well, if I do say it," remarked Mrs. Shippen, "my daughter has had a
+splendid education and is as cultured a girl as there is in the city and
+would make a fitting helpmate for any man, no matter what his position
+in life may be."
+
+The orchestra began to fill the room with the strains of the minuet. Mr.
+Anderson arose and advanced towards Marjorie.
+
+"May I have the pleasure of your company?" he said.
+
+Marjorie arose and gave him her arm.
+
+
+II
+
+She tripped through the graces of the minuet in a mechanical sort of a
+fashion, her thoughts in a far off land of amazement and gloomy
+desolation. The unexpected and adverse stroke of fortune which had
+descended with hawk-like velocity upon Stephen had thoroughly
+disconcerted her. Try as she would, her imagination could not be brought
+under her control. There was one image that would not out, and that was
+Stephen's.
+
+A short note from him gave the first inkling to her. He had been placed
+under arrest by order of Major-General Arnold on the charge of striking
+his superior officer, in violation of the Fifth Article, Second Section
+of the American Articles of War. The charge had been preferred on the
+evening previous to his arrest and bore the signature of Colonel
+Forrest, with whom, she called to mind, he had participated in the
+affray at the Inn.
+
+Little would come of it. Of that she could rest assured. For if he chose
+to present his side of the case, cause might be found against the
+Colonel in the matter of disrespectful language against the
+Commander-in-chief. On that account the affair would very probably end
+where it had begun and his sword would once more be restored to him.
+Should the Colonel press the case, however, it would result in a
+court-martial, that being the usual tribunal before which such matters
+were tried.
+
+For the present he was under arrest. He was not confined and no limits
+were assigned to him in the order of his arrest, yet he was deprived of
+his sword and therefore without power to exercise any military command
+pending his trial. Since it was considered indecorous in an officer
+under arrest to appear at public places, it would be impossible for him
+to accompany her to the home of the Shippens on Friday evening. This
+caused him the greater concern, yet his word of honor obliged him to
+await either the issue of his trial or his enlargement by the proper
+authority.
+
+He bade her be of good cheer and asked a remembrance in her prayers,
+assuring her she would be ever present in his thoughts. Since he was
+allowed the use of his personal liberty, he would soon make use of a
+favorable opportunity to pay her a call. Until then, he could tell her
+no more, save the desire to have her attend the party and to enjoy
+herself to the utmost.
+
+From the moment of her receipt of this letter, she had rehearsed the
+incidents therein narrated over and over again. Go where she would her
+thought followed her as instinctively as the homeward trail of the bee.
+Reflection possessed her and she was lost in the intricate maze of the
+world of fancy.
+
+To follow mere instinct does not beseem a man, yet for woman this
+faculty is the height of reason and will be trusted by her to the very
+end. Marjorie's instinct told her that all would not be well with
+Stephen, notwithstanding his place of honor on the staff of the
+Commander-in-chief, to whom he might readily appeal should the occasion
+require. The charge was of minor consequence, and could under ordinary
+circumstances be dismissed; but it would not be dismissed. He would be
+tried, found guilty, and sentenced. A consummation too horrible for
+thought!
+
+She could not enjoy herself at Peggy's function, that she knew. But she
+must attend, if for no other reason than for appearance. The strange
+regard for this officer, which she had discovered to be growing daily in
+intensity and depth, had been brought to definite realization by the
+sudden crisis in Stephen's fortunes. The sudden revelation of this truth
+from which she was wont to recoil with petulant diffidence alarmed her
+not a little. She must not allow herself to be perturbed over this
+incident, and no one, not even her mother, must ever be permitted to
+detect the slightest concern on her part.
+
+"You seem unusually preoccupied this evening, Mistress Allison,"
+remarked Mr. Anderson as he led her to one side of the room at the
+conclusion of the dance.
+
+Marjorie started. She could feel herself coloring into a deep scarlet,
+which endured the more as she strove desperately to retain her natural
+composure.
+
+"I? Why? No! Did I appear absent-minded?"
+
+"As if sojourning in some far off land."
+
+She thought for a moment.
+
+"We all inhabit dream countries."
+
+"True. We do. And there is no swifter vehicle to that fair land than an
+inattentive companion."
+
+"You mean----"
+
+"That I am entirely at fault for allowing you to wander there."
+
+"You are unkind to yourself to say that."
+
+"I vow I mean it."
+
+They neared the settee into which he gallantly assisted her. She made
+room for him by drawing back the folds of her gown.
+
+"Have you ever had a miniature made?" he asked of her.
+
+"Never. I scarce gave it a thought," she replied nonchalantly.
+
+"In that gown, you would make a perfect picture."
+
+"Couldst thou paint it?" she asked quickly with the attitude of one who
+has proposed an impossible question.
+
+"Aye, and willingly, would I," he smartly replied.
+
+"I should love to see it. I should scarce know mine own face."
+
+She regarded the subject with ridicule, observing as she spoke the end
+of the sash with which her fingers had been fumbling.
+
+"You shall see it as it is with no artful flattery to disfigure it. May
+I bring it in person? The post-rider's bag is too unworthy a messenger."
+
+"Lud! I shall be unable to restrain my curiosity and await the carrier."
+
+"Then I shall be the carrier."
+
+"Nothing would afford me more pleasure."
+
+Neither of the two spoke for a moment.
+
+She wondered if she were imprudent. While she had not known this man
+before this evening, still she knew of him as the one who took part in
+the disturbance at the Coffee House.
+
+He seemed unusually attentive to her, although not unpleasantly so, and
+innocently enough the question presented itself to her as to the import
+of his motives. He had sought no information nor did he disclose any
+concerning himself, for at no time did their conversation arise to any
+plane above the commonplace. Yet she was willing to see him again and to
+discover, if possible, the true state of his mind.
+
+Stephen, she knew, would approve of her action; not only because of the
+personal satisfaction which might be derived therefrom, but also because
+of the possibilities which such a meeting might unfold. That Anderson
+was prompted by some ulterior motive and that he was not attracted so
+much by her charms as by the desire of seeking some advantage, she was
+keen enough to sense. Just what this quest might lead to could not be
+fathomed, yet it presented at all hazards a situation worthy of more
+than a passing notice.
+
+She mistrusted General Arnold, a mere opinion it was true, for she
+possessed no evidence to warrant even a suspicion, yet something about
+the man created within her heart a great want of confidence and
+reliance. He was supremely overbearing and unusually sensitive. This,
+together with his vaulting ambition and love of display,--traits which
+even the merest novice could not fail to observe,--might render him
+capable of the most brilliant achievements, such as his exploits before
+the walls of Quebec and on the field of Saratoga, or of unwise and
+wholly irresponsible actions, of some of which, although of minor
+consequence, he had been guilty during the past few months. He disliked
+her form of religious worship, and she strongly suspected this was the
+reason he so openly opposed the alliance with the French. She regarded
+this prejudice as a sad misfortune in a man of authority. His judgments
+were liable to be clouded and unfair.
+
+She knew Peggy like a book and she could easily imagine the influence
+such a girl could exert, as a wife, on a man so constituted. Peggy's
+social ambition and her marked passion for display and domination,
+traits no less apparent in her than in her mother, would lead her to
+view the overtures of her impetuous suitor with favor, notwithstanding
+the fact that he was almost double her own age. As his wife she would
+attain a social prestige. She was a Tory at heart, and he evidenced at
+sundry times the same inclinations. She was a Quaker, while he belonged
+to the religion of His Majesty, the King; nevertheless, both agreed in
+this, that the miserable Papists were an ambitious and crafty lot, who
+were bent on obtaining an early and complete mastery over this country.
+The pair were well mated in many respects, thought Marjorie, the
+disparity in their ages was all that would render the match at all
+irregular, although Peggy's more resolute will and intense ambition
+would make her the dominant member of the alliance. Little as the
+General suspected it, Marjorie thought, he was slowly, though surely,
+being encircled in the web which Peggy and her artful mother were
+industriously spinning about him.
+
+
+III
+
+Marjorie and Anderson sat conversing long and earnestly. Several dances
+were announced and engaged in, with little or no manifest attention on
+their part, so engrossed were they in the matter of more serious import.
+At length they deserted their vantage ground for the more open and
+crowded room, pausing before Peggy and the General, who were sheltered
+near the entrance.
+
+"Heigho, John!" exclaimed His Excellency upon their approach, "what
+strange absconding is this? Have a care, my boy, lest you have to answer
+to Captain Meagher."
+
+Marjorie felt the gaze of the group full upon her. She flushed a little.
+
+"Little or no danger, nor cause alleged," she laughed.
+
+"Captain Meagher!" recollected Anderson, "does he excel?"
+
+"I scarce know," replied Marjorie. "I have met him not over thrice in my
+life."
+
+"Once is quite sufficient," said the General. "First impressions often
+endure. But stay. Draw your chairs. I was only saying that I may be
+required to leave here shortly."
+
+"You have been transferred?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"No! But I have written to Washington begging for a command in the navy.
+My wounds are in a fair way and less painful than usual, though there is
+little prospect of my being able to be in the field for a considerable
+time."
+
+They sat down as requested, opposite Peggy and the General.
+
+"But, General, have you not taken us into your consideration?" asked
+Anderson.
+
+"I have, yet the criticism is becoming unendurable. Of course you have
+heard that matters have already become strained between the civil
+government and myself. Only last week my head aide-de-camp sent for a
+barber who was attached to a neighboring regiment, using as a messenger
+the orderly whom I had stationed at the door. For this trifling order
+there has been aroused a hornet's nest."
+
+"Wherein lay the fault?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"In this. It appears from a letter which I have already received from
+the father of the sergeant (Matlack is his name, to be exact) that the
+boy was hurt by the order itself and the manner of it, and as a freeman
+would not submit to such an indignity as to summon a barber for the aide
+of a commanding officer. We have a proud, stubborn people to rule, who
+are no more fitted for self-government than the Irish----"
+
+He stopped short.
+
+Marjorie bit her lip. "I wish, General, you would withdraw your
+comparison. It is painful to me."
+
+"I am sorry, Mistress Allison. As a matter of fact I hardly knew what I
+had said. I do withdraw it."
+
+"Thank you so much."
+
+Then he went on.
+
+"These Americans are not only ungrateful, but stupidly arrogant. What
+comparison can be drawn between this dullard, Matlack, whose feelings as
+a citizen were hurt by an order of an aide-de-camp, and I, when I was
+obliged to serve a whole campaign under the command of a gentleman who
+was not known as a soldier until I had been some time a brigadier. My
+feelings had to be sacrificed to the interest of my country. Does not
+the fool know that I became a soldier and bear the marks upon me, to
+vindicate the rights of citizens?"
+
+He talked rapidly, yet impassionately. It was plain, however, that he
+was seriously annoyed over the turn of events, on which subject he
+conversed with his whole being. He made gestures with violence. His face
+became livid. His attitude was menacing.
+
+"On my arrival here, my very first act was condemned. It became my duty,
+because of sealed orders from the Commander-in-chief, who enclosed a
+resolution adopted by Congress, to close the shops. From the day,
+censure was directed against me. I was not the instigator of it. Yet I
+was all to blame."
+
+He sat up with his hands on his knees, looking fiercely into the next
+room.
+
+"I would not feel so bitter, your Excellency," volunteered Anderson.
+"Military orders, however necessary, always seem oppressive to civilians
+and shopkeepers."
+
+"I have labored well for the cause, and my reward has been this. I took
+Ticonderoga, although Allen got the credit for it. I would have taken
+Canada, if Congress had not blundered. I saved Lake Champlain with my
+flotilla,--a fleet that lived to no better purpose nor died more
+gloriously,--and for this I got no promotion, nor did I expect one. I
+won at Ridgefield and received a Major-Generalship, only to find myself
+outranked by five others. At Saratoga I was without a command, yet I
+succeeded in defeating an army. For that service I was accused of being
+drunk by the general in command, who, for his service, received a gold
+medal with a vote of thanks from Congress, while I--well, the people
+gave me their applause; Congress gave me a horse, but what I prize more
+than all,--these sword knots," he took hold of them as he spoke, "a
+personal offering from the Commander-in-chief. I gave my all. I received
+a few empty honors and the ingratitude of a jealous people."
+
+He paused.
+
+"General," began Marjorie, "you know the people still worship you and
+they do want you for their popular leader."
+
+"I know differently," he snapped back. "I have already petitioned
+Congress for a grant of land in western New York, where I intend to lead
+the kind of life led by my friend Schuyler in Livingston, or the Van
+Renssalaers and other country gentlemen. My ambition now is to be a good
+citizen, for I intend never to draw a sword on the American side."
+
+He again grew silent.
+
+Whether he was sincere in his remarks, and his manner of expression
+seemingly revealed no other disposition of mind, or was swayed simply by
+some unfounded antipathy which caused the image of his aversion to
+become a sort of hallucination, Marjorie could not decide. She knew him
+to be impulsive and irrepressible, a man who, because of his deficiency
+in breadth, scope of intelligence, and strong moral convictions,
+invariably formed his opinions in public matter on his personal
+feelings. He was a man of moods, admirably suited withal for a command
+in the field where bluntness and abruptness of manner could cause him to
+rise to an emergency, but wholly unfitted for this reason for a
+diplomatic office where the utmost delicacy of tact and nicety of
+decision are habitually required.
+
+She knew, moreover, that he ever bore a fierce grudge towards Congress
+for the slights which it had put upon him, and that this intense
+feeling, together with his indomitable self-will, had brought him into
+conflict with the established civil authority. He was Military Governor
+of the city and adjacent countryside, yet there existed an Executive
+Council of Pennsylvania for the care of the state, and the line of
+demarcation between the two powers never had been clearly drawn.
+Accordingly there soon arose many occasions for dispute, which a more
+even-tempered man would have had the foresight to avoid. His point of
+view was narrow, not only in affairs civil and political, but it must be
+said, in social and religious as well. Of all commanders, he was the
+most unsuited for the task.
+
+Furthermore she knew that he was becoming decidedly more unpopular each
+day, not only because of the extravagance in his manner of living, but
+also because of his too frequent association with the Tory element of
+the city. While the British had held the city many of the more
+aristocratic inhabitants had given them active aid and encouragement,
+much to the displeasure of the more loyal though less important lower
+class. Consequently when the days of the evacuation had come and the
+city had settled down once again to its former style of living, many of
+the Tory element were compelled to leave town while those who had
+remained behind were practically proscribed. Small wonder was it that
+indignation ran riot when the first Military Governor openly cast his
+lot with the enemies of the cause and consorted with them freely and
+frequently.
+
+It was entirely possible that he would abide by his decision to resign
+all public office and retire to private life, notwithstanding the fact
+that he already had at this same moment despatched a letter to General
+Washington requesting a command in the navy. But she read him
+differently and found herself surprised to learn of his intended
+withdrawal, for his very nature seemed to indicate that he would fight
+his cause to the bitter end, and that end one of personal satisfaction
+and revenge.
+
+Several of the guests prepared to depart. The little group disbanded as
+Peggy made her way to their side.
+
+Marjorie and John Anderson lost each other for the first time in the
+mêlée which ensued.
+
+
+IV
+
+"Perhaps I ought to return," Marjorie muttered to herself, now that she
+was quite alone. "I am sure that he dropped something."
+
+And she began to retrace her steps.
+
+She felt positive that she saw General Arnold accidentally dislodge what
+appeared to be a folded note from his belt when he took hold of the
+sword knots in the course of his conversation. Very likely it was a
+report of some nature, which had been hurriedly thrust into his belt
+during some more preoccupied moment. At any rate it might be safer in
+her hands than to be left to some less interested person. She would
+investigate at any rate and resolve her doubts.
+
+Sure enough, there it was. Just behind the armchair in which he had been
+seated but a few moments before. None of the others had observed it, she
+thought, for she alone was in a position, a little to his left, to
+notice it, when it had become loosed.
+
+She picked it up and regarded it carelessly, nervously, peering the
+while into the great room beyond to discover, if possible, an
+eye-witness to her secret. From its appearance it was no more than a
+friendly communication written on conventional letter paper. It was
+unsealed, or rather the seal had been broken and from the wrinkled
+condition of the paper gave evidence of not a little handling. It
+belonged to Peggy. There was no doubt about that, for there was her name
+in heavy bold script on the outside.
+
+She balanced it in her hand, weighing, at the same time, within her
+mind, one or two possibilities. She might read it and then, if the
+matter required it, return it immediately to His Excellency with an
+explanation. Yet it would smack of dishonor to read the private
+correspondence of another without a sufficiently grave reason. It
+belonged to Peggy, who, in all probability, had been acquainting the
+General with its contents as Mr. Anderson and herself intruded upon the
+scene. She therefore resolved to return it unread.
+
+Hastily folding it, she stuck it into her bodice, and made her way into
+the room where she became lost among the guests. There would be time
+enough when the formalities of the departure were over, when Peggy was
+less occupied, to hand it her. She would wait at any rate until later in
+the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+I
+
+But she did not return the paper. For with the commotion of the guests
+in the several orders of their going, a serious business of felicitation
+and devoir was demanded alongside of which all other matters only served
+as distractions. Consequently, the note once placed within her bodice,
+all thought of it vanished for the remainder of the evening.
+
+Only when she had returned home that night, fatigued and almost
+disgusted with the perfunctory performances of the evening, did she
+discover it, and then not until she was about to remove the garment
+within whose folds it lay concealed. It fell to the ground; she stooped
+to pick it up.
+
+"Oh, dear! I quite forgot it. I must attend to it the first thing in the
+morning."
+
+And she placed it on the dresser where it could not escape her eye. Then
+she retired.
+
+But she did not sleep. There she lay wide awake tossing nervously to and
+fro. She tried to close her eyes only to find them wandering about the
+room in the obscure dimness, focusing themselves now on the old mahogany
+dresser, now on the little prie-Dieu against the inner wall with the
+small ivory crucifix outlined faintly above it, now on the chintz
+hangings that covered the window. She could hear her heart, pounding its
+great weight of bitterness against the pillow; and as she listened she
+thought of Stephen's arrest and of its thousand and one horrible
+consequences. She tried to congratulate herself on her sweet serenity
+and the serenity only mocked her and anticipation loomed as fiercely as
+before.
+
+The next she knew was a quiet awakening, as if her mother's hand had
+been put gently on her arm. Outside ten thousand light leaves shivered
+gently and the birds were calling to one another in melodious tones.
+This was her first glimpse of the day and it sent her suddenly to her
+knees.
+
+
+Stephen came late that afternoon. He had not been expected; yet she was
+happy because he came. She had done little that day; had not left the
+house, nor dressed for the occasion. The note was where she had left it,
+and all reference to it buried with her thoughts of the evening.
+
+"I cannot yet tell how it has been decided. They went into executive
+session at once."
+
+"But,... Surely,... They could not find you guilty?"
+
+"Oh, well."
+
+"Please.... Won't you tell me?"
+
+"There is little to tell. It was very brief."
+
+He could not become enthusiastic.
+
+"Then you were put to trial?" she asked with an apprehension uncertain
+in quality.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Go on. Tell me."
+
+He was silent. He desired to withhold nothing from her, yet he could not
+find the words he wanted.
+
+"What happened?" She was persistent.
+
+"Well.... I don't know.... I soured on the whole proceeding. The
+court-martial met, the Regimental Court Martial, with three members.
+This was permissible. They began, reading the charge as preferred by
+Colonel Forrest, which was to the effect that I had been guilty of
+striking my superior officer, Colonel Forrest, by attempting to choke
+him. To this was added the accusation of abusive, threatening language
+as well as a threat of murder. I, of course, pleaded not guilty; nor did
+I prepare any defense. The affair was so trivial that I was surprised
+that it ever had been brought to trial."
+
+"How long did the proceedings last?"
+
+"They were very brief. Several witnesses were examined, the chief one
+being Mr. Anderson."
+
+"I know him," remarked Marjorie.
+
+"You know him?"
+
+"I met him last evening at Shippens'."
+
+"Did he say aught about me?"
+
+"Not a word."
+
+"Well, he appeared against me. After a few more preliminary questions I
+was put on the stand in my own defense. I told briefly the circumstances
+which led to the incident (I would not call it an assault, for I
+continually maintained it to be of a trivial nature and worthy only of
+an explanation). I told how the Colonel had used certain derogatory
+remarks against the faith that I believed and practiced, which
+occasioned a violent argument. This, I think, was the great mistake I
+made, for it appeared to make an unfavorable impression upon the Court.
+In this respect they were unquestionably on the side of Forrest. Then I
+related the remark incident to my action, and announced that I would
+repeat the deed under similar circumstances were the same disrespectful
+language directed against the Commander-in-chief. This, I fear, made
+little impression either since I was already attached to the staff of
+General Washington. And a jealous rival general was about to decide my
+guilt. That ended it. I was excused and the Court adjourned."
+
+He paused.
+
+"For these reasons I have serious misgivings as to my fate."
+
+"What can happen to you?"
+
+"I do not know. It may result in a suspension, and it may result in a
+verdict of 'not guilty.'"
+
+"Will you know very soon?"
+
+"I shall be summoned before them."
+
+Neither spoke for a time.
+
+"Do you know," observed Marjorie, "I greatly mistrust General Arnold and
+I fear that he already has decided against you."
+
+"What causes you to say that?"
+
+"Well ... I don't know ... I just think it. While listening to him last
+evening I drew that impression."
+
+"Did he say anything against us?"
+
+"He is enraged at Congress and he has long felt persecuted and insulted
+by the people. He desires a command in the navy and has already written
+Washington to that effect; and again he would petition Congress for a
+grant of land in New York where he would retire to private life, for he
+vows he never will again draw sword on the American side."
+
+"Did he say this?" asked Stephen.
+
+"He did."
+
+"Do you think that he was sincere?"
+
+"I really do. He talked with all the earnestness of a man of
+conviction. Somehow or other I greatly mistrust him. And he is extremely
+bigoted."
+
+"I rather suspect this, although I have had no proofs of it. If he is,
+it will out very soon."
+
+"And you may be assured, too, that he will have an able adjutant in
+Peggy. She is his counterpart in every particular."
+
+He looked at her as she spoke, and was amazed by the excitement in her
+face. She talked excitedly; her eyes, those large vivacious brown eyes
+that looked out of her pretty oval face, were alight, and her face had
+gone pale.
+
+"I was interested in them last evening and with the apparent zeal
+displayed by Peggy's mother in favor of the match. I would not be
+surprised to hear of an announcement from that source at any time."
+
+"Has it reached that stage?"
+
+"Most assuredly! I decided that they already are on terms of intimacy
+where secrets now obtain a common value."
+
+"You think that?"
+
+"Well.... I do.... Yes. I know, for instance that he had a letter in his
+possession which was addressed to her, which letter had its origin in
+New York."
+
+"How came he by it?"
+
+"She must have given it to him. I have it now."
+
+"You have it?"
+
+He sat up very much surprised.
+
+"Where did you get it?"
+
+"I found it."
+
+"Did you read it?"
+
+"No."
+
+She smiled at him, and at his great perplexity over the apparent
+mystery.
+
+And then she told him of the little party; of herself and Mr. Anderson,
+and their intrusion upon General Arnold and Peggy; of their conversation
+and the falling of the note; of her subsequent return for it together
+with the placing of it within her bodice and the state of temporary
+oblivion into which the incident finally had lapsed.
+
+"You have that letter now?" he asked with no attempt to conceal his
+anxiety.
+
+"Yes. Upstairs."
+
+"May I see it? Really I would not ask this did I not think it quite
+important."
+
+"Very well."
+
+She left to fetch it.
+
+
+"Who is this man, Anderson?" Stephen asked upon her return. "Do you know
+him?"
+
+"No. But he is very engaging. He was my partner during the evening."
+
+She did not deem it wise to tell him everything, at least not at this
+time.
+
+"How long have you known him?" he inquired impatiently.
+
+She smiled sweetly at him.
+
+"Since last night," was the brief response.
+
+"Where did he come from?"
+
+"I scarce know. You yourself mentioned his name for the first time to
+me. I was greatly surprised when presented to him last night."
+
+"Did he come with General Arnold's party, or is he a friend of Peggy's?"
+
+"I don't think Peggy knew him before, although she may have met him
+with some of the officers before last evening. I should imagine from
+what you already know that he is acquainted with the Governor's party
+and through them received an invitation to be present.
+
+"Did he say aught of himself?"
+
+"Scarcely a thing. He has not been a resident of the city for any length
+of time, but where he originated, or what he purposes, I did not learn.
+I rather like him. He is well-mannered, refined and richly talented."
+
+"I sensed immediately that he was endowed with engaging personal
+qualities, and gifted with more than ordinary abilities," Stephen
+commented. "I have yet to learn his history, which is one of my duties,
+notwithstanding the unfortunate state of affairs which has lately come
+to pass."
+
+He stopped and took the letter which she held out to him. He opened it
+and read it carefully. Then he deliberately read it again.
+
+"You say no one knows of this?"
+
+"I am quite sure. Certainly no one saw me find it, although I am not
+certain that I alone saw it fall."
+
+"You are sure that it was in the Governor's possession?"
+
+"Quite. I saw it distinctly in his belt. I saw it fall to the ground
+when he caught hold of the sword knots."
+
+He leaned forward and reflected for a moment with his eyes intent on the
+note which he held opened before him. Suddenly he sat back in his chair
+and looked straight at her.
+
+"Marjorie," he said, "you promised to be of whatever assistance you
+could. Do you recall that promise?"
+
+"Very well."
+
+"Will you lend your assistance to me now?"
+
+She hesitated, wondering to what extent the demand might be made.
+
+"Are you unwilling?" he asked, for he perceived her timid misgiving.
+
+"No. What is it you want me to do?"
+
+"Simply this. Let me have this note."
+
+She deliberated.
+
+"Would not that be unfair to Peggy?"
+
+She feared that her sense of justice was being violated.
+
+"She does not know that you have it."
+
+"But I mean to tell her."
+
+"Please!... Well!... Well!... Need you do that immediately? Could you
+not let me have it for a few days? I shall return it to you. You can
+then take it to her."
+
+"You will let no one see it?"
+
+"Absolutely!"
+
+"Very well. And you will return it to me?"
+
+"I promise."
+
+And so it was agreed that Stephen should take the letter with him, which
+he promised to return together with the earliest news of the result of
+his court-martial.
+
+He stood up.
+
+
+II
+
+Stephen came out the little white gate closing it very deliberately
+behind him and immediately set off at a brisk pace down the street.
+Every fiber within him thrilled with energy. The road was dusty and hot,
+and his pace grew very strenuous and fervent. There was no breeze;
+there was no sound of wheels; all was quiet as the bells tolled out the
+hour of six. Nevertheless he trudged along with great haste without once
+stopping until he had reached the door of his lodgings.
+
+He turned the key and entered, closing the door behind him and taking
+the greatest of care to see that it was properly bolted. Flinging his
+hat into a chair as he passed, he went immediately to the table which
+served as his desk. While he pulled himself close to it, he reached into
+his pocket for the letter. He opened it before him and read it. Then he
+sat back and read it again; this time aloud:
+
+
+Co. 13
+
+                                             Headquarters, New York.
+                                                  15 July, 1778.
+
+Madame:--I am happy to have this opportunity to once again express my
+humble respects to you and to assure you that yourself together with
+your generous and hospitable friends are causing us much concern
+separated as we are by the duress of a merciless war. We lead a
+monotonous life, for outside of the regularities of army life, there is
+little to entertain us. Our hearts are torn with pangs of regret as we
+recall the golden days of the Mischienza.
+
+I would I could be of some service to you here, that you may understand
+that my protestations of zeal made on former occasions were not without
+some degree of sincerity. Let me add, too, that your many friends here
+present unite with me in these same sentiments of unaffected and genuine
+devotion.
+
+I beg you to present my best respects to your sisters, to the Misses
+Chew, and to Mrs. Shippen and Mrs. Chew.
+
+I have the honor to be with the greatest regard, Madame, your most
+obedient and most humble servant.
+
+                                                   W. CATHCART.
+
+Miss Peggy Shippen,
+Philadelphia.
+
+
+His face was working oddly, as if with mingled perplexity and pleasure;
+and he caught his lip in his teeth, as his manner was. What was this
+innocent note? Could it be so simple as it appeared? Vague possibilities
+passed through his mind.
+
+The longer he gazed at it the more simple it became, so that he was on
+the point of folding it and replacing it in his pocket, sadly
+disconcerted at its insignificance. He had hoped that he might have
+stumbled across something of real value, not only some secret
+information concerning the designs of the enemy, but also some evidence
+of an incriminating nature against his own acquaintances in the city.
+
+Suddenly he thought he saw certain letters dotted over, not entirely
+perceptible, yet quite discernible. He turned the paper over. The
+reverse was perfectly clear. He held it to the light but nothing
+appeared through.
+
+"By Jove!" he exclaimed softly.
+
+He looked closely again. Sure enough there were faint markings on
+several of the letters. The "H" was marked. So with the "V" in "have,"
+and the "A" and the "L." Snatching a pencil and a sheet of paper he made
+a list of the letters so marked.
+
+
+                        HVANLADERIIGAERODIRCUTN
+
+
+This meant nothing. That was apparent; nor could he make sense out of
+any combination of letters. He knew that there were certain codes
+whereby the two progressions, arithmetical and geometric were employed
+in their composition, but this seemingly answered to none of them. He
+went over the list again, comparing them with the marked letters as
+found in the note. Yes, they were identical. He had copied them
+faithfully.
+
+He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
+
+"So this was sent to Peggy from New York," he muttered to himself. "I
+strongly suspected that she was in communication with her British
+friends, although I never came in contact with the slightest evidence.
+This certainly proves it."
+
+He held the letter at a distance from him, attentively surveying it.
+
+"And General Arnold has been interested, too. Very likely, Marjorie's
+hypothesis is the true one. They had been reading the note when the
+newcomers arrived on the scene and the General stuck it in his belt
+until their greetings had been ended. Neither of them now know of its
+whereabouts; that much is certain."
+
+He stood up suddenly and strode about the room, his hands clasped behind
+him. Going to the window, he peered out through the small panes of glass
+of the uncurtained upper half. There burned the light across the dusk--a
+patch of jeweled color in the far off western sky. Yet it awakened no
+emotion at all.
+
+His mind was engaged in the most intricate process of thought. He
+deduced a hundred conclusions and rejected them with equal promptitude.
+He greatly admired General Arnold as the bravest leader in the line,
+whose courage, whose heroism, whose fearlessness had brought him signal
+successes. There was no more popular soldier in the army, nor one more
+capable of more effective service. To have his career clogged or goaded
+by a woman, who when she either loves or hates will dare anything, would
+be a dreadful calamity. Yet it seemed as if he had surrendered his
+better self.
+
+This man Anderson puzzled him. Personally he was disposed to dislike
+him, that being the logical effect of his relations with him. At the
+Coffee House, where he had met him, and where he had suffered his better
+judgment to become dormant, it was this man who had brought him to the
+pitch of irritation by means of a religious argument, while at the trial
+it was the same Anderson who appeared as an excellent witness and who by
+his clever, deliberate and self-possessed manner, made a strong point
+for the Colonel in the minds of the court.
+
+What was his origin? That he might never know, for of all subjects, this
+was the most artfully avoided. In the capacity of a civilian he was
+engaged in no fixed occupation so far as could be learned, and it was
+commonly known that he was a frequent visitor at the Governor's mansion.
+That he did not belong to the service, he knew very well, unless the man
+was affecting a disguise; this, however, he thought highly improbable.
+The French Alliance had been further confirmed by the arrival of the
+fleet, which brought many strangers to the city. Now as he thought of
+it, he had a certain manner about him somewhat characteristic of the
+French people, and it was entirely possible that he might have
+disembarked with the French visitors. He was a mystery anyhow.
+
+"Strange I should stumble across this chap," he mumbled to himself.
+
+
+III
+
+He awoke with a start.
+
+Just what the hour was, he could not know, for it was intensely dark. He
+reckoned that it could not be long after midnight, for it seemed as if
+he had scarcely fallen asleep. But there was a wonderful burst of light
+to his mind, a complete clarity of thought into which often those do
+awake who have fallen asleep in a state of great mental conflict. He
+opened his eyes and, as it were, beheld all that he was about to do;
+there was also a very vivid memory of his experience of the evening.
+
+He arose hurriedly and struck a light. He seized the letter in search of
+the momentous something that had dawned upon him with wonderful
+intensity.
+
+"Company Thirteen," he remarked with deliberate emphasis. "That must be
+the key."
+
+And seizing a paper he wrote the order of letters which he had copied
+from the note a few hours before.
+
+
+                            HVANLADERIIG
+
+
+He stopped at the thirteenth, and began a second line immediately under
+the line he had just written.
+
+
+                            AERODIRCUTN
+
+
+It inserted perfectly when read up and down beginning with the letter
+"H". He completed the sentence.
+
+
+                     HAVE ARNOLD AID RECRUITING
+
+
+He could not believe his eyes. What did it all mean? What regiment was
+this? Why should this be sent from a British officer to Peggy Shippen?
+There were mixed considerations here.
+
+There was a satisfaction, a very great satisfaction, in the knowledge
+that he was not entirely mistaken in his suspicions concerning Peggy.
+She was in communication with the British and perhaps had been for some
+time. This fact in itself was perfectly plain. The proof of it lay in
+his hand. Whether or not His Excellency was involved in the nefarious
+work was another question quite. The mere fact of the note being in his
+possession signified nothing, or if anything, no more than a
+coincidence. He might have read the note and, at the same time, have
+been entirely ignorant of the cipher, or he might have received this
+hidden information from the lips of Peggy herself, who undoubtedly had
+deciphered it at once.
+
+Yet what was the meaning of it all? There was no new call for
+volunteers, although, Heaven knows, there was an urgent need for them,
+the more especially after the severe winter at Valley Forge. Recruits
+had become exceedingly scarce, many of whom were already deserting to
+the British army at the rate of over a hundred a month while those who
+remained were without food or clothing. And when they were paid, they
+could buy, only with the greatest difficulty, a single bushel of wheat
+from the fruits of their four month's labor. And did it prove to be true
+that a new army was about to be recruited, why should the enemy manifest
+so much interest? The new set of difficulties into which he was now
+involved were more intricate than ever before.
+
+He extinguished the light and went to bed.
+
+The next day a number of copies of the New York _Gazette_ and _Weekly
+Mercury_ of the issue of July 13, 1778, found their way into the city.
+They were found to contain the following advertisement:
+
+
+                For the encouragement of all
+                    Gentlemen Volunteers,
+       Who are willing to serve in his Majesty's Regt. of
+                 Roman Catholic Volunteers,
+
+                        Commanded by
+
+                   Lieut.--Col. Commandant,
+
+                       ALFRED CLIFTON
+
+       During the present wanton and unnatural Rebellion,
+                       AND NO LONGER,
+                   The sum of FOUR POUNDS,
+            will be given above the usual Bounty,
+                    A suit of NEW CLOTHES,
+   And every other necessary to complete a Gentleman soldier.
+
+Those who are willing to show their attachment to their King and
+country by engaging in the above regiment, will call at Captain
+M'Kennon, at No. 51, in Cherry-street, near the Ship Yards, NEW
+YORK, or at Major John Lynch, encamped at Yellow-Hook, where
+they will receive present pay and good quarters.
+
+N. B.--Any person bringing a well-bodied loyal subject to either
+of the above places, shall receive ONE GUINEA for his trouble.
+
+                      God Save the King.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+I
+
+It was not until the following Wednesday night that John Anderson was
+ready to pay his respects to Mistress Marjorie.
+
+He had worked on the miniature since Saturday, and had regarded his
+finished product with eminent satisfaction. He had drawn her as she
+appeared to him on the night of the reception in the pose which he had
+best remembered her during the interval when she sat out the dance with
+him; her head turned partly towards him, revealing her small oval face
+surmounted by a wealth of brown hair, powdered to a gray; her small nose
+with just a suggestion of a dilatation lending to the face an expression
+of strength that the rest of the countenance only gave color to; the
+mouth, firmly set, its lines curving upward, as it should be, to
+harmonize with her disposition; the eyes, a soft brown, full of candor
+and sincerity, delicately shadowed by slender and arched eyebrows on a
+smooth forehead.
+
+Marjorie could not conceal her enthusiasm as he handed it to her. Unable
+to restrain her curiosity, she arose hurriedly and went to the window to
+benefit by the less obscure light.
+
+"Is--am I as pretty as that?" she exclaimed from her vantage point,
+without lifting her eyes from the portrait.
+
+"Only more so," responded Anderson. "My memory poorly served me."
+
+"Lud!" she remarked, holding it at arms length from her, "'Tis vastly
+flattering. I scarce recognize myself."
+
+She returned to her chair.
+
+"I swear on my honor, that it fails to do you full justice."
+
+She continued to study it, paying but little heed to his remark. It was
+a water-colored portrait done on ivory of the most delicate workmanship
+and design, set in a fine gold case, delicately engraved, the whole
+presenting an appearance of beauty, richly colored. She turned it over
+and saw the letters J.A.M.A. interlaced over the triplet:
+
+
+    "Hours fly; flowers die;
+    New days, new ways,
+    Pass by. Love stays."
+
+
+"It is very pretty," was her only comment.
+
+"Hast no one told thee how well thou might appear in a ball gown?"
+
+"I ne'er gave thought to such."
+
+"Nor what an impression thou wouldst make at court?"
+
+"Hast thou seen court beauties?"
+
+She resolved to learn more about him.
+
+"Aye! Oft have I been in their company."
+
+"At St. James?"
+
+"No. Much as I would have been pleased to. I know only Versailles."
+
+So she thought he must be a French nobleman, who like Lafayette had
+incurred the royal displeasure by running away from court to fit out a
+vessel at his own expense in the hope of furthering the cause of the
+Colonists. The great impulse given to the hopes of the disheartened
+population by the chivalrous exploit of the latter, the sensation
+produced both by his departure from Europe and by his appearance in this
+country, might behold a glorious repetition in the person of this
+unknown visitor.
+
+Her interest accordingly grew apace.
+
+"It was magnanimous of His Majesty to take our cause to his heart. We
+can never fail in our gratitude."
+
+"It is only natural for man to resist oppression. It has been written
+that it is only the meek who should possess the land."
+
+"An ideal which is often badly shattered by the selfish ambitions and
+perverse passions of godless men."
+
+"You are a Catholic?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"I am proud of it."
+
+"And your fellow patriots are of the same form of worship?"
+
+"A goodly proportion of them."
+
+"How many might you assume?"
+
+"I scarce know. We have no method of compiling our numbers, not even our
+total population."
+
+"Surely there must be a great percentage, if one considers the influx
+from France and England, not to mention Ireland, whence many fled from
+persecution."
+
+"I once heard Father Farmer say that there must be over seven thousand
+Catholics in Pennsylvania, while Maryland has about fifteen thousand.
+Whatever there remain are much scattered, except of course New York with
+its thousand."
+
+"I never dreamt they were so numerous! So great is the spirit of
+intolerance, that the wonder is that a single Catholic would remain in
+the Colonies."
+
+"I know it. Formerly Maryland and Pennsylvania were the two only
+colonies where Catholics were allowed to reside, and even there were
+excluded from any civil or military office. And the time has not yet
+arrived for complete religious freedom, though the arrival of the French
+fleet with its Catholic army and Catholic chaplains will make a
+favorable impression upon our less enlightened oppressors."
+
+"It seems strange that you should throw in your lot with a people who
+prove so intolerant."
+
+"Father Farmer, our pastor, says that no influence must ever be used
+except for the national cause, for we must be quickened by the hope of
+better days. He pleads with his people to remain faithful and promises
+the undivided sympathy of his fellow priests with their kinsmen in the
+struggle. For these reasons I hardly think that many Catholics will
+desert our cause."
+
+"Yet you must know that it was England that bestowed the most liberal
+grants to the inhabitants of the Northwest territory."
+
+"You mean the Quebec Act?" she asked.
+
+"Yes. And you know that Canada would be allied with you, heart and soul,
+were it not for the intolerant spirit of your fellow colonists."
+
+"Perhaps it would."
+
+"Now, would it not be better----"
+
+"Do you mean to suggest to me that we turn traitor?" she interrupted,
+turning full upon him, her eyes flashing with intense feeling.
+
+"No ... pardon ... I meant no offense.... The fact is I was only
+remarking on the sad plight of our co-religionists."
+
+"I fail to perceive how ill we fare. Our compatriots render us honor,
+and as Father Farmer says, 'we may cherish the hope of better days,
+which are inevitable.' You must know that one of the signers of the
+Declaration of Independence is a Catholic; and that the army and navy
+boast of a considerable quota."
+
+"We are not ungenerous of our service, it seems."
+
+"Rather are we proud of our efforts. We are proud of the fact that there
+has been found among us not one false to his country. We point with
+pride to him who was privileged to first read the Declaration of
+Independence to the public. We are proud of the composition of
+Washington's 'Life Guard'; and we are proud of our mutual friend, whom,
+perhaps, you know," and she glanced at him with a merry twinkle,
+"Captain Meagher, Washington's aide-de-camp."
+
+And so they talked. Marjorie became completely absorbed in her subject,
+once her religion became the topic, and she almost forgot her game in
+regard to her visitor. She desired to appear to the best advantage,
+however, for which purpose she talked freely, in the hope of extracting
+from him some information concerning himself and his intents. Still,
+however, there was another extreme which, though apparently less
+dangerous, she must be careful to avoid. The imaginations of men are in
+a great measure under the control of their feelings and it was
+absolutely necessary for her to refrain from imparting too much
+information lest it might deflect from its purpose the very object she
+was seeking to obtain.
+
+There was a subtle influence about him, an adroitness of speech, a
+precision of movement which, unless sufficiently safeguarded against,
+was insidious. He had the most wonderful way of getting one's
+confidence, not only by reason of his genial and affable disposition,
+but also by his apparent and deliberate sincerity. And while it was true
+that she had determined upon a method which was originally intended to
+redound to her own advantage, she soon learned that she was playing with
+a boomerang which soon put her upon the defensive against the very
+strategy which she had herself directly planned.
+
+He was not sincere in his protestations of admiration; that she
+perceived immediately. But she was resolved to let him think that she
+believed him in order that she might discover his true intents and
+purposes. Her knowledge of human nature was sufficient to enable her to
+conclude that one cannot unite the incompatible elements of truth and
+deception, the discernment of reality and the enjoyment of fiction for
+any great length of time. The reality is bound to appear.
+
+For this reason she was not disposed to dismiss him at once but rather
+to allow him to call and see her frequently, if need be, until she had
+been thoroughly satisfied as to his true character. Nevertheless she
+sensed, at this very moment, that she was playing with a skillful
+adversary, one thoroughly versed in the game of diplomacy, against whom
+she would be called upon to employ every manner of weapon at her
+command. She realized the weight of the foe, and thought she understood
+his tactics. So she accepted the challenge.
+
+"You are interested in Captain Meagher?" he asked serenely.
+
+There was a pause. Marjorie looked slightly perturbed.
+
+"Well," she confessed, "there is this much about him. I chanced to know
+the details of the offense with which he has been charged and I am
+naturally interested to learn the result of his trial."
+
+"He may be found guilty," he quietly announced.
+
+"Why do you say that?"
+
+"The evidence was wholly against him."
+
+"And there was no testimony to the effect that Colonel Forrest was
+somewhat intoxicated, or that he spoke disparaging words against the
+Captain's co-religionists, or that he attacked the character of the
+Commander-in-chief?"
+
+"There was to some extent, but it did not seem to make any impression."
+
+"I presume that you know the reason."
+
+Her eyes gleamed a little.
+
+"Why?"
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"The verdict has not been given. I shall be pleased to inform you of it
+at the earliest opportunity."
+
+"Thank you. I shall be delighted. But let's not talk about it any more,"
+she added. "Let's leave it."
+
+Mr. Anderson smiled.
+
+
+II
+
+It was perhaps an hour after dawn that Stephen awoke for about the third
+or fourth time that night; for the conflict still surged within him and
+would give him no peace. And, as he lay there, awake in an instant,
+staring into the brightness of the morn, once more weighing the
+mysterious disclosures of the evening, swayed by the desire for action
+at one moment, overcome with sadness at the next, the thought of the
+impending verdict of his trial occurred at him and made him rise very
+hurriedly.
+
+He was an early arrival at Headquarters. There had been several matters
+disposed of during the preceding day and the verdicts would be announced
+together. The room where the court was being held was already stirring
+with commotion; his judge-advocate was there, as was Colonel Forrest,
+Mr. Anderson, several members of the General's staff, and Mr. Allison,
+who had sought entry to learn the decision. Suddenly a dull solemn
+silence settled over all as the members of the court filed slowly into
+the room.
+
+They took their places with their usual dignity, and began to dispose of
+the several cases in their turn. When that of Captain Meagher was
+reached Stephen was ordered to appear before the court to hear his
+sentence.
+
+He took his place before them with perfect calmness. He observed that
+not one of them ventured to meet his eye as he awaited their utterance.
+
+They found that he was not justified in making the attack upon a
+superior officer, notwithstanding the alleged cause for provocation, and
+that he was imprudent in his action, yet because of his good character,
+as testified to by his superior officers, because of the mitigating
+circumstances which had been brought to light by the testimony of the
+witnesses during the course of the trial and because the act had been
+committed without malice or criminal intent, he was found not guilty of
+any violation of the Articles of War, but imprudent in his action, for
+which cause he had been sentenced to receive a reprimand from the
+Military Governor.
+
+Stephen spoke not a word to any one as he made his way back to his seat.
+Why could they not have given him a clear verdict? Either he was guilty
+or he was not guilty. He could not be misled by the sugary phrases in
+which the vote of censure had been couched. The court had been against
+him from the start.
+
+At any rate, he thought, the reprimand would be only a matter of form.
+Its execution lay wholly with him who was to administer it. The court
+could not, by law, indicate its severity, nor its lenity, nor indeed add
+anything in regard to its execution, save to direct that it should be
+administered by the commander who convened the court. And while it was
+undoubtedly the general intention of the court-martial to impose a mild
+punishment, yet the quality of the reprimand was left entirely to the
+discretion of the authority commissioned to utter it.
+
+When Stephen appeared before the Military Governor at the termination of
+the business of the day, he was seized with a great fury, one of those
+angers which, for a while, poison the air without obscuring the mind.
+There was an unkind look on the face of the Governor, which he did not
+like and which indicated to him that all would not be pleasant. He bowed
+his head in answer to his name.
+
+"Captain Meagher," the Governor began. "You have been found guilty by
+the Regimental Court-Martial of an action which was highly imprudent.
+You have been led perhaps by an infatuate zeal in behalf of those, whom
+you term your co-religionists, to the committal of an offense upon the
+person of your superior officer. It is because of this fact that I find
+it my sad duty to reprimand you severely for your misguided ardor and to
+admonish you, together with the other members of your sect, of whom an
+unfair representation is already found in the halls of our Congress and
+in the ranks of our forces, lest similar outbreaks occur again. Did you
+but know that this eye only lately saw the members of that same Congress
+at Mass for the soul of a Roman Catholic in purgatory, and participating
+in the rites of a Church against whose anti-Christian corruptions your
+pious ancestors would have witnessed with their blood? The army must not
+witness similar outbreaks of religious zeal in the future."
+
+He finished. Stephen left the room without a word, turned on his heel
+and made his way down the street.
+
+
+III
+
+Nature is a great restorer when she pours into the gaping wounds of the
+jaded system the oil and wine of repose. Divine grace administers the
+same narcotic to the soul crushed by torture and anguish. It is then
+that tears are dried, and that afflictions and crosses become sweet.
+
+Desolation, a very lonely desolation, and a deep sense of helplessness
+filled the soul of Stephen as he retraced his steps from the court room.
+His life seemed a great burden to him, his hopes swallowed up in his
+bereavement. If he could but remove his mind from his travail of
+disappointments and bitterness, if his soul could only soar aloft in
+prayer to the realms of bliss and repose, he might endure this bitter
+humiliation. He felt the great need of prayer, humble, submissive
+prayer. Oh! If he could only pray!
+
+He was invisibly directed into the little doorway of St. Joseph's. His
+feeling was like that of the storm tossed mariner as he securely steers
+for the beacon light. The church was nearly empty, save for a bare
+half-dozen people who occupied seats at various intervals. They were
+alone in their contemplation, as Catholics are wont to be, before their
+God, without beads or prayer-book, intent only upon the Divine Person
+concealed within the tabernacle walls, and announced by the flickering
+red flame in the little lamp before the altar. Here he felt himself
+removed from the world and its affairs, as if enclosed in a strange
+parenthesis, set off from all other considerations. And straightway, his
+soul was carried off into a calm, pure, lofty region of consolation and
+repose.
+
+To the human soul, prayer is like the beams of light which seem to
+connect sun and earth. It raises the soul aloft and transports it to
+another and a better world. There basking in the light of the divine
+presence it is strengthened to meet the impending conflict. Nothing
+escapes the all-seeing eye of God. He only waits for the prayer of his
+children eager to grant their requests. Nothing is denied to faith and
+love. Neither can measure be set to the divine bounty.
+
+"Miserere mei, Deus; secundum magnam misericordiam tuam."--"Have mercy
+on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy."
+
+Stephen buried his face in his hands, in an agony of conflict.
+
+The tone of the Military Governor's reprimand had left no room for
+speculation as to his true intents and purposes. Whatever rebuke had
+been administered to him was intended for the Catholic population,
+otherwise there was no earthly reason for holding up to reprobation the
+conduct of the body governing the republic. The mere fact that the
+Governor despised the Congress was an unworthy as well as an
+insufficient motive for the base attack.
+
+The humiliated soldier felt incapable of bearing the insult without
+murmuring, yet he chose to accept it with perfect resignation and
+submission. For a time he had fought against it. But in the church he
+felt seized by an invisible force. On a sudden this invisible tension
+seemed to dissolve like a gray mist, hovering over a lake, and began to
+give place to a solemn and tender sweetness.
+
+"Miserere mei Deus."
+
+He sought refuge in the arms of God, crying aloud to Him for His mercy.
+He would give his soul up to prayer and commit his troubled spirit into
+the hands of his intercessors before the throne of Heaven.
+
+"Accept my punishments for the soul who is about to be released."
+
+To the souls in Purgatory, then, he poured forth the bitterness of his
+heart, offering in their behalf through the intercession of the Virgin
+Mary, the cross which had been imposed upon him. The injustice of his
+trial which he knew, or thought he knew, had been tempered by the spirit
+of intolerance, was brought home to him now in full vigor by the
+severity of his reprimand. He did not deserve it, no--he could not force
+himself to believe that he did. Still he accepted it generously though
+painfully, in behalf of the sufferings of his friends.
+
+He besought them to pray for him, that he might the more worthily endure
+his cross. He prayed for his tormentors that they might be not held
+culpable for their error. He entrusted himself entirely into the hands
+of his departed ones and renewed with a greater fervor his act of
+consecration.
+
+"I beseech Thee, O my God, to accept and confirm this offering for Thy
+honor and the salvation of my soul. Amen."
+
+He arose from his pew, made a genuflection before the Blessed
+Sacrament, pronouncing as he did, "My Lord and My God," crossed himself
+with the holy water, and left the church.
+
+
+IV
+
+In the meantime an event of rare importance had occurred in the garden
+of the Shippen home. There, in the recesses of the tulips sheltered
+behind the clustering hydrangeas, Peggy accepted the fervent suit of the
+Military Governor and gave him her promise to become his bride. A few
+days later the world was informed of the betrothal and nodded its head
+in astonishment, and opening its lips, sought relief in many words.
+
+
+The wheels of destiny began to turn.
+
+
+
+
+PART TWO
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+I
+
+It was a hot October day.
+
+A torrid wave generated somewhere in the far west, and aided by the
+prevailing trade winds had swept relentlessly across the country,
+reaching the city at a most unusual time. It had not come unheralded,
+however, for the sun of yesterday had gone down a blazing red,
+illuminating the sky like rays from a mighty furnace, and tinging the
+evening landscape with the reddish and purplish hues of an Indian
+summer. And what a blanket of humidity accompanied it! Like a cloak it
+settled down upon the land, making breathing laborious and driving every
+living creature out of doors.
+
+Jim Cadwalader and his wife sat on the lawn, if the patch of brown grass
+to the side of their little house could be termed a lawn, and awaited
+the close of the day. Three huge elms, motionless in the still sunshine
+and, like all motionless things, adding to the stillness, afforded a
+canopy against the burning rays of the sun. What mattered it that the
+cool shaded air was infested with mosquitoes and house-flies or that the
+coarse grass was uneven and unkempt, from the low mounds which ran all
+over it or, from the profusion of leaves which had here and there
+fluttered down from the great trees. For it must be confessed that
+neither Jim nor his wife had found the time for the proper care of the
+premises, or if perchance, they had found the time the inclination
+itself had been wanting.
+
+"Sumthins got t' turn up in sum way 'r other b'fore long. I ain't seen
+the sight o' work here in nigh two year."
+
+"Guess you won't see it fur a while," responded the wife, from her
+straight-backed chair, her arms folded, her body erect.
+
+"Like as not a man 'd starve t' death in these here times, with nuthin'
+t' do."
+
+Jim sat with his elbows resting upon his yellow buckskin breeches, his
+rough stubby fingers interlocked, his small fiery eyes piercing the
+distance beyond the fields.
+
+"If this business o' war was through with, things 'd git right agin."
+
+"But it ain't goin' t' be over, let me tell you that."
+
+They became silent.
+
+Sad as was their plight, it was no sadder than the plight of many of
+their class. The horrors of a protracted war had visited with equal
+severity the dwelling places of the rich and the poor. It was not a
+question of the provision of the sinews of war; tax had been enacted of
+all classes alike. But it did seem as if the angel of poverty had
+tarried the longer at the doorposts of the less opulent and had, in
+proportion to their indigence, inflicted the greater suffering and
+privation. Figuratively speaking, this was the state of affairs with
+Jim's house.
+
+Everything that could stimulate, and everything that could gratify the
+propensities of a middle-aged couple, the blessings of health, the daily
+round of occupation, the joys of life and the hopes of at length
+obtaining possession of a little home, all these and the contentment of
+living, had at once been swept away from Jim Cadwalader and his wife by
+the calamities of war. They had lived as many had lived who have no
+different excuse to plead for their penury. The wages of their day's
+labor had been their sole means of support, and when this source of
+income had vanished, nothing was left. In the low and dingy rooms which
+they called their home there were no articles of adornment and many
+necessary for use were wanting. Sand sprinkled on the floor did duty as
+a carpet. There was no glass upon their table; no china on the cupboard;
+no prints on the wall. Matches were a treasure and coal was never seen.
+Over a fire of broken boxes and barrels, lighted with sparks from the
+flint, was cooked a rude meal to be served in pewter dishes. Fresh meat
+was rarely tasted--at most but once a week, and then paid for at a
+higher price than their scanty means could justly allow.
+
+"The way things 're goin' a pair o' boots 'll soon cost a man 'most six
+hundr' dollars. I heard a man say who 's good at figurin' out these
+things, that it now takes forty dollar bills t' make a dollar o' coin.
+We can't stand that much longer."
+
+"Unless a great blow is struck soon," observed Nancy.
+
+"But it won't be struck. Washington's watchin' Clinton from Morristown.
+The Americans are now on the offensive an' Clinton 's busy holdin' New
+York. The French 're here an' who knows but they may do somethin'. 'Twas
+too bad they missed Howe's army when it left here."
+
+"Were they here?"
+
+"They were at the capes when the chase was over. Lord Howe's ships had
+gone."
+
+Again there was silence.
+
+"I guess Washington can't do much without an army. He has only a handful
+an' I heard that the volunteers won't stay. Three thousan' o' them left
+t' other day. Can't win a war that way. If they'd only listen to Barry
+they'd have a navy now, an' if they want to catch Clinton in New York
+they'll need a navy."
+
+"Is the Captain home?"
+
+"I saw him t' other day. He is goin' t' Boston t' command the _Raleigh_,
+a thirty-two gunner. But one's no good. He needs a fleet."
+
+"Thank God! The French have come. Peace is here now."
+
+"It's money we need more'n soldiers. We can git an army right here if we
+could only pay 'em. No one 'll fight fur nuthin'. They're starvin' as
+much as us."
+
+The fact that the hopes of this American couple had suffered a partial
+collapse, must be attributed rather to the internal state of affairs
+than to the military situation. While it is true that no great military
+objective had been gained as a result of the three years of fighting,
+yet the odds at the present moment were decidedly on the American side.
+Still the country was without anything fit to be called a general
+government. The Articles of Confederation, which were intended to
+establish a league of friendship between the thirteen states, had not
+yet been adopted. The Continental Congress, continuing to decline in
+reputation and capacity, provoked a feeling of utter weariness and
+intense depression. The energies and resources of the people were
+without organization.
+
+Resources they had. There was also a vigorous and an animated spirit of
+patriotism, but there were no means of concentrating and utilizing
+these assets. It was the general administrative paralysis rather than
+any real poverty that tried the souls of the colonists. They heartily
+approved of the war; Washington now held a higher place in their hearts
+than he had ever held before; peace seemed a certainty the longer the
+war endured. But they were weary of the struggle and handicapped by the
+internal condition of affairs.
+
+Jim and his wife typified the members of the poorer class, the class
+upon whom the war had descended with all its horror and cruelty and
+desolation. Whatever scanty possessions they had, cows, corn, wheat or
+flour, had been seized by the foraging parties of the opposing forces,
+while their horse and wagon had been impressed into the service of the
+British, at the time of the evacuation of the city, to cart away the
+stores and provisions. A means of occupation had been denied Jim during
+the period of stagnation and what mere existence could now be eked out
+depended solely in the tillage of the land upon which he dwelled.
+Nevertheless the Cadwaladers maintained their outward cheer and apparent
+optimism throughout it all but still they yearned inwardly for the day
+when strife would be no more.
+
+"I can't see as t' how we're goin' to git off eny better when this here
+whole thin's over. We're fightin' fur independence, but the peopul don't
+want to change their guver'ment; Washington 'll be king when this is
+over."
+
+Jim was ruminating aloud, stripping with his thumb nail the bark from a
+small branch which he had picked from the ground.
+
+"'Twas the Quebec Act th' done it. It was supposed to reëstablish Popery
+in Canada, and did by right. But th' Americans, and mostly those in New
+England who are the worst kind of Dissenters and Whigs got skeered
+because they thought the Church o' England or the Church o' Rome 'd be
+the next thing established in the Colonies. That's what brought on the
+war."
+
+"We all don't believe that. Some do; but I don't."
+
+"You don't?" he asked, without lifting his eyes to look at her. "Well
+you kin. Wasn't the first thing they did up in New England to rush t'
+Canada t' capture the country or else t' form an alliance with it? And
+didn't our own Arnold try t' git revenge on it fur not sidin' in with
+him by plunderin' th' homes of th' peopul up there and sendin' the goods
+back to Ticonderoga?"
+
+She made no reply, but continued to peer into the distance.
+
+"And didn't our Congress send a petition to King George t' have 'm
+repeal the limits o' Quebec and to the peopul t' tell 'm the English
+Guver'ment 'is not authorized to establish a religion fraught with
+sanguary 'r impius tenets'? I know 'cause I read it."
+
+"It makes no diff'rence now. It's over."
+
+"Well it shows the kind o' peopul here. They're so afreed o' the Pope."
+
+She waved her hand in a manner of greeting.
+
+"Who's that?" asked Jim.
+
+"Marjorie."
+
+He turned sideways looking over his shoulder.
+
+Then he stood up.
+
+
+II
+
+That there was more than a grain of truth in the assertion of Jim
+Cadwalader that the war for Independence had, like the great rivers of
+the country, many sources, cannot be gainsaid. There were oppressive tax
+laws as well as restrictions on popular rights. There were odious
+navigation acts together with a host of iniquitous, tyrannical measures
+which were destined to arouse the ire of any people however loyal. But
+there were religious prejudices which were likewise a moving cause of
+the revolt, a moving force upon the minds of the people at large. And
+these were utilized and systematized most effectively by the active
+malcontents and leaders of the strife.
+
+The vast majority of the population of the Colonies were Dissenters,
+subjects of the crown who disagreed with it in matters of religious
+belief and who had emigrated thither to secure a haven where they might
+worship their God according to the dictates of their own conscience
+rather than at the dictates of a body politic. The Puritans had sought
+refuge in Massachusetts and Connecticut where the white spires of their
+meeting houses, projecting above the angles of the New England hills,
+became indicative of Congregationalism. Roger Williams and the Baptists
+found a harbor in Rhode Island. William Penn brought the Quaker colony
+to Pennsylvania. Captain Thomas Webb lent active measures to the
+establishment of Methodism in New York and in Maryland, while the colony
+of Virginia afforded protection to the adherents of the Established
+Church. The country was in the main Protestant, save for the vestiges of
+Catholicity left by the Franciscan and Jesuit Missionary Fathers, who
+penetrated the boundless wastes in an heroic endeavor to plant the seeds
+of their faith in the rich and fertile soil of the new and unexplored
+continent.
+
+Consequently with the passage of the Quebec Act in 1774 a wave of
+indignation and passionate apprehension swept the country from the
+American Patriots of Boston to the English settlements on the west. That
+large and influential members of the Protestant religion were being
+assailed and threatened with oppression and that the fear of Popery,
+recently reëstablished in Canada, became an incentive for armed
+resistance, proved to be motives of great concern. They even reminded
+King George of these calamities and emphatically declared themselves
+Protestants, faithful to the principles of 1688, faithful to the ideals
+of the "Glorious Revolution" against James II, faithful to the House of
+Hanover, then seated on the throne.
+
+"Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic Church?"
+asked John Adams of Thomas Jefferson. This simple question embodied in
+concrete form the apprehensions of the country at large, whose
+inhabitants had now become firmly convinced that King George, in
+granting the Quebec Bill, had become a traitor, had broken his
+coronation oath, was a Papist at heart, and was scheming to submit this
+country to the unconstitutional power of the English monarch. It was not
+so much a contest between peoples as a conflict of principles, political
+and religious, the latter of which contributed the active force that
+brought on the revolt and gave it power.
+
+
+III
+
+Strange to relate, there came a decided reversal of position after the
+formation of the French Alliance. No longer was the Catholic religion
+simply tolerated; it was openly professed, and, owing in a great measure
+to the unwearied labors of the Dominican and Franciscan friars, made the
+utmost progress among all ranks of people. The fault of the Catholic
+population was anything but disloyalty, it was found, and their manner
+of life, their absolute sincerity in their religious convictions, their
+generous and altruistic interest in matters of concern to the public
+good, proved irrefutable arguments against the calumnies and
+vilifications of earlier days. The Constitutions adopted by the several
+states and the laws passed to regulate the new governments show that the
+principles of religious freedom and equality had made progress during
+the war and were to be incorporated as vital factors in the shaping of
+the destinies of the new nation.
+
+The supreme importance of the French Alliance at this juncture cannot be
+overestimated. Coming, as it did, at a time when the depression of the
+people had reached the lowest ebb, when the remnant of the army of the
+Americans was enduring the severities of the winter season at Valley
+Forge, when the enemy was in possession of the fairest part of the
+country together with the two most important cities, when Congress could
+not pay its bills, nor meet the national debt which alone exceeded forty
+million dollars,--when the medium of exchange would not circulate
+because of its worthlessness, when private debts could not be collected
+and when credit was generally prostrated, the Alliance proved a benefit
+of incalculable value to the struggling nation, not only in the
+enormous resources which it supplied to the army but in the general
+morale of the people which it made buoyant.
+
+The capture of Burgoyne and the announcement that Lord North was about
+to bring in conciliatory measures furnished convincing proof to France
+that the American Alliance was worth having. A treaty was drawn up by
+virtue of which the Americans solemnly agreed, in consideration of armed
+support to be furnished by France, never to entertain proposals of peace
+with Great Britain until their independence should be acknowledged, and
+never to conclude a treaty of peace except with the concurrence of their
+new ally.
+
+Large sums of money were at once furnished the American Congress. A
+strong force of trained soldiers was sent to act under Washington's
+command. A powerful fleet was soon to set sail for American waters and
+the French forces at home were directed to cripple the military power of
+England and to lock up and neutralize much British energy which would
+otherwise be directed against the Americans. Small wonder that a new era
+began to dawn for the Colonists!
+
+When we remember the anti-Catholic spirit of the first years of the
+Revolution and consider the freedom of action which came to the
+Catholics as a consequence of the French Alliance, another and a
+striking phase of its influence is revealed. The Catholic priests
+hitherto seen in the colonies had been barely tolerated in the limited
+districts where they labored. Now came Catholic chaplains of foreign
+embassies; army and navy chaplains celebrating mass with pomp on the
+men-of-war and in the camps and cities. The French chaplains were
+brought in contact with all classes of the people in all parts of the
+country and the masses said in the French lines were attended by many
+who had never before witnessed a Catholic ceremony. Even Rhode Island,
+with a French fleet in her waters, blotted from her statute-book a law
+against Catholics.
+
+
+IV
+
+"What have we here, Marjorie?" asked Jim as he walked part of the way to
+meet her.
+
+"Just a few ribs of pork. I thought that you might like them."
+
+She gave Jim the basket and walked over to Mrs. Cadwalader and kissed
+her.
+
+"Heaven bless you, Marjorie," exclaimed Nancy as she took hold of the
+girl's hands and held them.
+
+"Oh, thank you! But it is nothing, I assure you."
+
+"You kin bet it is," announced Jim as he removed from the basket a long
+side of pork. "Look 't that, Nancy." And he held it up for her
+observation.
+
+Marjorie had been accustomed to render some relief to Jim and his wife
+since the time when reverses had first visited them. Her good nature, as
+well as her consideration of the long friendship which had existed
+between the two families, had prompted her to this service. Jim would
+never be in want through any fault of hers, yet she was discreet enough
+never to proffer any avowed financial assistance. The mode she employed
+was that of an occasional visit in which she never failed to bring some
+choice morsel for the table.
+
+"How's the dad?" asked Jim.
+
+"Extremely well, thank you. He has been talking all day on the failure
+of the French to take Newport."
+
+"What's that?" asked Jim, thoroughly excited. "Has there been news in
+town?"
+
+"Haven't you heard? The fleet made an attack."
+
+"Where? What about it?"
+
+"They tried to enter New York to destroy the British, but it was found,
+I think, that they were too large for the harbor. So they sailed to
+Newport to attack the garrison there."
+
+"Yeh?"
+
+"General Sullivan operated on the land, and the French troops were about
+to disembark to assist him. But then Lord Howe arrived with his fleet
+and Count d'Estaing straightway put out to sea to engage him."
+
+"And thrashed 'm----"
+
+"No," replied Marjorie. "A great storm came up and each had to save
+himself. From the reports Father gave, General Sullivan has been left
+alone on the island and may be fortunate if he is enabled to withdraw in
+safety."
+
+"What ails that Count!" exclaimed Jim thoroughly aroused. "I don't think
+he's much good."
+
+"Now don't git excited," interrupted Nancy. "That's you all th' time.
+Just wait a bit."
+
+"Just when we want 'im he leaves us. That's no good."
+
+"Any more news, girl?"
+
+"No. Everything is quiet except for the news we received about the
+regiment of Catholic volunteers that is being recruited in New York."
+
+"In New York? Clinton is there."
+
+"I know it. This is a British regiment."
+
+"I see. Tryin' t' imitate 'The Congress' Own?"
+
+"So it seems."
+
+"And do they think they will git many Cath'lics, or that there 're
+enough o' them here?"
+
+"I do not know," answered Marjorie. "But some handbills have appeared
+in the city which came from New York."
+
+"And they want the Cath'lics? What pay are they goin' t' give?"
+
+"Four pounds."
+
+"That's a lot o' money nowadays."
+
+"That is all I know about it. I can't think what success they will have.
+We are sure of some loyalists, however."
+
+"I guess I'll hev to git down town t' see what's goin' on. Things were
+quiet fur so long that I stayed pretty well t' home here. What does yur
+father think?"
+
+"He is angry, of course. But he has said little."
+
+"I never saw anything like it. What'll come next?"
+
+He folded his arms and crossed his knee.
+
+An hour later she stood at the gate taking her leave of Jim and Nancy at
+the termination of a short but pleasant visit.
+
+"Keep a stout heart," she was saying to Jim, "for better days are
+coming."
+
+"I know 't, girl. Washington won't fail."
+
+"He is coming here shortly."
+
+"To Philadelphia?" asked Nancy.
+
+"Yes. So he instructed Captain Meagher."
+
+"I hope he removes Arnold."
+
+"Hardly. He is a sincere friend to him. He wishes to see Congress."
+
+"Has he been summon'd?"
+
+"No! Captain Meagher intimated to me that a letter had been sent to His
+Excellency from the former chaplain of Congress, the Rev. Mr. Duche,
+complaining that the most respectable characters had withdrawn and were
+being succeeded by a great majority of illiberal and violent men. He
+cited the fact that Maryland had sent the Catholic Charles Carroll of
+Carrollton instead of the Protestant Tilghman."
+
+"Who is this Duche?"
+
+"I do not know. But he has since fled to the British. He warmly
+counseled the abandonment of Independence."
+
+"If that's his style, he's no good. Will we see the Gin'ral?"
+
+"Perhaps. Then again he may come and go secretly."
+
+"God help the man," breathed Nancy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+I
+
+"Simply a written statement. A public utterance from you denouncing the
+Catholics would prove of incalculable value to us."
+
+John Anderson had been for an hour or more in the company of the
+Military Governor. Seemingly great progress had been made in the
+recruiting of the regiment, much of which had, of necessity, been
+effected in a secret manner, for now the city was under the domination
+of the Continental forces. Anderson had made the most of his time and
+was in a fair way to report progress for the past month.
+
+"Don't be a fool, Anderson. You know that it would be the height of
+folly for me to make any such statement. I can do no more than I am
+doing. How many have you?"
+
+"Nearly an hundred."
+
+"There are several miserable Papists in Congress. If they could be
+prevailed upon to resign, it would create a considerable impression upon
+the minds of the people."
+
+"I did see Carroll."
+
+"How did he receive you?"
+
+"He replied to me that he had entered zealously into the Revolution to
+obtain religious as well as civil liberty, and he hoped that God would
+grant that this religious liberty would be preserved in these states to
+the end of time."
+
+"Confound him! We cannot reach him, I suppose."
+
+"So it appears. He is intensely patriotic."
+
+"You have an hundred, you say? All common folk, I venture. We should
+have several influential men."
+
+"But they cannot be reached. I know well the need of a person of
+influence, which thought urged me to ask such a statement from you."
+
+He looked at him savagely.
+
+"Do you think I'm a fool?"
+
+"'The fool knows more in his own house than a wise man does in
+another's.' I merely suggest, that is all."
+
+"My answer is,--absolutely, No!"
+
+There was silence.
+
+"I know that Roman Catholic influence is beginning to reveal itself in
+the army. Washington is well disposed toward them and they are good
+soldiers. Time was when they were less conspicuous; but nowadays every
+fool legislature is throwing public offices open to them and soon France
+will exercise the same control over these states as she now wields
+across the seas."
+
+"Would you be in league with France?" asked Anderson with a wavering
+tremor in his voice.
+
+"God knows how I detest it! But I have sworn to defend the cause of my
+country and I call this shattered limb to witness how well I have spent
+myself in her behalf. I once entertained the hope that our efforts would
+be crowned with success, nevertheless I must confess that the more
+protracted grows the struggle, the more the conviction is forced upon me
+that our cause is mistaken, if not entirely wrong, and destined to
+perish miserably. Still, I shall not countenance open rebellion. I could
+not."
+
+"You will continue to advise me. I am little acquainted with the city,
+you know, and it would be difficult for me to avoid dangerous risks."
+
+Arnold thought for a minute, his features overcast by a scowl which
+closed his eyes to the merest chinks.
+
+"I shall do no more than I have already done. I cannot permit myself to
+be entangled. There is too much at stake."
+
+He was playing a dangerous game, inspirited by no genuine love for
+country but by feelings of wounded pride. He was urged on, not through
+any fears of personal safety but through misguided intimidations of a
+foreign alliance; not because of any genuine desire to aid or abet the
+cause of the enemy but to cast suspicion upon a certain unit within his
+own ranks. To be deprived of active duty in the field was to his warm
+and impulsive nature an ignominious calamity. To learn subsequently of
+the appointment of Gates to the second in command, the one general whom
+he despised and hated, was more than his irritable temperament could
+stand. The American cause now appeared hopeless to him, nevertheless he
+entertained no thought of deserting it. He had performed his duty in its
+behalf, as his wounded limb often reminded him, and it was only fitting
+that he, who alone had destroyed a whole army of the enemy, should be
+rewarded with due consideration. Congress had ever been unfriendly to
+him and he had resented their action, or their failure to take proper
+action, most bitterly. Throughout it all his personal feelings had
+guided to a large extent his faculty of judgment, and for that reason he
+viewed with mistrust and suspicion every intent and purpose, however
+noble or exalted.
+
+He had been violently opposed to the alliance with France from the
+start. It was notorious that he abhorred Catholics and all things
+Catholic. To take sides with a Catholic and despotic power which had
+been a deadly foe to the colonists ten or twenty years before, during
+the days of the French and Indian wars, was to his mind a measure at
+once unpatriotic and indiscreet. In this also, he had been actuated by
+his personal feelings more than by the study of the times. For he
+loathed Popery and the thousand and one machinations and atrocities
+which he was accustomed to link with the name.
+
+The idea of forming a regiment of Catholic soldiers interested him not
+in the numerical strength which might be afforded the enemy but in the
+defection which would be caused to the American side. His scheme lay in
+the hope that the Catholic members of Congress would be tempted to
+resign. In that event he would obtain evident satisfaction not alone in
+the weakness to which the governing body would be exposed but also in
+the ill repute to which American Catholics and their protestations of
+loyalty would fall.
+
+Arnold deep down in his own heart knew that his motives were not
+unmixed. He could not accuse himself of being outrageously mercenary,
+yet he was ashamed to be forced to acknowledge even to himself that the
+desire of gain was present to his mind. His debts were enormous. He
+entertained in a manner and after a style far in excess of his modest
+allowance. His dinners were the most sumptuous in the town; his stable
+the finest; his dress the richest. And no wonder that his play, his
+table, his balls, his concerts, his banquets had soon exhausted his
+fortune. Congress owed him money, his speculations proved unfortunate,
+his privateering ventures met with disaster. With debts accumulating and
+creditors giving him no peace he turned to the gap which he saw opening
+before him. This was an opportunity not to be despised.
+
+"About that little matter--how soon might I be favored?" the Governor
+asked, rising from his chair and limping with his cane across the room.
+
+"You refer to the matter of reimbursements?" Anderson asked
+nonchalantly.
+
+"I do."
+
+He gazed from the window with his back turned to his visitor.
+
+"I shall draw an order for you at once."
+
+"You shall do nothing of the kind."
+
+He looked fiercely at him.
+
+"You are playing a clever game, are you not? But you have to cope now
+with a clever adversary."
+
+He walked deliberately before him, and continued:
+
+"Anderson," he said, "I want to tell you I know who you are and for what
+purpose you have been sent here. I know too by whom you have been sent.
+I knew it before you were here twenty-four hours and I want to tell you
+now before we continue that we may as well understand each other in a
+thorough manner. If you desire my assistance you must pay me well for
+it. And it must be in legal tender."
+
+"Of course--but--but--the truth is that I am in no way prepared to make
+any offer now. I can communicate with you in a few days, or a week."
+
+"Don't come here. You must not be seen here again. Send it to me or
+better still meet me."
+
+"Can you trust the Shippens?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+"Why not there?"
+
+"You mean to confer with me there?"
+
+"If it is safe, as you say, where would be more suitable?"
+
+"True. But I must have some money as soon as possible. The nation is
+bankrupt and my pay is long overdue. I cannot, however, persuade the
+creditors any longer. I must have money."
+
+"You shall have it. At Shippen's then."
+
+He rose and walked directly to the door.
+
+"Next week."
+
+He shut the door after him and hurried along the corridor. As he turned
+he came face to face with a countenance entirely familiar to him but
+momentarily lost to his consciousness by its sudden and unexpected
+appearance. In a second, however, he had recovered himself.
+
+"Captain! I am pleased indeed."
+
+He put out his hand.
+
+Stephen thought for a moment. Then he grasped it.
+
+"Mr. Anderson. What good fortune is this?"
+
+"Complimentary. Simply paying my respects for kindness rendered."
+
+"Have a care lest your zeal overwhelm you."
+
+Anderson colored at the allusion.
+
+"Thank you. I shall exercise all moderation."
+
+Stephen watched him as he moved away, deliberating hurriedly on the
+advisability of starting after him. Whatever his mission or his purpose,
+he would not learn in this house certainly, nor from him nor from Arnold
+for that matter. If he was intent on securing information concerning
+this man he must do it in a surreptitious manner. There was no other
+method of dealing with him, he thought, and in view of such
+circumstances he deemed it perfectly legitimate to follow him at a safe
+distance.
+
+The more he thought over it the more readily did he resolve to take
+action to the end that he might see more of him. Whatever mischief was
+afoot, and he had no more than a mere suspicion that there was mischief
+afoot, must reveal itself sooner or later. His object in all probability
+had already been accomplished, nevertheless his errand, if he was
+engaged on an errand, might be disclosed. He would follow him if for no
+other purpose than to learn of his destination.
+
+Second Street was now astir with a lively procession. There, every day
+when business was over, when the bank was closed, when the exchange was
+deserted, crowds of seekers came to enjoy the air and to display their
+rich garments. There might be found the gentlemen of fashion and of
+means, with their great three-cornered cocked hats, resting majestically
+upon their profusely powdered hair done up in cues, their light colored
+coats, with their diminutive capes and long backs, their striped
+stockings, pointed shoes, and lead-laden cuffs, paying homage to the
+fair ladies of the town. These, too, were gorgeous in their brocades and
+taffetas, luxuriantly displayed over cumbrous hoops, tower-built hats,
+adorned with tall feathers, high wooden heels and fine satin petticoats.
+It was an imposing picture to behold these gayly dressed damsels gravely
+return the salutations of their gallant admirers and courtesy almost to
+the ground before them.
+
+Stephen searched deliberately for his man throughout the length of the
+crowded thoroughfare, standing the while on the topmost step of the
+Governor's Mansion--that great old-fashioned structure resembling in
+many details a fortification, with its two wings like bastions extending
+to the rear, its spacious yard enclosed with a high wall and ornamented
+with two great rows of lofty pine trees. It was the most stately house
+within the confines of the city and, with Christ Church, helped to make
+Second Street one of the aristocratic thoroughfares of the town.
+
+It was with difficulty that Stephen discerned Anderson walking briskly
+in the direction of Market Street. He set off immediately, taking care
+to keep at a safe distance behind him. He met several acquaintances, to
+whom he doffed his hat and returned their afternoon greeting, while he
+pursued his quest with lively interest and attention. Market Street was
+reached, and here he was obliged to pause near a shop window lest he
+might overtake Anderson, who had halted to exchange pleasantries with a
+young and attractive couple. On they went again deliberately and
+persistently until at length it began to dawn upon Stephen that they
+were headed for the Germantown road, and for Allison's house.
+
+What strange relation was arising between Marjorie and that man?
+Anderson was paying marked attention to her, he began to muse to
+himself, too much attention perhaps, for one whose whole existence was
+clouded with a veil of mystery. Undoubtedly he was meeting with some
+encouragement, if not reciprocation (perish the thought!), for he was
+persistent in his attention. Yet this man was not without charm. There
+was something fascinating about him which even Stephen must confess was
+compelling. What if she had been captivated by him, by his engaging
+personal qualities, by his prepossessing appearance, by his habit of
+gentle speech, by his dignity and his ease of manner! His irritation was
+justifiable.
+
+There was little doubt now as to Anderson's destination. Plainly he was
+bent on one purpose. The more he walked, the more evident this became.
+Stephen would be assured, however, and pursued his way until he had seen
+with his own eyes his man turn into Allison's house. And not until then
+did he halt. Turning deliberately he began to retrace his steps.
+
+
+II
+
+"This looks like the kind of book. Has it the 'Largo'?"
+
+Anderson sat on the music-stool before the clavichord turning over the
+pages of a volume that rested on the rack.
+
+"Perhaps. I scarce think I know what it is. I have never heard it."
+
+Marjorie was nearby. She had been musing over the keys, letting her
+fingers wander where they would, when he had called. He would not
+disturb her for all the world, nevertheless he did yield to her
+entreaties to take her place on the stool.
+
+"You have never heard Handel? The 'Largo' or the greatest of all
+oratorios, his 'Messiah'?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+He did not reply to this. Instead he broke into the opening chords, the
+sweetly solemn, majestic harmony of the 'Largo'. He played it entirely
+from memory, very slowly, very softly at first, until the measured
+notes, swelling into volume, filled the room in a loud arpeggio.
+
+"That is beautiful," she exclaimed with enthusiasm, "I should have said
+'exquisite'. May I learn it?"
+
+"Surely there must be a copy in the city. I shall consider it a favor to
+procure one for you."
+
+"I should be delighted, I am sure."
+
+He played it again. She regarded him from above. It was astonishing to
+note the perfect ease and grace with which he performed. The erect
+carriage, the fine cut of the head, the delicately carved features
+became the objects of her attention in their inverse order, and the
+richly endowed talents, with which he was so signally accomplished,
+furnished objects of special consideration to her reflective soul. He
+was exceedingly fascinating and a dangerous object to pit against the
+heart of any woman. Still Marjorie was shrewd enough to peer beneath his
+superficial qualities, allowing herself to become absorbed in a
+penetrating study of the man, his character, his peculiarities;--so
+absorbed, in fact, that the door behind her opened and closed without
+attracting her attention.
+
+"I must obtain that copy," she announced as she turned towards her
+chair.
+
+"Why, Father!" she exclaimed. "When did you come? Mr. Anderson, Father.
+You already know him."
+
+"Well met, my boy. You are somewhat of a musician. I was listening."
+
+"Just enough for my own amusement," laughed the younger man. "I know a
+few notes."
+
+"Be not quick to believe him, Father. He plays beautifully."
+
+Mr. Allison sat down.
+
+"Accomplishments are useful ornaments. Nowadays a man succeeds best who
+can best impress. People want to see one's gifts."
+
+"The greatest of talents often lie buried. Prosperity thrives on
+pretense."
+
+"True. I'm beginning to think that way myself, the way things 're
+going."
+
+"With the war?" he asked.
+
+"With everything. I think Congress will fail to realize its boasts, and
+Arnold is a huge pretender, and----"
+
+"He has lost favor with the people."
+
+"Lost it? He never had it from the day he arrived. People do not like
+that sort of thing."
+
+Anderson watched him intently and Marjorie watched Anderson.
+
+"He may resign for a command in the army. I have heard it said that he
+dislikes his office."
+
+"Would to God he did! Or else go over to the other side."
+
+Anderson's head turned--the least little fraction--so that Marjorie
+could see the flash light up his eyes.
+
+"He could not desert the cause now without becoming a traitor."
+
+A pause followed.
+
+"Men of lofty patriotism often disagree in the manner of political
+action. We have many Loyalists among us."
+
+"Yet they are not patriots."
+
+"No! They are not, viewed from our standpoint. But every colony has a
+different motive in the war. Now that some have obtained their rights,
+they are satisfied with the situation. I don't know but that we would be
+as well off if the present state of affairs were allowed to stand."
+
+"What do the Catholics of the Colonies think?"
+
+This was a bold question, yet he ventured to ask it.
+
+"We would fare as well with England as with some of our own," answered
+Marjorie decisively.
+
+Anderson looked at her for a minute.
+
+"Never!" replied Mr. Allison with emphasis.
+
+"See how Canada fared," insisted Marjorie.
+
+"Tush!"
+
+Anderson listened attentively. Here was a division of opinion within the
+same family; the father intensely loyal, the daughter somewhat inclined
+to analysis. A new light was thrown upon her from this very instant
+which afforded him a very evident satisfaction, a very definite and
+conscious enjoyment as well. To have discovered this mind of apparent
+candor and unaffected breadth was of supreme import to him at this
+critical moment. And he felt assured that he had met with a character of
+more than ordinary self-determination which might, if tuned properly,
+display a capacity for prodigious possibilities, for in human nature he
+well knew the chord of self-interest to be ever responsive to adequate
+and opportune appeal.
+
+Marjorie might unconsciously prove advantageous to him. It was essential
+for the maturing of his plans to obtain Catholic coöperation. She was a
+devout adherent and had been, insofar as he had been able to discover,
+an ardent Whig. True, he had but few occasions to study her,
+nevertheless today had furnished him with an inkling which gave her
+greater breadth in his eyes than he was before conscious of. The remark
+just made might indicate that she favored foreign rule in the interest
+of religious toleration, yet such a declaration was by no means
+decisive. Still he would labor to this end in the hope that she might
+ultimately see her way clear to coöperate with him in his designs.
+
+"We are losing vast numbers through the Alliance," volunteered Anderson.
+
+"I suppose so," admitted Mr. Allison. "Many of the colonists cannot
+endure the thought of begging assistance from a great Roman Catholic
+power. They fear, perhaps, that France will use the opportunity to
+inflict on us the worst form of colonialism and destroy the Protestant
+religion."
+
+"But it isn't the Protestants who are deserting," persisted Anderson.
+"The Catholics are not unmindful of the hostile spirit displayed by the
+colonists in the early days. They, too, are casting different lots."
+
+"Not we. Every one of us is a Whig. Some have faltered, but we do not
+want them."
+
+"And yet the reports from New York seem to indicate that the recruiting
+there is meeting with success."
+
+"The Catholic regiment? I'll wager that it never will exist except on
+paper. There are no Tories, no falterers, no final deserters among the
+American Catholics."
+
+"What efforts are being made in Philadelphia?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"None--that I know of," was the grave reply. "I did hear, however, that
+an opportunity would be given those who are desirous of enlisting in New
+York."
+
+Marjorie sat and watched him.
+
+"I heard Father Farmer was invited to become its chaplain," observed Mr.
+Allison.
+
+"Did he?"
+
+"He did not. He told me himself that he wrote a kind letter with a stern
+refusal."
+
+And so they talked; talked into the best part of an hour, now of the
+city's activities, now of the Governor, now of the success of the
+campaign, until Anderson felt that he had long overstayed his leave.
+
+"I am sorry to leave your company." Then to Marjorie, "At Shippen's
+tomorrow?"
+
+"Yes. Will you come for me? If you won't I daresay I shall meet you
+there."
+
+"Of course I shall come. Please await me."
+
+
+III
+
+That there was a state of pure sensation and of gay existence for
+Marjorie in the presence of this man, she knew very well; and while she
+felt that she did not care for him, nevertheless she was conscious of a
+certain subtle influence about him which she was powerless to define. It
+has been said that not all who know their mind know their own heart; for
+the heart often perceives and reasons in a manner wholly peculiar to
+itself. Marjorie was aware of this and the utmost effort was required of
+her to respond solely to the less alluring promptings of her firm will.
+
+She would allow him to see her again that she might learn more about him
+and his strange origin. Stephen had suggested to her the merest
+suspicion concerning him. There was the possibility that the germ of
+this suspicion might develop,--and in her very presence. The contingency
+was certainly equal to the adventure.
+
+It was not required that she pay a formal call on Peggy. Already had
+that been done, immediately after the announcement of the engagement,
+when she had come to offer congratulations to the prospective bride upon
+her enviable and happy fortune. The note, which again had come into her
+possession upon Stephen's return of it, whose contents were still
+unknown to her, she had restored to Peggy, together with a full
+explanation of its loss and its subsequent discovery. One phase of its
+history, however, she had purposely overlooked. It might have proved
+embarrassing for her to relate how it chanced to fall into the hands of
+Stephen. And inasmuch as he had made no comment upon its return, she was
+satisfied that the incident was unworthy of the mention.
+
+Anderson called promptly on the hour and found her waiting. They left
+the house at once and by mutual agreement walked the entire distance.
+This was preferable, for there was no apparent haste to reach their
+destination, and for the present no greater desire throbbed within them
+than the company of their own selves. For they talked continually of
+themselves and for that reason could never weary of each other's
+company.
+
+The country about them was superb. The fields stood straight in green
+and gold on every side of the silvery road. Beside them as they passed,
+great trees reared themselves aloft from the greensward, which divided
+the road from the footpath, and rustled in the breeze, allowing the
+afternoon sunshine to reveal itself in patches and glimpses; and the air
+between was a sea of subdued light, resonant with the liquid notes of
+the robin and the whistle of the quail, intruders upon the uniform
+tranquillity of the hot Sunday afternoon.
+
+"Does it not strike you that there are but few persons with whom it is
+possible to converse seriously?"
+
+"Seriously?" asked Marjorie. "What do you call seriously?"
+
+"In an intelligent manner, together with perfect ease and attention."
+
+"I suppose that this is true on account of the great want of sincerity
+among men."
+
+"That, as well as the impatient desire we possess of intruding our own
+thoughts upon our hearer with little or no desire of listening to those
+which he himself may want to express."
+
+"We are sincere with no one but ourselves, don't you think? The mere
+fact of the entrance of a second person means that we must try to
+impress him. You have said that prosperity thrives on pretense."
+
+"And I repeat it. But with friends all guile and dissimulation ceases.
+We often praise the merits of our neighbor in the hope that he in turn
+will praise us. Only a few have the humility and the whole-hearted
+simplicity to listen well and to answer well. Sincerity to my mind is
+often a snare to gain the confidence of others."
+
+There was depth to his reasoning, Marjorie thought, which was
+riddle-like as well. It was amazing to her how well he could talk on any
+given topic, naturally, easily, seriously, as the case might be. He
+never seemed to assume the mastery of any conversation, nor to talk with
+an air of authority on any subject, for he was alive to all topics and
+entered into them with the same apparent cleverness and animated
+interest.
+
+He stopped suddenly and exerted a gentle though firm pressure on her
+arm, obliging her to halt her steps. Surprised, she turned and looked at
+him.
+
+"What is it?" she asked.
+
+There was no response. Instead, she looked in the direction of his gaze.
+Then she saw.
+
+A large black snake lay in graceful curves across their path several
+rods ahead. Its head was somewhat elevated and rigid. Before it
+fluttered a small chickadee in a sort of strange, though powerless
+fascination, its wings partly open in a trembling manner, its chirp
+noisy and incessant, its movement rapid and nervous, as it partly
+advanced, partly retreated before its enchanter. Nearer and nearer it
+came, with a great scurrying of the feet and wings, towards the
+motionless head of the serpent. Until Anderson, picking a stone from the
+roadside, threw a well-aimed shot which bounded over the head of the
+snake, causing it to turn immediately and crawl into the recesses of the
+deep underbrush of the adjoining field. The bird, freed from the source
+of its sinister charm, flew out of sight into safety.
+
+"Thank God!" Marjorie breathed. "I was greatly frightened."
+
+"Nothing would have saved that bird," was the reply. "It already was
+powerless."
+
+Marjorie did not answer to this, but became very quiet and pensive. They
+walked on in silence.
+
+Nearing the home of Peggy, they beheld General Arnold seated before them
+on the spacious veranda in the company of his betrothed. Here was
+intrusion with a vengeance, Marjorie thought, but the beaming face and
+the welcoming expression soon dispelled her fears.
+
+"Miss Shippen," Anderson said, as he advanced immediately toward her to
+seize her hand, "allow me to offer my tender though tardy
+congratulations. It was with the greatest joy that I listened to the
+happy announcement."
+
+"You are most kind, Mr. Anderson, and I thank you for it," was the soft
+response.
+
+"And you, General," said Marjorie. "Let me congratulate you upon your
+excellent choice."
+
+"Rather upon my good fortune," the Governor replied with a generous
+smile.
+
+Peggy blushed at the compliment.
+
+"How long before we may be enabled to offer similar greetings to you?"
+he asked of Mr. Anderson, who was assisting Marjorie into a chair by the
+side of Peggy.
+
+"Oh! Love rules his own kingdom and I am an alien."
+
+He drew himself near to the Governor and the conversation turned
+naturally and generally to the delicious evening. The very atmosphere
+thrilled with romance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+I
+
+Stephen was sitting in his room, his feet crossed on a foot-rest before
+him, his eyes gazing into the side street that opened full before his
+window. He had been reading a number of dispatches and letters piled in
+a small heap in his lap; but little by little had laid them down again
+to allow his mind to run into reflection and study. And so he sat and
+smoked.
+
+
+It seemed incredible that events of prime importance were transpiring in
+the city and that the crisis was so soon upon him. For nearly three
+months he had been accumulating, methodically and deliberately, a chain
+of incriminating evidence around the Military Governor and John
+Anderson, still he was utterly unaware of its amazing scope and
+magnitude. Perfidy was at work all around him and he was powerless to
+interfere; for the intrigue had yet to reach that point where conviction
+could be assured. Nevertheless, he continued to advance step by step
+with the events, and sensed keenly the while, the tension which was
+beginning to exist but which he could not very well point out.
+
+He had kept himself fully informed of the progress of affairs in New
+York, where the recruiting was being accomplished in an undisguised
+manner. The real facts, however, were being adroitly concealed from the
+bulk of the populace. Information of a surprising nature had been
+forwarded to him from time to time in the form of dispatches and
+letters, all of which now lay before him, while a certain Sergeant
+Griffin had already been detailed by him to carry out the more hazardous
+work of espionage in the city of the enemy. The latter was in a fair way
+to report now on the progress of the work and had returned to
+Philadelphia for this very purpose.
+
+Irish Catholics had been found in the British Army at New York, but they
+had been impressed into the service. Sergeant Griffin had spoken to many
+deserters who avowed that they had been brought to the colonies against
+their own will, declaring that they had been "compelled to go on board
+the transports where they were chained down to the ring-bolts and fed
+with bread and water; several of whom suffered this torture before they
+could be made to yield and sign the papers of enlistment." In
+confirmation of this declaration, he had in his lap a letter written to
+General Washington by Arthur Lee, June 15, 1777, which read: "Every man
+of a regiment raised in Ireland last year had to be shipped off tied and
+bound, and most certainly they will desert more than any troops
+whatsoever." To corroborate this claim he had obtained several
+clippings, advertisements that had appeared in the New York newspapers,
+offering rewards for the apprehension of Irish soldiers who had deserted
+to the rebels.
+
+The same methods he learned were now being employed in the recruiting of
+the Catholic regiment. Blackmail had been resorted to with splendid
+results. In several instances enormous debts had been liquidated in
+favor of the recruits. Even commissions in the army of His Majesty had
+been offered as a bounty. There was success, if the few hundred faces in
+the ranks could be reckoned as a fair catch, yet the methods of
+recruiting did not begin to justify the fewness of the numbers.
+
+Just how this idea had taken root, he was at a loss to discover.
+Certainly not from the disloyalty manifested by the Catholic population
+during the war. The exploits of the famous "Congress' Own" Regiments
+might, he thought, have contributed much to the enemy's scheme. It was
+commonly known that two regiments of Catholics from Canada, raised in
+that northern province during the winter of 1775-76, had done valiant
+service against the British. A great number of the Canadian population
+had welcomed the patriots under Generals Schuyler, Montgomery and Arnold
+upon their attempted invasion of the country, and had given much
+assistance towards the success of their operations. Inasmuch as many had
+sought enlistment in the ranks as volunteers, an opportunity was
+furnished them by an act of Congress on January 20, 1776, authorizing
+the formation of two Canadian regiments of soldiers to be known as
+"Congress' Own." The First was organized by Colonel James Livingston;
+the Second by Colonel Moses Hazen. Both of these regiments continued in
+active service for the duration of the war, and both obtained a vote of
+thanks from the American Congress upon its termination.
+
+Herein, then, must lay the germ of the project of the British Regiment
+of Roman Catholic Volunteers.
+
+He sat and considered.
+
+"You tell me, then," he said quietly, "that this is the state of affairs
+in New York."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the soldier.
+
+There was a further silence.
+
+
+II
+
+The progress of the work in the city of Philadelphia had been less
+evident to him. Certain it was that Anderson was directing his undivided
+attention to the furtherance of the plan, for which task he had been
+admirably endowed by Nature. That Arnold, too, was greatly interested in
+the success of the plot, he already suspected, but in this he had no
+more than a suspicion, for he could not discover the least incriminating
+objective evidence against him. There were several whose names had been
+associated with the work; yet these, too, had revealed nothing, when
+confronted with a direct question. And whatever influence he might have
+had, whatever lurking suspicions he might have accumulated from the
+contributory details, these when simmered down amounted to little or
+nothing. The plan had not progressed to the extent required. There was
+nothing to do but to await further developments.
+
+This man Anderson was ingenuous. The most striking characteristic about
+him, that towards which and in support of which every energy and every
+talent had been schooled and bent, was an intrepid courage. A vast and
+complicated scheme of ambition possessed his whole soul, yet his
+disposition and address generally appeared soft and humane, especially
+when no political object was at stake.
+
+During the four or five months spent in the city, he had made a host of
+friends among all classes of people. His agreeable manner and his
+fluency of speech at once gained for him the confidence even of the most
+phlegmatic. No man was endowed with more engaging qualities for the
+work, if it may be assumed that he was engaged solely in the recruiting
+of a Tory Regiment from among the supporters of the Whigs. Everything
+seemed to declare that he was associated with the work. And because he
+was associated with it, it progressed.
+
+The names of several who had yielded allegiance to the opposite side
+were in the hands of Stephen. The Major of the new regiment was a
+Catholic, John Lynch. So were Lieutenant Eck, Lieutenant Kane, and
+Quartermaster Nowland. These were at present in New York, whither they
+had journeyed soon after the British occupation of the city. Of the
+hundred-odd volunteers, who were supposed to constitute the company,
+little could be learned because of the veil of secrecy which had from
+the very beginning enshrouded the whole movement.
+
+Pressure had been brought to bear on several, it was discovered, with
+the result that there was no alternative left them but to sign the
+papers of enlistment. In this Anderson had been materially aided by the
+Military Governor's intimate knowledge of the fortunes and prospects of
+the bulk of the citizenry. To imply this, however, was one thing; to
+prove it quite another. For whatever strength the accusation might bear
+in his own mind, he could not forget that it was still a mere suspicion,
+which must be endorsed by investigation if the people were to be
+convinced. And Stephen was unprepared to offer the results of his
+investigation to a populace which was too indolent and hasty to
+investigate them as facts and to discriminate nicely between the shades
+of guilt. Anderson was loved and admired by his countrymen and more
+especially by his countrywomen. Everything, it seemed, would be forgiven
+his youth, rank and genius.
+
+Even Marjorie had been captivated by him, it appeared. The relationship
+which was beginning to thrive between them he disliked, and some day he
+would make that known to her. How attentive he had been to her was
+easily recognizable, but to what degree she returned this attention was
+another matter. What she thought of this stranger and to what extent he
+had impressed her, he longed to know, for it was weeks since he had laid
+eyes on her; and the last two attempts made by him to see her had found
+her in the company of Anderson, once at Shippen's, and again on a ride
+through the country. True, he himself had been absent from town for a
+brief time, immediately after his court-martial, when he returned to
+headquarters to file a report with his Commander-in-chief, and the few
+moments spent with her upon his return was the last visit. Undoubtedly
+he was a stranger to her now; she was absorbed with the other man.
+
+Still Stephen wished that he might see her. An insatiable longing filled
+his whole soul, like the eternal cravings of the heart for communion
+with the Infinite. There was certain situations where a man or woman
+must confide in some person to obtain advice or sympathy, or simply to
+unload the soul, and there was no one more becoming to Stephen than this
+girl. She understood him and could alleviate by her sole presence, not
+through any gift properly made, but by that which radiated from her
+alone, the great weight which threatened to overwhelm his whole being.
+Simply to converse with her might constitute the prophecy of a benign
+existence.
+
+He determined to see her that very evening.
+
+
+III
+
+"Marjorie," said Stephen, "of course you've a perfect right to do
+exactly as you like. But, you know, you did ask my opinion; didn't you?"
+
+"I did," said Marjorie, frowning. "But I disagree with you. And I think
+you do him a grave injustice."
+
+
+She had been seated in a large comfortable chair in the middle of the
+side yard when he entered. A ball of black yarn which, with the aid of
+two great needles, she was industriously engaged in converting into an
+article of wearing apparel, lay by her side. Indeed, so engrossed was
+she, that he had opened and closed the gate before her attention was
+aroused. She rose immediately, laying her knitting upon the chair, and
+advanced to meet him.
+
+"I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?"
+
+He looked at her.
+
+"Rather let me ask that question," was his query by way of reply.
+"Already twice have I failed to find you."
+
+They walked together to the chairs; she to her own, he to a smaller one
+that stood over against them.
+
+"That you called once, I know. Mother informed me."
+
+"You were similarly engaged on both occasions."
+
+He brought his chair near to her.
+
+"With Mr. Anderson?"
+
+She smiled straight in his face.
+
+"Of course."
+
+He, too, smiled.
+
+"Well!" then after a pause, "do you object?"
+
+He did not answer. His fingers drummed nervously on the arm of his
+chair and he looked far up the road.
+
+"You do not like him?" she asked quickly.
+
+"It would be impossible for me to now tell you. As a matter of fact, I
+myself have been unable to form a definite opinion. I may let you know
+later. Not now."
+
+A deep sigh escaped her.
+
+"I should imagine you could read a man at first sight," she exclaimed.
+
+"I never allowed myself that presumption. Men are best discovered at
+intervals. They are most natural when off their guard. Habit may
+restrain vice, and passion obscures virtue. I prefer to let them alone."
+
+She bit her lip, as her manner was, and continued to observe him. How
+serious he was! The buoyant, tender, blithesome disposition which
+characterized his former self, had yielded to a temper of saturnine
+complexion, a mien of grave and thoughtful composure. He was analytic
+and she began to feel herself a simple compound in the hands of an
+expert chemist.
+
+"I am sorry to have caused you a disappointment."
+
+"Please, let me assure you there is no need of an apology."
+
+"And you were not disappointed?"
+
+A smile began to play about the corners of her small mouth. She tried to
+be humorous.
+
+"Perhaps. But not to the extent of requiring an apology."
+
+"You might have joined us."
+
+"You know better than that."
+
+"I mean it. Peggy would have been pleased to have you."
+
+"Did she say so?"
+
+"No. But I know that she would."
+
+"Alas!" He raised his arm in a slight gesture.
+
+She was knitting now, talking as she did. She paused to raise her eyes.
+
+"I think you dislike Peggy," she said with evident emphasis.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"I scarce know. My instinct, I suppose."
+
+"I distrust her, if that is what you mean?"
+
+"Have you had reason?"
+
+"I cannot answer you now, for which I am very sorry. You will find my
+reasoning correct at some future time, I hope."
+
+"Do you approve of my friendship with her?"
+
+She did not raise her eyes this time, but allowed them to remain fixed
+upon the needles.
+
+"It is not mine to decide. You are mistress of your own destinies."
+
+Her face grew a shade paler, and the look in her eyes deepened.
+
+"I simply asked your advice, that was all."
+
+The words hit so hard that he drew his breath. He realized that he had
+been brusque and through his soul there poured a kind of anger first,
+then wounded pride, then a sense of crushing pain.
+
+"I regret having said that," he tried to explain to her. "But I cannot
+tell you what is in my mind. Since you do ask me, I fear Peggy greatly,
+but I would not say that your friendship with her should cease. Not at
+present, anyhow."
+
+"Well, did you approve of my going there with Mr. Anderson?"
+
+"With him? No."
+
+"Can you tell me the reason?"
+
+And then he explained briefly to her of his reasons for disliking this
+man and of the veil of suspicion and of mystery with which he was
+surrounded. He did not think him a suitable companion for her, and
+wished for her own good that she would see no more of him.
+
+There was no reply to his observations. On the contrary Marjorie lapsed
+into a meditative silence which seemed to grow deeper and deeper as the
+moments passed. Stephen watched her until the suspense became almost
+beyond endurance, wondering what thoughts were coursing through her
+mind.
+
+At length he broke the silence with the words recorded at the beginning
+of the chapter; and Marjorie answered him quietly and deliberately.
+
+She continued with her knitting.
+
+
+IV
+
+A great melancholy fell upon him, if it were indeed possible for him to
+become more dispirited, against which he was powerless to contend. There
+was revealed to him on the instant a seeming predilection on the part of
+Marjorie for this man, Anderson. The longer they conversed, the deeper
+did that conviction grow. This made him careless and petulant. Now a
+feeling of deep regret stole over him because he had been so
+unsympathetic. In presence of her feeling of grief and disappointment,
+his pity was aroused.
+
+"I deeply regret the pain I have caused you," he said to her quietly and
+kindly. "It was altogether rude of me."
+
+She bit her lip violently, tremulously, in an effort to restrain the
+flood of emotion which surged within, which threatened to burst forth
+with the pronunciation of the merest syllable.
+
+She did not reply, but fumbled with the knitted portion of her garment,
+running its edges through her fingers.
+
+"I had no intention of speaking of him as I did," he went on. "I would
+not, did you not ask me."
+
+"I am not offended."
+
+"Your composure reveals to me that you have been hurt."
+
+"I did not mean that you should know it."
+
+"Very likely. But you could not disguise the fact. I shall give you the
+assurance, however, that the subject shall not be a topic for discussion
+by us again. He must not be mentioned."
+
+"Please! I--I----"
+
+"It was solely for yourself that I was concerned. Believe me when I say
+this. Insofar as I myself am concerned, I am wholly disinterested. I
+thought you desired to know and I told you as much as it was possible
+for me to tell. You must ask me no more."
+
+"He has not revealed this side of his character to me and I have been in
+his company on several occasions. Always has he been kind, gentlemanly,
+sincere, upright."
+
+Her eyes were centered full upon him, those large brown eyes that seemed
+to contain her whole being. Whether she was gay or sad, jocose or sober,
+enthusiastic or despondent, the nature of her feelings could be
+communicated solely by her eyes. She need not speak; they spoke for her.
+
+"You are right in believing every man virtuous until he has proved
+himself otherwise," he replied. "There should be one weight and one
+measure. But I regulate my intercourse with men by the opposite
+standard. I distrust every man until he has proved himself worthy, and
+it was that principle which guided me, undoubtedly, in my application of
+it to you."
+
+"Do you consider that upright?"
+
+"Do not misunderstand me. I do not form a rash judgment of every person
+I meet. As a matter of fact I arrive at no judgment at all. I defer
+judgment until after the investigation, and I beware of him until this
+investigation has been completed."
+
+"You are then obliged to live in a world of suspicion."
+
+"No. Rather in a world of security. How often has the knave paraded
+under the banner of innocence! The greatest thieves wear golden chains."
+
+"I could not live after such manner."
+
+She became impatient.
+
+"Were you thrown into daily relation with the world you would soon learn
+the art of discrimination. The trusty sentinel lives a life of
+suspicion."
+
+At length a truce was silently proclaimed. Composure reigned. The
+unpleasant episode had to all appearances been obliterated from their
+minds. There was even a touch of that old humor dancing in her eyes.
+
+"Some one has said," she observed, "that 'suspicion is the poison of
+friendship.'"
+
+"And a Latin proverb runs, 'Be on such terms with your friend as if you
+knew he may one day become your enemy.' Friendship, I realize, is
+precious and gained only after long days of probation. The tough fibers
+of the heart constitute its essence, not the soft texture of favors and
+dreams. We do not possess the friends we imagine, for the world is
+self-centered."
+
+"Have you no friends?"
+
+Now she smiled for the second time, but it was only a smile of humor
+about the corners of her mouth.
+
+"Only those before whom I may be sincere."
+
+He was serious, inclined to analysis, one might say.
+
+"Can you expect to find sincerity in others without yourself being
+sincere?"
+
+"No. But my friend possesses my other soul. I think aloud before him. It
+does not matter. I reveal my heart to him, share my joys, unburden my
+grief. There is a simplicity and a wholesomeness about it all. We are
+mutually sincere."
+
+"Your test is severe."
+
+"But its fruits imperishable."
+
+"I cannot adopt your method," was the deliberate reply as she began to
+gather together her ball and needles.
+
+"Let's leave it at that."
+
+And they left it.
+
+
+V
+
+Long after he had gone she sat there until it was well into the evening,
+until the stars began to blink and nod and wrap themselves in the great
+cloak of the night, as they kept a silent vigil over the subdued silence
+which had settled down upon the vast earth and herself.
+
+The longer she sat and considered, the more melancholy did she become.
+Stephen was displeased with her conduct and made no effort to conceal
+it, inflicting only the greater wound by his ambiguous and incisive
+remarks. His apparent unconcern and indifference of manner frightened
+her, and she saw, or she thought she saw a sudden deprivation of that
+esteem with which she was vain enough to presuppose he was wont to
+regard her. And yet he was mistaken, greatly mistaken. Furthermore, he
+was unfair to himself and unjust to her in the misinterpretation of her
+behavior. His displeasure pained her beyond endurance.
+
+In her relations with John Anderson, she had been genuinely sincere both
+with herself and with Stephen. The latter had asked her to help him; and
+this she was trying to do in her own way. That there was something
+suspicious about Anderson, she knew; but whether the cause lay in his
+manner of action or in the possession of documentary evidence, she could
+not so much as conjecture. What more apt method could be employed than
+to associate with him in the hope that at some time or other important
+information might be imparted to her? She did not intend to play the
+part of the spy; still if that was the rôle in which she hoped to find
+Anderson, she was ready to assume a similar rôle for the very purpose of
+outwitting him and defeating him on his own ground. If Stephen would
+only trust her. Oh, dear! And she wrung her hands in abject despair.
+
+Little by little her experiences of the summer just past came before her
+with a vividness which her experience with Stephen served only to
+intensify. First, there was the night of the Governor's Ball. He had
+come into her life there, filling a vacancy not realized before.
+Hitherto, she had been quite content in the company of almost any one,
+and especially with those of the sterner sex. But with the advent of
+this dashing young officer she began to experience a set of new
+sensations. The incompleteness of her life was brought before her.
+
+He seemed to perfect her being, sharing her pleasures, lessening her
+woes, consoling her heart. Still, there was one office that he had
+failed to perform; he was not obsequious. Not that he was ever wanting
+in attention and deferential courtesy, or that he ever failed to betray
+a warmth of feeling or a generous devotion; but his manner was prosaic,
+thoroughly practical both in action and in expression. He spoke his
+thoughts directly and forcibly. He was never enthusiastic, never
+demonstrative, never warm or impulsive, but definite, well-ordered,
+positive. It was quite true that he was capable of bestowing service to
+the point of heroism when the occasion required, but such a quality was
+not spontaneous, because his heart, while intensely sympathetic,
+appeared cold and absolutely opposed to any sort of outburst. He was too
+prudent, too wise, too thoughtful, it seemed, acting only when sure of
+his ground, turning aside from all obstacles liable to irritate or
+confuse him.
+
+Then John Anderson came and initiated her into a newer world. He
+appeared to worship her, and tried to make her feel his devotion in his
+every act. He was gallant, dignified, charming, lavishing attention upon
+her to the point of prodigality. He said things which were pleasant to
+hear, and equally as pleasant to remember. What girl would not be
+attracted by such engaging personal qualities; but Marjorie decided that
+he was too much of the Prince Charming whose gentle arts proved to be
+his sole weapons for the major encounters of life.
+
+Hence she was not fascinated by his soft accomplishments. He interested
+her, but she readily perceived that there was not in him that real
+depth which she had found in Stephen. True, he made her feel more like a
+superior being than as a mere equal; he yielded ever to her slightest
+whim, and did not discomfort her with weighty arguments. But her acumen
+was such that she was enabled to penetrate the gloss and appraise the
+man at his true value. The years spent at her mother's knee, the
+numberless hours in her father's shop where she came in contact with
+many men, her own temperament, prudent by nature, enabled her to
+perceive at a glance the contrast between a man of great and noble heart
+clothed in severe garments, and the charlatan garbed in the bright
+finery of festal dress.
+
+And now the boomerang against which she was defending herself struck her
+from a most unexpected angle. That Stephen should misunderstand her
+motives was preposterous; yet there was no other inference to be drawn
+from the tone of his conversation during the few distressful minutes of
+his last visit. In all probability, he had gone away laboring under the
+hateful impression that she was untrue, that she had permitted her heart
+to be taken captive by the first knight errant who had entered the
+lists. And what was more, the subject would never again be alluded to.
+He had promised that; and she knew that he was absolute in his
+determinations. His groundless displeasure disconcerted her greatly.
+
+Whether it became her to take the initiative in the healing of the
+breach which she felt growing wide between them, or simply to await the
+development of the course of action she had chosen to pursue, now became
+a problem to her perplexed mind. So much depended upon the view he would
+take of the whole situation that it was necessary for him to understand
+from the very beginning. She would write him. But, no! That might be
+premature. She would wait and tell him, so great was her assurance that
+all would be well. She would tell him of her great and impassionate
+desire to be of assistance to him; she would put into words her analysis
+of this man's character, this man about whom he himself had first cast
+the veil of suspicion; she would relate her experience with him. She
+smiled to herself as she contemplated how pleased he would be once the
+frown of bewilderment had disappeared from his countenance.
+
+"Marjorie! Dost know the hour is late?"
+
+"Yes, Mother! I am coming directly."
+
+It was late, though she scarce knew it. Gathering her things, she
+brought the chairs into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+I
+
+Week after week sped by, summer ripened into fall, and fall faded into
+winter. All was monotony: the bleak winter season, the shorter days, the
+longer evenings, the city settling down into a period of seclusion and
+social inaction. There would be little of gayety this year. No foreign
+visitors would be entertained by the townsfolk. There would be no
+Mischienza to look forward to. It would be a lonely winter for the
+fashionable element, with no solemn functions, with no weekly dancing
+assemblies, with no amateur theatricals to rehearse. Indeed were it not
+for the approaching marriage of Peggy Shippen to the Military Governor,
+Philadelphia would languish for want of zest and excitement.
+
+The wedding took place at the home of the bride on Fourth Street. The
+élite of the city, for the most part Tories, were in attendance. Mrs.
+Anne Willing Morris, Mrs. Bingham--all the leaders were there. So were
+Marjorie, John Anderson, Stephen, the Chews and Miss Franks from New
+York. The reception was brilliant, eclipsing anything of its kind in the
+history of the social life of the city, for Mrs. Shippen had vowed that
+the affair would establish her definitely and for all time the leader of
+the fashionable set of the town.
+
+The center of attraction was of course Peggy; and she carried herself
+well, enduring the trying ordeal with grace and composure. And if one
+were to judge by the number and the quality of the gifts which loaded
+down one whole room, or by the throng which filled the house to
+overflowing, or by the motley crowd which surged without, impatient for
+one last look at the bride as she stepped into the splendid coach, a
+more popular couple was never united in matrimony. It was a great day
+for all concerned, and none was more happy nor more radiant than Peggy
+as she sat back in the coach and looked into the face of her husband and
+sighed with that contentment and complacency which one experiences in
+the possession of a priceless gem.
+
+Their homecoming, after the brief honeymoon, was delightful. No longer
+would they live in the great slate roof house on Second Street at the
+corner of Norris Alley, but in the more elegant old country seat in
+Fairmount, on the Schuylkill,--Mount Pleasant. Since Arnold had
+purchased this great estate and settled it immediately upon his bride,
+subject of course to the mortgage, its furnishings and its appointments
+were of her own choice and taste.
+
+It rose majestically before them on a bluff overlooking the river, a
+courtly pile of colonial Georgian architecture whose balustraded and
+hipped roof seemed to rear itself above the neighboring woodland, so as
+to command a magnificent broad view of the Schuylkill River and valley
+for miles around.
+
+"There! See, General! Isn't it heavenly?"
+
+She could not conceal her joy. Arnold looked and smiled graciously with
+evident satisfaction at the quiet homelike aspect of the place.
+
+Peggy was on the stone landing almost as soon as she emerged from the
+coach,--eager to peep inside, anxious to sit at last in her own home.
+Although she had already seen all that there was to see, and had spent
+many days previous to the marriage in arranging and planning the
+interior so as to have all in readiness for their return on this day,
+still she seemed to manifest a newer and a livelier joy, so pleasant and
+so perfect did all appeal.
+
+"Oh, General! Isn't this just delicious?" And she threw her arms around
+his neck to give him a generous hug.
+
+"Are you happy now?" he questioned.
+
+"Perfectly. Come let us sit and enjoy it."
+
+She went to the big chair and began to rock energetically; but only for
+a minute, for she spied in the corner of the room the great sofa, and
+with a sudden movement threw herself on that. She was like a small boy
+with a host of toys about him, anxious to play with all at the same
+time, and trying to give to each the same undivided attention. The
+massive candelabra on the table attracted her, so she turned her
+attention to that, fixing one of its candles as she neared it. Finally,
+a small water color of her father, which hung on the wall a little to
+one side, appealed to her as needing adjustment. She paused to regard
+the profile as she straightened it.
+
+The General observed her from the large chair into which he had flung
+himself to rest after the journey, following her with his eyes as she
+flitted about the great drawing-room. For the moment there was no object
+in that space to determine the angle of his vision, save Peggy, no other
+objective reality to convey any trace of an image to his imagination but
+that of his wife. She was the center, the sum-total of all his thoughts,
+the vivid and appreciable good that regulated his emotions, that
+controlled his impulses. And the confident assurance that she was
+happy, reflected from her very countenance, emphasized by her every
+gesture as she hurried here and there about the room in joyous
+contemplation of the divers objects that delighted her fancy, reanimated
+him with a rapture of ecstasy which he thought for the moment impossible
+to corporeal beings. The mere pleasure of beholding her supremely happy
+was for him a source of whole-souled bliss, illimitable and ineffable.
+
+"Would you care to dine now?" she asked of him as she approached his
+chair and leaned for support on its arms. "I'll ask Cynthia to make
+ready."
+
+"Yes, if you will. That last stage of the trip was exhausting."
+
+And so these two with all the world in their possession, in each other's
+company, partook of their first meal together in their own dining-room,
+in their own private home.
+
+
+II
+
+"'Thou hast it now,--king, Cawdor, Glamis, all----'" remarked Arnold to
+his wife as they made their way from the dining-room into the spacious
+hallway that ran through the house.
+
+"Yet it was not foully played," replied Peggy. "The tourney was fair."
+
+"I had thought of losing you."
+
+"Did you but read my heart aright at our first meeting, you might have
+consoled yourself otherwise."
+
+"It was the fear of my letter; the apprehension of its producing a
+contrary effect that furnished my misgiving. I trembled over the consent
+of your parents."
+
+"Dost know, too, that my mother favored the match from the start? In
+truth she gave me every encouragement, perhaps awakened my soul to the
+flame."
+
+"No matter. We are in the morning of our bliss; its sun is about to
+remain fixed. Wish for a cloudless sky."
+
+They were now in the great drawing-room which ran the full depth of the
+building, with windows looking both east and west. In the middle of the
+great side wall lodged a full-throated fireplace above which rose
+imposingly an elaborately wrought overmantel, whose central panel was
+devoid of any ornamentation. The door frames with their heavily molded
+pediments, the cornices, pilasters, doortrims and woodwork rich in
+elaboration of detail were all distinctive Georgian, tempered, however,
+with much dignified restraint and consummate good taste.
+
+"We can thank the privateer for this. Still it was a fair profit and
+wisely expended, wiser to my mind than the methods of Robert Morris. At
+any rate it is the more satisfactory."
+
+"He has made excellent profits."
+
+"Nevertheless, he has lost as many as an hundred and fifty vessels.
+These have affected his earnings greatly. Were he not so generous to an
+ungrateful people, a great part of his loss might now have been
+retrieved."
+
+"I have heard it said, too, that he alone has provided the sinews of the
+revolt," said Peggy.
+
+"Unquestionably. On one occasion, at a time of great want, I remember
+one of his vessels arrived with a cargo of stores and clothing, whose
+whole contents were given to Washington without any remuneration
+whatsoever. And you, yourself, remember that during the winter at Valley
+Forge, just about the time Howe was evacuating the city, when there
+were no cartridges in the army but those in the men's boxes, it was he
+who rose to the emergency by giving all the lead ballast of his favorite
+privateer. He has made money, but he has lost a vast amount. I made
+money, too, just before I bought this house. And I have lost money."
+
+"And have been cheated of more."
+
+"Yes. Cheated. More generosity from my people! I paid the sailors their
+share of the prize money of the British sloop that they as members of
+the crew had captured, that is, with the help of two other privateers
+which came to their assistance. The court allowed the claims of the
+rival vessels but denied mine. I had counted upon that money but found
+myself suddenly deprived of it. Now they are charging me with having
+illegally bought up the lawsuit."
+
+He was seated now and lay back in his chair with his disabled limb
+propped upon a stool before him.
+
+"They continue to say horrid things about you. I wish you were done with
+them," Peggy remarked.
+
+He removed his finely powdered periwig and ran his heavy fingers through
+his dark hair.
+
+"I treat such aspersions with the contempt their pettiness deserves. I
+am still Military Governor of Philadelphia and as such am beholden to no
+one save Washington. The people have given me nothing and I have nothing
+to return save bitter memories."
+
+"I wish we were away from here!" she sighed.
+
+"Margaret!" He never called her Peggy. He disliked it. "Are you not
+happy in this home which I have provided for you?"
+
+His eyes opened full.
+
+"It isn't that," she replied, "I am afraid of Reed."
+
+"Reed? He is powerless. He is president of the City Council which under
+English law is, in time of peace, the superior governing body of the
+people. But this is war, and he must take second place. I despise him."
+
+Peggy looked up inquiringly.
+
+"Suppose that the worst should happen?" she said.
+
+"But--how--what can happen?" he repeated.
+
+"Some great calamity."
+
+"How--what do you mean?" he asked.
+
+"If you should be removed, say, or transferred to some less important
+post?"
+
+A thought flashed into his mind.
+
+"Further humiliated?"
+
+"Yes. What then?"
+
+"Why,--I don't know. I had thought of no possible contingency. I wished
+for a command in the Navy and wrote to Washington to that effect; but
+nothing came of it. I suppose my increasing interest in domestic affairs
+in the city, as well as my attentions to you, caused me to discontinue
+the application. Then again, I thought I was fitted for the kind of life
+led by my friend Schuyler in New York and had hoped to obtain a grant of
+land in the West where I might lead a retired life as a good citizen."
+
+"I would die in such a place. The Indians would massacre us. Imagine me
+hunting buffalo in Ohio!"
+
+Her face wore a sardonic smile. It was plain to be seen that she was in
+a flippant mood.
+
+"Have you given the matter a thought? Tell me," he questioned.
+
+"No! I could not begin to think."
+
+"Are you not happy?"
+
+"Happiness springs not from a large fortune, and is often obtained when
+often unexpected. It is neither within us nor without us and only
+evident to us by the deliverance from evil."
+
+He glanced sharply. There was fire in his eye.
+
+"I know of what you are thinking. You are disturbed by these persistent
+rumors about me."
+
+She gave a little laugh, a chuckle, in a hopeless manner.
+
+"Yes, I am. Go on." She answered mechanically and fell back in her
+chair.
+
+"You need not be disturbed. They are groundless, I tell you. Simply
+engendered by spite. And I blame partly the Papist Whigs. Damn 'em."
+
+"It isn't that alone."
+
+"That is some of it. The origin of the hostility to me was the closing
+of the shops for a week under an order direct from Washington himself,
+and a resolution of the Congress. Yet I was blamed. The next incident
+pounced upon by them was my use of the government wagons in moving
+stores. As you know I had this done to revictual and supply the army.
+But I permitted the empty wagons to bring back stores from the direction
+of New York and was charged with being in communication with the enemy."
+
+"Which would be more praiseworthy."
+
+He paid no attention to her remark but continued:
+
+"I was honest in supposing the goods to be bonafide household goods
+belonging to non-combatants. As a matter of fact some of the decorations
+at our wedding were obtained in this manner. What followed? A public
+complaint."
+
+"I know."
+
+"Then that scheming interloper Matlack! You know of him?"
+
+"I think so."
+
+"You've heard of his father, of course!"
+
+"No."
+
+"The Secretary to Reed, the President of the Council? Timothy Matlack?
+His social aspirations were somewhat curtailed by my interest in public
+affairs. He has borne me in mind and evidently intends my ruin."
+
+"In that he differs not from many other so-called friends."
+
+"I did all in my power to soothe his ruffled feelings in a long,
+considerate letter in answer to his note of grievance. Only later I
+learned that it was his son whose haughty nature had been offended."
+
+"You were no party to the offense. In fact you knew naught of it until
+the episode had been concluded."
+
+"True, but Franks had taken part in it, and Franks was my head
+aide-de-camp. It was trivial. He wanted a barber and sent young Matlack
+who was doing sentry duty at the door to fetch one. Naturally I defended
+his action in my letter of reply."
+
+"I tell you, they do not want you here. Can't you sense that? Else these
+charges would never have been uttered. They are mere pretexts. They are
+weary of you and desire your resignation."
+
+She talked rapidly, violently. Her face assumed a stern expression.
+
+He did not reply but peered into the distance.
+
+"The 'American Fabius', I suppose, is still watching General Clinton,"
+Peggy continued.
+
+"He has thrown a cordon about him at New York. With a sufficient force
+he might take him."
+
+"Never! The Americans never were a match for His Majesty's well-trained
+troops. The longer the struggle endures the sooner this will be
+learned."
+
+"Time is with us, dear. The mother country knows this."
+
+She looked at him. It was astonishing to her that he could be so
+transparent and so unaware of it. Really he was not clever.
+
+"Why do you say that?" she asked. "Every day our lot grows worse. The
+troops perish from misery; they are badly armed; scarcely clothed; they
+need bread and many of them are without arms. Our lands lie fallow. The
+education of a generation has been neglected, a loss that can never be
+repaired. Our youths have been dragged by the thousands from their
+occupations and harvested by the war; and those who return have lost
+their vigor or have been mutilated for life."
+
+"You are partly right," he mused. "America lost the opportunity for
+reconciliation immediately after my victory at Saratoga. Since then, as
+you say, the land has become a waste of widows, beggars and orphans.
+Then came the French Alliance, a sacrifice of the great interests, as
+well as the religion of this country to the biased views of a proud,
+ancient, crafty and priest-ridden nation. I always thought this a
+defensive war until the French joined in the combination. Now I look
+with disfavor upon this peril to our dominion, this enemy of our faith."
+
+Peggy became interested immediately. She sat straight up in her chair.
+
+"You never spoke these thoughts to me before!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I feared it. You are a Tory, at least at heart. And I knew that you
+would only encourage me in my manner of thought. God knows, I am unable
+to decide between my perplexities."
+
+"You know how General Monk decided?"
+
+"My God! He was a traitor!"
+
+"He restored Charles," insisted Peggy.
+
+"And sold his soul."
+
+"For the Duchy of Albemarle."
+
+"Good God! girl, don't talk thoughts like that, I--I---- He has endured
+universal execration. It was an act of perfidy." He scowled fiercely. He
+was in a rage.
+
+Peggy smiled. She did not press the subject, but allowed it to drop.
+
+"My! How dark it has become!" she exclaimed.
+
+She struck a light and touched the wicks of the candles.
+
+
+III
+
+Dizzy was the eminence to which General Arnold and his girl bride
+ascended! On a sudden they found themselves on the highest pinnacle--the
+one of military fame--with Gates, Lee, Wayne, Greene and many other
+distinguished generals at their feet, the other of social prestige the
+observed of all observers! For a time Arnold's caprices had been looked
+upon as only the flash and outbreak of that fiery mind which had
+directed his military genius. He attacked religion; yet in religious
+circles his name was mentioned with fondness. He lampooned Congress; yet
+he was condoned by the Whigs.
+
+Then came the reaction. Society flew into a rage with its idol. He had
+been worshiped with an irrational idolatry. He was censured with an
+irrational fury. In the first place the position in which he was placed
+as Military Governor required the exercise of the utmost patience and
+tact. Neither of these qualities did he possess. The order to close the
+shops caused discontent. People became incensed at the sight of a
+dictator interfering with their private life. There was thrust upon them
+in his person the very type that they were striving to expel. His manner
+of action suddenly became obnoxious.
+
+What was merely criticism in respect to his public life, became a
+violent passion respecting the affairs of his private life. There were
+many rumors of his intercourse with the Tory element. Brilliant
+functions were arranged, it was said, with the sole view of gaining
+their friendship and good will. He spent the major portion of his free
+time in their company, nay more, he had taken to wife the most notorious
+of their number. Small wonder was it that his sentiments on the question
+of the war were undergoing a marked alteration. The thirst of the
+political Whigs for vengeance was insatiable.
+
+Then he had repaired to a mansion, the most elegant seat in
+Pennsylvania, where he entertained in a style and after a manner far in
+excess of his means. A coach and four he maintained with the greatest
+ostentation. His livery and appointments were extravagant and wholly
+unbecoming an officer of a country so poor and struggling. He drove to
+town in the company of his wife and paid every attention to the
+aristocratic leaders of the city. He disdained the lot of the common
+citizen. Even his head aide-de-camp had submitted a free man to the
+indignity of fetching a barber to shave him, an act countenanced by the
+General himself in a letter of reply to the boy's father.
+
+His entertainments were frequent, altogether too frequent for the
+conservative instincts of the community. Upon the arrival of the French
+Ambassador M. Gerard, a grand banquet was tendered him, after which he
+was entertained with his entire suite for several days at Mount
+Pleasant. Foreigners were seldom absent from the mansion and members of
+Congress, the relatives of his wife, the titled gentry of Europe were
+treated with marked and lavish attention. The visit of General
+Washington was an event memorable for its display and magnificence, the
+ball alone at the City Tavern entailing a vast expenditure. With Madeira
+selling at eight hundred pounds a pipe and other things in proportion to
+the depreciation of the paper currency, the wonder was often expressed
+as to the source of so much munificence.
+
+It was known that General Arnold was not a man of wealth. Whatever
+fortune he had amassed had been obtained mainly through the profits
+accrued from his privateering ventures. The great estate which he now
+possessed, had been bought only a few months previous to his marriage
+out of the profits of one of his vessels, just then returning to port.
+He was continually in debt, and ruin was imminent. Yet he was living at
+the rate of five thousand pounds a year. Whence then came the funds?
+
+He had married a Tory wife, and presently it was discovered that among
+his bosom friends, his table companions, were to be found the enemies of
+America. Rumors began to whisper with nods and shrugs and shakings of
+the head that his wife was imparting profitable information to the
+enemy, and betimes the question was raised as to who was profiting most.
+What was more natural than that she who had been the toasted and lauded
+favorite of the British Officers when they were in possession of the
+city, should now be in communication with them in far-away New York!
+The seeds of suspicion and ill-will were sedulously sown--and the yield
+was bound to be luxuriant.
+
+So the days rolled into weeks, and the weeks clustered into months, and
+the months fell into the procession of the seasons, and in the meantime,
+Arnold and his wife passed their time in conjugal felicity and regal
+splendor. Their affection was constant, tender and uninterrupted; and
+this alone afforded him consolation and happiness; for his countrymen
+were in a bad mood with him. His wife, his home, his estate now defined
+the extent of his ambition. The world had turned against him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+I
+
+A busier man in the city of Philadelphia during the winter and spring
+season of '78 than John Anderson, would have been hard to find. For
+weeks he had applied himself with relentless energy to the work before
+him; for months he had deprived himself of the customary rounds of
+pleasure in the interests of the seemingly gigantic task allotted to
+him; until at length, for the first time, he was enabled to appreciate
+to some degree the results of his toil. It was now past Easter-tide and
+the moments were hurrying faster and faster in their haste towards the
+culmination of the conspiracy that was forming little by little in the
+heart of the community like an abscess in the body of a sick man.
+
+Progress had been made at New York although it was acknowledged that the
+recruiting there had fallen far short of all expectations. Still it was
+a much simpler matter to effect the formation of such a regiment where
+the work could be carried on openly and under the protection of General
+Clinton; and where no sympathizer of the colonists, however loyal, would
+dare to enter a formal protest against the proceedings. It is quite true
+that Catholics were divided there as elsewhere; for not every one lent
+his spontaneous, complete, and energetic adhesion to the cause of
+American independence. And who would dare condemn their restraint; when
+the memory of the intolerable and bitter practices of the early
+patriots was recalled? They could not forget; and what was more, many
+did not want to forget.
+
+It was found impossible to gather in the city, now held by the enemy, a
+thousand or more men sufficient to compose a regiment. Hence it was
+necessary to draw from the neighboring colonies. Anderson had come to
+Philadelphia with this object in view and, as an aid to his work, had
+established himself immediately in the graces of the military
+authorities. Quietly, privately, secretly, he pursued his quest, seeking
+out likely individuals whom he impressed into the service of His Majesty
+with not so much as a scruple as to means, fair or foul. Blackmail he
+employed freely and the pressure of unpaid debts reaped for him a
+harvest of names.
+
+The currency was then worthless and the cost of living enormous. He was
+the odd individual who could boast of being free from debt, and the
+common jail and the stocks in the market place at Second and High
+Streets were tireless in meting out their punishments to the delinquent
+debtors. Anderson took royal advantage of this state of affairs, either
+by resolving the debt in favor of an enlistment in the company or by
+effecting a threatened punishment on the part of the creditor unless his
+wishes were complied with. Many recruits who otherwise would have
+rejected flatly the base proposition, were secured by such means.
+
+At length he had registered about an hundred names, drawn from all
+classes of the city. The services of Father Farmer had been sought as
+chaplain, but this worthy servant of God gently but firmly declined
+because of the weight of age and "several other reasons." Colonel
+Clifton was still in charge of the regiment but the other officers were
+to be Roman Catholics and appointed by the colonels. A meeting for the
+purpose of organization would be held in the Provincial Hall in the
+course of a few weeks. Then the company would be shipped as soon as
+possible to New York for incorporation in the regiment there.
+
+Anderson found General Arnold a ready and effective instrument in the
+perfection of the plot. Not only had the latter supplied him with all
+manner of information, but his authority had been employed on more than
+one occasion in the matter of impressment. Whatever motives actuated the
+General were ascribed by Anderson solely to his profound dislike of
+Catholics and all things Catholic. A further incentive to the success of
+the project was furnished by the issuance of a pass by the Military
+Governor enabling a vessel to leave the port of Philadelphia, where it
+had been tied up, for New York, for the purpose of transporting to that
+city the members of the recruited company. This was, of course, a
+violation of the military code, but the affair was done so secretly that
+it was known only to Anderson and the Governor. The remote preparations
+were now completed. All was in readiness for the meeting of the
+so-called volunteers.
+
+Meanwhile, Marjorie had continued to be an object of interest to the
+busy Anderson, and he had paid attention to her with a marked gallantry.
+Through the late winter and early spring he had been a frequent visitor
+at her home and had often escorted her in public to the theater and
+dancing assemblies. He flattered himself that her confidence had early
+been gained and much information helpful to his scheme had been
+obtained. He had played his part well, although on one occasion, he had
+almost revealed himself; nevertheless he was completely satisfied that
+she not for a moment suspected the real purpose of his designs.
+
+Now he felt obliged to hold one more conference with the Military
+Governor, for it was required that he know definitely the time set for
+the vessel's departure. That was the sole obstacle to his plans, for the
+date of the assembly depended upon the day of the sailing of the
+transport. Arnold would know of its readiness; its clearance was then a
+matter of personal convenience.
+
+And so, this fine afternoon in early May, he resolved to direct his
+steps in the direction of Mount Pleasant where he would complete his
+plans. It was a long walk but less attention would be aroused by his
+going afoot, and so he started early. Little did he suspect, however,
+that his every move was being observed and that a pair of eyes had
+pursued him to the very park, watching him even as he ascended the great
+stone steps of the mansion.
+
+He lifted the brass knocker and gave two or three slight taps, and even
+as he did so the blue eyes continued to observe him.
+
+
+II
+
+The dining-hall at Mount Pleasant was such as was befitting the noble
+proportions of the mansion. It adjoined the hall in opposition to the
+great drawing-room, its eastern side terminating in an ell extension
+from the hall proper where a wide easy staircase with a balustrade of
+gracefully turned spindles ascended to the second floor. It was lighted,
+not only by the fire that burned in the reredos at the northern wall,
+but also by eight cresset-lamps and as many candles set in huge silver
+candelabra on the center table.
+
+Anderson was hungry from his long walk and ate well. A great roast
+goose reposing in a huge silver platter was brought in by the servants
+and set before them. There were vegetables of every sort, jellies,
+sweetmeats, floating islands, and a dessert of fruits, raisins and
+almonds. Madeira was drunk freely by all without any apparent
+disadvantage.
+
+"And how were all at home?" asked Peggy when they were seated. The
+conversation was on general topics--for the servants were coming in and
+out with the food.
+
+"I saw only your sister when I called with Marjorie. Mr. Shippen was
+away and Mrs. Shippen had a cold, a very slight one I believe."
+
+"She is susceptible to asthmatic attacks," observed the General.
+
+"Quite!" replied Anderson.
+
+"She bears up remarkably. I think she has never missed a function."
+
+"Her will-power alone," replied Peggy. "She can surmount obstacles; she
+has never lost an opportunity."
+
+They lapsed into silence, occupying themselves with the delicious
+repast. Sometimes they talked of this, that and the other quite freely
+and easily--of the society news, of the presence of Miss Franks at the
+wedding, of the splendor of it all. Indeed, there was nothing to
+indicate more than a company of old-time friends.
+
+"I am ready to take my charges along with me," announced Anderson at
+length.
+
+"Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Arnold. "Later,--in the park, we shall
+treat of that."
+
+Then the servants came again and removed the dishes. After another
+goblet of Madeira they left the table, going immediately out of doors,
+for it was now dusk.
+
+"I can do no more with the recruiting. I have in round numbers, an
+hundred," Anderson began when they had been seated in the cypress walk.
+The moon was not yet half way to the zenith and lay a dull copper color
+in the eastern sky, partially eclipsed by the chimney of the great
+house. A solemn silence, terrifying and rife with mysterious sensations,
+seemed to pervade the place. It was a setting well fitted to shroud deep
+and dark designs. No one would dare to venture near.
+
+"You have done well. Egad! I know of none who could have done better."
+
+"Yet it was no easy task, I assure you. They thrill with the very spirit
+of rebellion. Cadwalader will never forgive me, and will haunt me when
+he dies."
+
+"You got him?" Arnold asked.
+
+"I did. But I had to take proceedings against him which portended the
+stocks. I promised him a wheelbarrow to be pushed every day in the
+resolution of his debt. Only when I had the jailer at hand did he
+reconsider. The debt has been paid, and he has already signed."
+
+"I am glad you got him. He's a Papist, isn't he?" inquired Peggy.
+
+"He is, and a staunch one at that," replied her husband.
+
+"Let's get down to business," interrupted Anderson. "How soon may your
+vessel sail?"
+
+"This week, or the early part of next," replied Arnold. "I drew the pass
+three weeks ago. With the time for clearance and sailing allowed, she
+should be ready now. You had better make an allowance of a week."
+
+"How about the crew?"
+
+"They can be depended upon. They are beholden to her owner. Have no
+fears concerning them."
+
+"How soon may she clear?"
+
+He was persistent in this.
+
+"In a few days. Tomorrow if pressed."
+
+"I want to get through with this business as soon as I can and get out
+of this town. It may get too hot for me. If I had that meeting off my
+mind and the men on board bound for New York I would enjoy greater
+repose."
+
+"I thought you were never apprehensive," remarked Peggy. "With your
+composure and gallantry the world would judge that cares set lightly
+upon your head."
+
+"Happy is he who can abandon everything with which his conscience is
+burdened. I have enjoyed no peace of soul for years and I see an
+untimely end."
+
+"Be not so melancholy," observed Arnold. "My boy, the future and the
+world lie before you."
+
+"Like a yawning abyss," was the grave reply.
+
+"Oh! spare us your terrible verdicts," cried Peggy with a smile.
+
+"I believe that I should have crushed with my scorn the philosopher who
+first uttered this terrible but profoundly true thought," said Anderson.
+"'Prudence is the first thing to forsake the wretched!'"
+
+"Have you been imprudent?" she asked.
+
+"I did find a charm in my escapades. At first I tingled with fear, but I
+gradually laid aside that cloak of suspicion which guards safety, and
+stalked about naked. A despicable contempt arises from an unreserved
+intimacy. We grow bolder with our efforts."
+
+"What is success?" asked Peggy.
+
+Their mood was heavy; their tone morose. A sadness had settled upon them
+like the blanket of the night. Only the moon climbing into the heavens
+radiated glory.
+
+"Come! Away with those dismal topics!" exclaimed the General. "This is
+the time for rejoicing."
+
+"Can you rejoice?" inquired the visitor.
+
+"I, too, should be happy, but I fear, alas, I am not. My people give me
+no peace."
+
+"Why not render your country a lasting service?"
+
+"How?"
+
+"By performing a heroic deed that will once for all put an end to this
+unseemly conflict."
+
+"Never! I have been shattered twice for my efforts. I am done with
+active field duty."
+
+"I do not think of that," Anderson assured him.
+
+"Of what, then?"
+
+"You know that the mother country had already offered conciliation. The
+colonies shall have an American Parliament composed of two chambers; all
+the members to be Americans by birth, and those of the upper chamber to
+have the same title, the same rank, as those of the House of Lords in
+England."
+
+"What? A Marquis of Pennsylvania, a Duke of Massachusetts Bay?" he
+laughed aloud at this.
+
+"No less fitting than the Duke of Albemarle."
+
+"Why do you mention him?" Arnold inquired immediately. A thought flashed
+before his mind. Had Peggy and this man conversed on that point?
+
+"He simply came into my mind. Why?"
+
+"Oh! Nothing. Continue."
+
+"As I was saying, all laws, and especially tax laws, shall be the work
+of this legislature, with the signature of the Viceroy. They shall
+enjoy in every relation the advantage of the best government. They
+shall, if necessary, be supported by all the naval and military force of
+England, without being exposed to the dangers or subjected to the taxes
+from which such a military state is inseparable."
+
+"But how? What can I do that I have not already done?"
+
+"You have the courage, you have the ingenuity to render that important
+service. Why allow your countrymen to shed more blood when the enemy is
+willing to grant all you are fighting for? You can save them from
+anarchy. You can save them from the factions of Congress."
+
+"God knows how ardently I desire such a consummation," breathed the
+Governor.
+
+"I am confident that he would perform any act, however heroic or signal,
+to benefit the cause of his country," remarked Peggy with deliberate
+emphasis.
+
+"Name it. What shall I do?" he asked.
+
+"Act the part of General Monk in history," announced Anderson.
+
+Arnold recoiled. He could not believe his ears. Then the awful truth
+dawned upon him.
+
+"Is this your work?" he turned to Peggy fiercely.
+
+"On my honor, I never thought of it." His wife was frightened at his
+sudden change of manner.
+
+There was silence. The trio sat in thought, one awaiting the other to
+speak the first word.
+
+"Never," blurted Arnold. "Never, so long as I wear this uniform."
+
+"And yet the world resounds with his praises, for he performed a
+disinterested and humane act."
+
+"A treacherous and cowardly act!"
+
+"Listen, I shall confide in you. If you would but exert your influence
+in favor of an amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the
+colonies and the mother country, you might command ten thousand guineas
+and the best post in the service of the government."
+
+"Would that mean a peerage?" asked Peggy suddenly.
+
+"Assuredly," was the reply.
+
+She stood up and strutted in a pompous and stately manner before them;
+then she turned and courtesied before her husband.
+
+"Your Grace, the carriage waits without. The Duchess is already in
+waiting," she announced with a sweeping gesture.
+
+He scowled at her but did not answer.
+
+"Clive saved the British Empire in India and you can save the colonies,"
+insisted Anderson.
+
+"Would not a proud position at court, the comfortable income of a royal
+estate, the possession of a peerage on home soil more than reward a man
+as was the case with General Monk?" challenged Peggy, with a flash of
+sudden anger.
+
+"And leave my country in its hour of need," he finished the sentence for
+her.
+
+"Your country!" she taunted. "What has your country done for you? The
+empty honors you have gained were wrung from her. The battle scars you
+bear with you were treated with ingratitude. You were deprived of your
+due honors of command. Even now you are attacked and hounded from every
+angle. Your country! Pooh! A scornful mistress!"
+
+She sat down and folded her arms, looking fiercely into the dark.
+
+It is strange how human nature could be touched by so small affairs.
+The war of continents meant very little to her imagination. Certainly
+the parallel was not perfect; but it seemed to her to fit.
+
+He looked around slowly.
+
+"You took me for what I am," he said to her. "I gave you prestige,
+wealth, happiness. But I have promised my life to my country if she
+requires it and I shall never withdraw that promise while I live. Better
+the grave of the meanest citizen than the mausoleum of a traitor."
+
+"But think of your country!" insisted Anderson.
+
+"Anderson," was the reply, "I know the needs of the country and I know
+deeply my own grievances. Suppose I yield to your suggestions and
+Britain fails,"--he paused as if to measure the consequences. "I shall
+be doomed. I shall be called a bigot. My children will hate me."
+
+He seemed to waver. His earlier enthusiasm apparently diminished before
+their attack.
+
+"But," continued Anderson, "with your aid Britain cannot fail. And
+remember how England rewards those who render her great and signal
+services. Look at the majestic column at Blenheim Palace reared to the
+memory of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. Contrast with it what
+Peggy has just said, the ingratitude, the injustice, the meanness, with
+which Congress has treated you."
+
+"Must the end justify the means?" he mused. "Can you continue to urge me
+to duplicate the treachery of Churchill, who can never be forgiven for
+his treason? Whatever else he may have achieved, you must remember he
+was first and last a traitor."
+
+"He was doubly a traitor, if you are pleased to so stigmatize him. He
+first betrayed his benefactor, James, to ally himself with the Prince
+of Orange; and then, on the pretext of remorse, broke faith with
+William; acted the part of a spy in his court and camp; offered to
+corrupt his troops and lead them over to James; and still all was
+forgotten in the real service which he rendered to his country, and his
+name has gone into history----"
+
+He was interrupted by a sharp sound, as if some one had stepped upon a
+branch or a twig, causing it to snap beneath his feet. On the instant,
+Anderson was upon his feet, his hand feeling instinctively for his
+pistol.
+
+"We are betrayed," he whispered. "There is a spy here."
+
+All had arisen in silence and were peering into the blackness of the
+night whence the sound apparently came. Anderson thought he saw a figure
+emerge from behind a tree far off in the distance and he immediately
+gave chase, opening fire as he did so. Several times he fired into the
+dark space before him, for it was bristling with shade, notwithstanding
+the obscure light of the moon. As he covered the wide area between him
+and the river, the lithe form of a man emerged from the wooded area and
+disappeared down the incline which led to the water. Nearing the bank he
+heard distinctly the splash of the body and he fired again into the spot
+whence the noise arose. The waters were still in commotion when he
+reached them, but there was no one to be found; nothing save the gentle
+undulation of the surface as it closed over its burden, and gradually
+became placid under the soft stillness of the night. After several
+minutes of intense vigilance, he slowly retraced his steps.
+
+
+III
+
+"The river has swallowed him," he exclaimed as he neared Arnold and
+Peggy, who were standing quite motionless at the side of the settees.
+
+"Who was it?" the General asked eagerly.
+
+"I did not see him. He disappeared into the river. I heard the splash of
+his dive and fired several times in its direction, but saw no one."
+
+"Did he swim it?"
+
+"No! I would have seen him. The water was unruffled except for the
+disturbance caused by his dive. The poor devil must have sunk to the
+bottom. Perhaps one of my shots took effect."
+
+"I don't like this," muttered Arnold. "I would not have that
+conversation overheard for the crown of England. An enemy was near. I
+hope to God he is in the bottom of the river."
+
+"Still, I may have hit him. I was no more than fifty yards away."
+
+"I shall have the bed dragged in the morning. I could not rest without
+finding him. His identity must be learned."
+
+Leaving the settees, they set off in the direction of the house,
+entering by the rear door. The servants were already in alarm over the
+shooting and were standing in a group behind the threshold motionless
+with awe. Peggy paused to assure them of their safety, narrating briefly
+the cause of the disturbance, together with the probable fate of the
+spy. She rejoined her husband and his guest in the drawing-room.
+
+"I wonder who the intruder was?" Arnold muttered. There was a look of
+worry and anxiety on his face. His fingers nervously locked and
+interlocked, and the next moment grasped his chin and rubbed his cheek.
+He put his foot upon the stool and took it down again. Then he sat
+forward in his chair.
+
+"Reed is behind this," he ejaculated. "You will find out that I am
+right. Reed has done this, or has sent one of his lieutenants. Damn him!
+He has hounded me."
+
+"I may have been tracked. Perhaps it was I who was sought. My late
+movements might have created suspicion, and it is possible that I was
+shadowed here."
+
+"No, Anderson. No! It was not you they were seeking. It is I, I tell
+you. Reed has been watching me like a sharpshooter from the day I
+arrived. He has been the author of the rumors which you have heard about
+town, and he would risk his life to be enabled to establish a serious
+charge against me. I am sure of it. Reed is behind this; Reed and the
+City Council."
+
+"It was a nimble form----"
+
+"Did you say you thought you hit him?" he asked nervously, seeking some
+source of comfort and assurance.
+
+"As I live, I hit him," Anderson promised him. "Else I would have
+discovered him in the act of swimming. He is in the bottom of the
+river."
+
+"That's good, damn him. Oh! If it were but Reed himself! He haunts me."
+
+"He would not haunt you did you but remove yourself from here,"
+volunteered Peggy.
+
+"I know it. I know it," he repeated. "But how can I?"
+
+"I suggested one avenue to you," proposed Anderson.
+
+"Which?"
+
+He awaited the answer.
+
+"Via England."
+
+His face glared with a livid red. He brought his fist high above his
+head.
+
+"By heavens!" he roared. "I won't hear that again. I won't listen to it,
+I tell you. I'm afraid to do it. I cannot do it. I cannot."
+
+He shook his head as he slowly repeated the words.
+
+"Pardon me," Anderson pleaded, "I intended no harm. I apologize most
+sincerely for my impertinence. It will not happen again, I assure you."
+
+"That will do. Drop it at that."
+
+"The vessel will be ready next week? The meeting, then, can take place a
+week from Thursday."
+
+"Undoubtedly."
+
+"You will assure me of your interest?"
+
+He was on the point of going. Though he had conquered, still, he did not
+know that he had conquered. He believed, as he turned and faced his
+friend for the last time in Mount Pleasant, that his mind was fully made
+up and that he had decided for all time in favor of the cause, at the
+sacrifice of himself.
+
+"I shall do what I can," Arnold whispered, "but no more."
+
+He parted from them at the threshold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+I
+
+"I have always contended, Griff, that a bigot and a patriot are
+incompatible," remarked Stephen as he sat on the side of his bed, and
+looked across the room and out into the sunlit street beyond.
+
+"Is that something you have just discovered?" answered Sergeant Griffin
+without taking his eyes from the newspaper before him. He was seated by
+the window, musing the morning news, his curved pipe hanging idle from
+his mouth, from which incipient clouds of smoke lazily issued and as
+lazily climbed upward and vanished through the open casement into
+threads of nothingness.
+
+"No," was the reply, "but I have come to the conclusion that the
+philosophy of religious prejudice cannot be harmonized with true
+patriotism. They stand against each other as night and day. The one
+necessarily excludes the other."
+
+"Do you know, Captain," the sergeant reasoned, pointing towards Stephen
+with the stem of his pipe, "a hard shell and a fool are somewhat alike;
+one won't reason; the other can't."
+
+"I guess you're right," Stephen laughed. "But love of country and love
+of one's neighbor should be synonymous. This I have found by actual
+experience to be almost a truism."
+
+He was idling about the room gathering wearing apparel from the closets
+and drawers, pausing for a moment to feel a pile of wet clothing that
+lay across the back of a straight chair.
+
+"You must have fallen overboard last night," observed the sergeant.
+
+"I didn't fall, Griff; I jumped."
+
+"And let me tell you, Griff," Stephen continued, "Arnold has become one
+of the most dangerous men in the whole American Army."
+
+He was dressing quietly.
+
+"And you discovered that, too?"
+
+"I am certain of it, now."
+
+"That is more like it. I don't suppose you ever had any doubts about it.
+Now you have the facts, eh?"
+
+"I have some of them; not all. But I have enough to court-martial him."
+
+"And you got them last night?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"And got wet, too?"
+
+"I almost got killed," was the grave response.
+
+"How?"
+
+"Anderson shot at me."
+
+"Was he with you, also?"
+
+"No. After me."
+
+"Come, let us hear it. Where were you?"
+
+"At Mount Pleasant."
+
+"With Arnold and Anderson?"
+
+"Yes. But they did not know it. I shadowed Anderson to the house and lay
+concealed in the park. In the evening they came into the park, that is,
+Arnold and Peggy and Anderson."
+
+"And they discovered you?"
+
+"I think they did not. I was unfortunate enough to break a branch
+beneath my foot. They heard it. Of course, I was obliged to leave
+hurriedly, but Anderson must have seen me running. The distance was too
+great to allow him to recognize me. Then, again, I was not in uniform."
+
+"And he shot at you, I suppose."
+
+"He did, but the shots went wide. I decided the river was the safest
+course, so I headed for that and dived in. I believe I was fortunate in
+attempting to swim under water; this I did as long as I could hold my
+breath. When I arose, I allowed myself to float close to the shore along
+with the current until I had moved far down the river. After that I lost
+all sight of him."
+
+He was now dressed in his military uniform and looked little exhausted
+from his experience of the night before, notwithstanding the fact that
+he had enjoyed but a few hours' sleep. Still, it was past the hour of
+ten, and he could tell from the appearance of the street that the sun
+was already high in the heavens. He went to the window and looked out at
+the citizens hurrying to and fro about their several errands. From an
+open window directly across the way resounded the familiar strain of
+"Yankee Doodle" drawn from a violin by a poor but extremely ambitious
+musician. He stood for a minute to listen.
+
+"There are a few of them in the colonies," he remarked.
+
+"I would there were one less," was the reply.
+
+Stephen turned from the window.
+
+"We have some work ahead of us, Griff," he said after a long pause. "The
+plot is about to sizzle. Are you ready?" he asked.
+
+"Of course. When do you want me?"
+
+"I cannot tell you now. I have learned that the work of recruiting is
+about finished and that the organization will take place some time next
+week. The company will leave the following day for New York on a vessel
+for which Arnold has already issued a pass."
+
+"Arnold?"
+
+"Yes, Arnold," he repeated. "He has been in this scheme from the start.
+Remember that note I told you about? I have watched him carefully since
+then, awaiting just such a move. I can have him court-martialed for
+this."
+
+"For this pass?"
+
+"Certainly. That is a violation of Section Eighteen of the Fifth Article
+of War."
+
+The sergeant whistled.
+
+"And I am going to this meeting."
+
+"You are going?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How?"
+
+"That I do not know. But I shall find a way. They have forced Jim
+Cadwalader into the company."
+
+"Jim?"
+
+"Yes. I learned that last night. Today I mean to see Jim to learn the
+particulars. After that we shall be in a position to decide further. You
+will be here when I return?"
+
+"Yes. I shall stay here."
+
+"I won't go until late this afternoon. Until then keep your eye open."
+
+"Yes, sir," he replied, saluting.
+
+
+II
+
+When Stephen had presented himself that afternoon at Jim Cadwalader's
+modest home, he had almost persuaded himself that all would not be
+well. That the members of the Catholic regiment, whom Anderson boasted
+had totaled nearly an hundred, could so easily be dissuaded from their
+original purpose, he thought highly improbable. He was well aware that
+some of his co-religionists had been subject to British official or
+personal influence; that other some were vehemently opposed to the many
+outrages which had been committed and condoned in the name of Liberty;
+that others still were not unmindful of the spirit of hostility
+displayed by the Colonists during the early days, and had now refused
+for that reason to take sides with their intolerant neighbors in their
+struggle for Independence. Hence it was quite true that many Catholics
+were loyal to the mother country, more loyal, in fact, than they were to
+the principles of American Independence and the land of their birth.
+These, he feared, might have composed the bulk of the recruits and these
+might be the less easily dissuaded. On the other hand, he was satisfied
+that many who were unwilling to barter their allegiance had been
+constrained to yield. If the complexion of the regiment was of the
+latter variety, all would be well. His misgivings were not without
+foundation.
+
+He knocked upon the small white door of Jim's house and inquired of Mrs.
+Cadwalader if he might see her husband. Jim was at the door even as he
+spoke, and grasped his hand warmly, exchanging the greetings of the day.
+He then led him to the chairs under the great tree.
+
+"I want to see you on a matter of great importance," Stephen said with
+no further delay. "Tell me about Mr. Anderson."
+
+"I guess ther' ain't much t' tell," Jim replied.
+
+"You have held conference with him?"
+
+"'Twas him thet held it; not me."
+
+"About the Regiment?"
+
+"Aye!"
+
+"Have you signed your name?"
+
+"I hed t'."
+
+He was all in a fever, for his manner and his hesitation indicated it.
+
+"When do they meet?"
+
+"Thursda' next."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Anderson hisself jest told me."
+
+"He has been here already?"
+
+"Ye-eh, this aft'rnoon."
+
+He looked down upon the ground, considering.
+
+"Where do they meet?"
+
+"Th' basement o' th' Baptist Church."
+
+"Tell me, Jim," Stephen asked quietly. "Why did you enlist in that
+company?"
+
+"I hed t', I told ye."
+
+"Were you compelled to?"
+
+"I was."
+
+And then he told him of the number of debts which beset him, and the
+starvation which was beginning to prick him. He told of the first visit
+of Anderson and his offer of four pounds to every volunteer in the new
+regiment of Catholic soldiers. He declared that he had refused
+absolutely to take part in any disloyal act, however great might be the
+reward, and had said that he preferred to starve until the colonists had
+obtained their rights. He then told of Anderson's second visit, during
+which he offered to relieve him of all financial obligations on
+condition that he would sign with him; which offer he again refused. And
+finally he related how he was threatened with imprisonment for his
+indebtedness, and was actually served with the papers of arrest and
+confinement in the stocks unless his signature was given, and how he was
+at length obliged to yield and sign over the allegiance.
+
+Stephen listened intently throughout it all, oddly studying the face of
+his companion, reading into his very soul as he spoke. He was satisfied
+now with Cadwalader's story.
+
+"Jim," he said at length. "You do not want to join this regiment?"
+
+"No, sir!" he exclaimed aloud. "Not a bit uv it."
+
+"If I promise to assist you to escape from this man, will you lend me
+your help?"
+
+"Will I? Enythin' y' ask, sir."
+
+His eyes brightened with manifest ardor.
+
+"I want to go to that meeting, and I want you to let me take your
+place."
+
+"Sure, y' ken."
+
+"And I want to borrow your clothes."
+
+"I ain't got much," observed Jim, extending his hands and looking down
+at his clothing, "but what I hev, is yours."
+
+"And I want you to be in the vicinity of the building to join in any
+agitation which may result against Mr. Anderson."
+
+"I'll do thet, too."
+
+"Of course, if we fail it may go hard with us. A crowd is an uncertain
+element to deal with, you realize. But it is our only chance. Will you
+take it?"
+
+"O' course, I'll take it. I'll do enythin' y' say, enythin'."
+
+"And Jim! You know of many so-called members of that company who have
+been impressed in a manner similar to yours and who, very likely, are
+of the same state of mind as you."
+
+"I know meny, sir."
+
+"Very good! Can you not move among them and acquaint them secretly with
+what I have just told you? Secure their coöperation for me so that, when
+the moment comes, I may depend upon them for support. Urge them, too, to
+join in whatever demonstration may be made against the project."
+
+"I'll do thet, sir, and y' may depend 'n me fur it."
+
+"You say Thursday night? Keep me informed of any further developments.
+At any rate, I shall see you before then. Remember, however," he
+cautioned, "what I have just confided to you must be kept with the
+utmost secrecy."
+
+He raised his hand high above his head and stood up.
+
+"I hope t' God I die----"
+
+"Never mind swearing," interrupted Stephen, pulling him back again into
+his chair. "Simply be on your guard, that is all."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are right to come back," he said; "you should have persevered in
+your resistance."
+
+"I couldn't help it, could I? I was made t'."
+
+"We become vigorous under persecution," answered Stephen.
+
+"I'm sorry."
+
+"Well then--tell me. Do you know aught of this Mr. Anderson?"
+
+He stared at him with a questioning look. He was completely bewildered.
+
+"Thet I don't. Why? What--what could I know?"
+
+"I mean do you know who he is?"
+
+He sat up.
+
+"Why, I never thought o' him. He seem'd c'rrect 'nough, I thought.
+Marj'rie brought 'im here, I think."
+
+Stephen set his teeth.
+
+"Marjorie?" he repeated. "Are you sure of that?"
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"When was this?"
+
+"It's a good time now. I jest can't r'member."
+
+"Did she know of his purpose?"
+
+He paused as if he would say more, but dared not.
+
+"Thet I can't say. If I r'member c'rrectly she kept herself wid th' old
+lady."
+
+"How often did she accompany him?"
+
+"Just thet once."
+
+"You mean she simply made you acquainted with him?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+A light began to glimmer in Stephen's mind, and gradually the truth
+began to dawn upon him.
+
+"In her presence, I presume, the conversation was more or less general.
+He alluded to the scheme which was uppermost in his mind only secretly
+with you?"
+
+"Thet wuz all, sir."
+
+He knew well enough now what his friend meant, though nothing of the
+details, and from the uncertainty and the apprehension of his manner he
+judged that there was much of which he was still in the dark. Anderson
+had come to Jim with the girl to secure an advantageous introduction;
+after that he had no immediate need of her company. He was of the
+opinion that she was entirely ignorant of the man's character and
+motives, although she was unwittingly an important instrument in his
+hands. Stephen longed to reveal the truth of the situation to her, but
+dared not; at any rate, thought he, not until the proper time came. Then
+she would be enabled to appreciate for herself the trend of the whole
+affair.
+
+"Can I ask ye," inquired Jim in a voice that indicated timidity, "will
+this affair--I mean, d'ye s'ppse this thing 'll bring us t' eny harm, 'r
+thet they'll be a disorder?"
+
+Stephen's eyes danced with excitement.
+
+"Do they observe the courtesies of the law? If it comes to the worst,
+yes,--there will be a scene and the grandest scene in which a villain
+ever participated."
+
+Marjorie entering through the gate posts immediately commanded their
+attention.
+
+
+III
+
+"I should be happy to be permitted to accompany you home," Stephen
+whispered to her at a moment when they chanced to be alone.
+
+"I should be happy to have you," was the soft response.
+
+
+"You look well," she said to him after they had made their adieus to the
+Cadwaladers and begun their walk together down the street.
+
+Her eyes twinkled, and a pretty smile stole across her face.
+
+"I am as tired as I can be. I have endured some trying experiences."
+
+"Can you not leave here and take a rest? I fear that you will overtax
+yourself."
+
+He turned and looked seriously at her.
+
+"Honestly?" he asked.
+
+"Yes. I mean it. Do you know that I have allowed no day to pass without
+praying for you?"
+
+"To know that, and to hear you say it is worth a series of adventures.
+But, really, I could not think of leaving here now; not for another
+fortnight at least. The moments are too critical."
+
+"Are you still engaged in that pressing business?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For your success in that I have also prayed."
+
+She was constant after all, he thought. Still he wondered if she could
+be sincere in her protestations, and at the same time remain true to
+Anderson. For he really believed that she had been deceived by his
+apparent infatuation.
+
+"I suppose you know that Jim has been ensnared?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Jim? No.... I,----What has happened?"
+
+She was genuinely surprised.
+
+"He has enlisted in the regiment."
+
+"Has he forsworn?"
+
+"Not yet. But he has signed the papers of enlistment."
+
+"I am sorry, very sorry." Then after a pause: "It was I who brought
+Anderson to Jim's house, you know."
+
+"Yes. I know."
+
+"But I must confess that I did not know the nature of his errand. I,
+myself, was seeking an advantage."
+
+"No matter. It may eventually redound to our credit."
+
+"I regret exceedingly of having been the occasion of Jim's misfortune."
+
+Her eyes were cast down, her head bent forward as she walked in what
+one might characterize a meditative mood.
+
+"I, too, am sorry. But there are others."
+
+"Many?"
+
+"That I do not know. Later I shall tell you."
+
+"And why not now?"
+
+"I cannot."
+
+It was a troublesome situation in which the two found themselves. Here
+were two souls who loved each other greatly, yet without being able to
+arrive at a mutual understanding on the subject. They were separated by
+a filmy veil. The girl, naturally frank and unreserved, was intimidated
+by the restrained and melancholy mien of her companion. Yet she felt
+constrained to speak lest deception might be charged against her.
+Stephen, troubled in his own mind over the supposed unfavorable
+condition of affairs, skeptical of the affections of his erstwhile
+confidante, felt, too, a like necessity to be open and explain all.
+
+So they walked for a time, he thinking, and she waiting for him to
+speak.
+
+"For two reasons I cannot tell you," he went on. "First, the nature of
+the work is so obscure and so incomplete that I could give you no
+logical nor concise account of what I am doing. As a matter of fact, I,
+myself, am still wandering in a sort of maze. The other reason is that I
+have taken the greatest care to say no word in any way derogatory to the
+character of Mr. Anderson."
+
+"You wouldn't do that."
+
+"That's just it. I should not want to be the cause of your forming an
+opinion one way or the other concerning him. I would much prefer you to
+discover and to decide for yourself."
+
+"That is charity."
+
+"Perhaps!"
+
+"And tact."
+
+She peeped at him, her lips parted in a merry smile. Evidently she was
+in a flippant mood.
+
+"It would be most unfair to him were I to establish a prejudice in your
+mind against him."
+
+"Yet you have already disapproved of my friendship with him."
+
+"I have, as I already have told you."
+
+"Yet you have never told me the reason," she reminded him.
+
+"I cannot."
+
+He shook his head.
+
+For he would not wound her feelings for the world; and still it pained
+him to be compelled to leave her in a state bordering on perplexity, not
+to say bewilderment, as a result of his strange silence. A delicate
+subject requires a deft hand, and he sensed only too keenly his
+impotency in this respect. He, therefore, thought it best to avoid as
+much as possible any attempts at explanation, at least for the present.
+
+Furthermore, he was entirely ignorant of her opinion of Anderson. Of
+course, he would have given worlds to know this. But there seemed no
+reasonable hope that that craving would be satisfied. He was persuaded
+that the man had made a most favorable impression upon her, and if that
+were true, he knew that it were fruitless to continue further, for
+impressions once made are not easily obliterated. Poor girl! he thought.
+She had seen only his best side; just that amount of good in a bad man
+that makes him dangerous,--just that amount of interest which often
+makes the cleverest person of a dullard.
+
+Hence she was still an enigma. As far as he was concerned, however,
+there had been little or no variation in his attachment to her. She was
+ever the same interesting, lovely, tender, noble being; complete in her
+own virtues, indispensable to his own happiness. Perhaps he had been
+mistaken in his analysis of her; but no,--very likely she did care for
+the other man, or at any rate was beginning to find herself in that
+unfortunate state--fortunate, indeed, for Anderson, but unfortunate for
+him.
+
+For this reason, more than for any other, he had desisted from saying
+anything that might have lessened Anderson in her regard. It would be
+most unfair to interfere with her freedom of choice. When the facts of
+the case were revealed in all their fullness, he felt certain that she
+would repent of her infatuation, if he might be permitted to so term her
+condition. It seemed best to him to await developments before further
+pressing his suit.
+
+"Stephen," she said at length. "What are you thinking of me?"
+
+"I--Why?--That is a sudden question. Do you mean complimentary or
+critical?"
+
+"I mean this. Have you misjudged my relations with John Anderson?"
+
+"I have thought in my mind----" he began, and stopped.
+
+Marjorie started. The voice was quiet enough but significant in tone.
+
+"Please tell me," she pleaded. "I must know."
+
+"Well, I have thought that you have been unusually attentive to him."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And that, perhaps, you do care for him,--just a little."
+
+There! It was out. She had guessed aright.
+
+"I thought as much," she said quietly.
+
+"Then why did you ask me?"
+
+"Listen," she began. "Do you recall the night you asked me to be of some
+service to you?"
+
+"Perfectly."
+
+"I have thought over that subject long and often. I wondered wherein
+that service could lie. During the night of Peggy's affair it dawned
+upon me that this stranger to whom I was presented, might be more artful
+than honest. I decided to form his acquaintance so that I might learn
+his identity, together with his mission in the city. I cherished the
+ambition of drawing certain information from him; and this I felt could
+be accomplished only by an assumed intimacy with him."
+
+Stephen stopped suddenly. His whole person was tense and magnetic as he
+stared at her.
+
+"Marjorie!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean it?"
+
+"Truly. I read his character from the first. His critical attitude
+displeased me. But I had to pretend. I had to."
+
+"Please! Please forgive me." He turned and seized suddenly both her
+hands. "I thought,--I thought,--I cannot say it. Won't you forgive me?"
+
+Her eyes dropped. She freed her hands.
+
+"Then I tricked you as well," she exclaimed with a laugh.
+
+"And you mean it? I am made very happy today, happier than words can
+express. What loyalty! You have been helping me all the time and I
+never knew it. Why did you not tell me this before?"
+
+"You never gave me leave. I wanted to talk to you so much, and you
+seemed to forbid me.... I prayed for an opportunity, and none came."
+
+"I am very sorry."
+
+"Anderson interested me only in this,--he came into our society for a
+very definite purpose, the nature of which I was most desirous of
+learning. I know now that he is not of our faith, although he pretends
+to be. He is not of French extraction, yet he would lead one to assume
+that he was. He is a British officer and actively engaged in the service
+of the enemy. At present the recruiting of the proposed regiment of
+Catholic Volunteers for service with the enemy is his immediate work. He
+hopes to find many displeased and disloyal members of our kind. Them he
+would incorporate into a company of deserters."
+
+"You have learned that from him?"
+
+"Aye! And more. General Arnold has been initiated into the scheme. I do
+not know what to think except that he has yielded to some influence. His
+antipathy toward us would require none, nevertheless I feel that some
+undue pressure has been brought to bear upon him."
+
+"Anderson?" he asked.
+
+"I do not know. At any rate he will bear watching. I think he is about
+to ask for a more important command."
+
+Stephen then told her of his adventures, relating to her wholly and
+candidly the details of his suspicions, together with his plan for the
+future. Throughout it all she listened with attention, so much
+interested that she was scarce aware that they were crossing the wide
+road before her own home. Her eyes had been about her everywhere as they
+walked, yet they had failed to perceive anything.
+
+"Won't you come in?" she asked. "You are almost a stranger here now."
+
+"I would like to more than I can tell you; but truly I have business
+before me which is pressing. Pardon me just once more, please."
+
+"Mother would be pleased to see you, you know," she insisted.
+
+"I should like, indeed, to see your mother. I shall stop to see her,
+just to inquire for her."
+
+"Will you come when this terrible business is completed?"
+
+"Gladly. Let us say,--next week. Perhaps you might be pleased to come
+canoeing with me for the space of an afternoon?"
+
+"I should be delighted. Next week?"
+
+"Yes. Next week. I shall let you know."
+
+"Here is mother, now."
+
+He went in and shook her hand, inquiring diligently concerning her.
+
+
+IV
+
+As Stephen walked away from the home of his beloved, ruminating over the
+strange disclosures of the day and how satisfactory and gratifying they
+were to him, his state of mind was such that he was eager for the
+completion of the more serious business that was impending so that he
+might return to her who had flooded his soul with new and sudden
+delight. Never was he more buoyant or cheerful. He was cheerful,
+notwithstanding his remorse.
+
+For he did chide himself over his absurd stupidity. He should have
+known her better than to have entertained, for even a passing moment, a
+thought of her inconstancy, and that he should have so misjudged
+her,--her whom he himself would have selected from among his host of
+acquaintances as the one best fitted for the office assumed,--disturbed
+him not a little. His own unworthiness filled him with shame. Why did he
+question her?
+
+And yet he would have given his own life to make her happy, he who was
+quietly allowing her to vanish out of it. He tried to explain his
+fallacy. First of all, the trend of circumstances was decidedly against
+him. There was his arrest and subsequent trial, days when he had longed
+to be at her side to pursue the advantages already gained. Then there
+were the days of his absence from town, the long solid weeks spent in
+trailing Anderson, and in meeting those who had been approached by him
+in the matter of the recruiting. It was well nigh impossible, during
+this time, to seize a moment for pleasure, precious moments during which
+Anderson, as he thought, had been making favorable progress both with
+his suit and with his sinister work. If Marjorie had forgotten him
+quite, Stephen knew that he alone was responsible. Him she had seen but
+seldom; Anderson was ever at her side. No girl should be put to this
+test. It was too exacting.
+
+Despite his appreciation of these facts, his soul had been seized with a
+very great anguish over the thought of his lost prize; and if he had
+failed to conceal his feelings in her presence, it was due to the fact
+that his sensitive nature was not equal to the strain imposed upon it.
+Who can imagine the great joy that now filled his heart to overflowing
+as a result of his conversation today, when he learned from her own
+lips that throughout it all she had been steadfast and true to him
+alone? His great regard for her was increased immeasurably. Her
+character had been put to the test, and she had emerged more beautiful,
+more radiant, more steadfast than before.
+
+This new analysis led him to a very clear decision. First of all he
+would defeat the cunning Anderson at his own game; then he would rescue
+his countrymen from their unfortunate and precarious condition; and,
+finally, he would return to Marjorie to claim his reward. Altogether he
+had spent an advantageous and a delightful afternoon. He was ready to
+enter the meeting house with renewed energy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+I
+
+The hall was very ordinary within. Small in proportion to its great high
+ceiling, bleak in its white-washed walls and scantily covered floor,
+oppressive from its damp, stifling air and poor ventilation, it gave
+every indication of the state of disuse into which it had fallen. It was
+no more than an anteroom to the vestry of the church, though quite
+detached from it, yet one could almost feel through the stout south wall
+the impenetrable weight of darkness which had settled down within the
+great building beyond. The gloomy shadows had penetrated here, too, for
+although the antechamber contained a half dozen windows, they were
+shuttered and barred against every hue of twilight from the outside. The
+very atmosphere was indicative of the sinister nature of the business at
+hand.
+
+To the front of the room a small platform stood surmounted by a table,
+surrounded by chairs. Several men occupied these, interested in a
+conversation, somewhat subdued in its tone and manner. The chairs,
+settees, and benches throughout the rest of the room, were being filled
+by the so-called volunteers, who entered and took their places with an
+air of wonder and indecision. Already two-thirds of the seats were
+taken, and every face turned and re-turned to the door at every
+footfall.
+
+The small door to the side was, of course, barred; but, in response to
+the slightest knock, it was opened by an attendant, assigned for that
+purpose. Names were asked and the cards of admission were collected with
+a certain formality before the aspirant gained admittance. There was no
+introduction, no hurry, no excitement.
+
+"What's your name?" the man at the door was heard to say to one who
+already had tapped for admittance.
+
+"Cadwalader," was the reply. "James Cadwalader."
+
+"Got your card?"
+
+There was no response, only the production of a small white card.
+
+A strong, athletic individual, clad in a checked shirt and a red flannel
+jacket, a leathern apron, and a pair of yellow buckskin breeches,
+entered and stood for a moment looking about the hall. His eyes fell
+upon the group gathered around the table at the forward end of the room.
+Two of them he recognized, Colonel Clifton and John Anderson, the latter
+with his back to the audience. There were many familiar faces in the
+chairs throughout the room, some of whom had expected him, and
+accordingly gave him a slight recognition. Slowly, and in a manifestly
+indifferent manner, he made his way to the front of the chairs where he
+seated himself, and listened sharply to the little group conversing upon
+the platform until he had satisfied himself that there was nothing of
+importance under discussion.
+
+The room was filling rapidly. It was one of those mixed assemblies
+wherein one could discern many states of mind written upon the faces of
+those present. Some wore the appearance of contentment and composure;
+some laughed and talked in a purely disinterested and indifferent
+manner; others looked the picture of unrest and dissatisfaction, and
+wore a scowl of disappointment and defeat. These latter Stephen
+recognized at once and hurriedly made an estimate of their number.
+Together with the neutral representation he seemed satisfied with the
+majority.
+
+The most remarkable feature of all was the silence. Not a voice was
+raised above a whisper. The man at the door at the side of the hall, the
+little group away to the front of the hall, peeping at the audience and
+talking in subdued tones, the people in the chairs, those at the back of
+the hall,--all seemed to hold their tongues to a whisper for interest
+and a kind of fear. Drama was in the air.
+
+The guard at the door advanced to the front of the hall to announce to
+Mr. Anderson that the full quota was present. Whereupon the latter arose
+from his chair and swept with his gaze the entire room, which the dim
+light of the torches only partly revealed. Satisfied with his scrutiny,
+he turned and again conferred with his associates who nodded their heads
+in acceptance of his suggestion. They sat back in their chairs while he
+came to the center of the platform and awaited the cessation of the hum
+which was now becoming audible.
+
+"Let me begin by taking further assurance of your number," he said, "for
+which purpose I shall call the roll of names to which I respectfully ask
+you to respond."
+
+Then followed the reading of the roll-call to which each man at the
+mention of his name signified his presence in the room. Stephen's heart
+fluttered as he replied boldly to the name of "James Cadwalader."
+
+There were eight names to which no reply was given. These very likely
+would come later, or perhaps they had reconsidered their action and had
+decided not to come at all. Those present numbered eighty-six, Stephen
+learned from the count.
+
+"I shall take this opportunity of distributing among you the papers of
+enlistment that you may read the terms of agreement, and these I shall
+ask you to sign at the close of this meeting."
+
+As Anderson finished this sentence, he passed to several aids, a bundle
+of papers which they promptly dealt out to the members of the proposed
+company.
+
+Then Mr. Anderson began.
+
+
+II
+
+"You have assembled this evening, my dear friends and co-religionists,
+to translate into definite action the convictions by which you have been
+impelled to undertake this important business. Our presence means that
+we are ready to put into deeds the inspirations which have always
+dominated our minds. It means that we are about to make a final thrust
+for our religious convictions, and to prove that we are worthy
+descendants of the men who established in this land freedom of religious
+worship, and bequeathed it to us as a priceless heritage."
+
+This Anderson is a clever fellow, thought Stephen, and a fluent talker.
+Already his eloquence had brought quiet to the room and caused those who
+were fumbling with the papers to let them fall motionless in their laps.
+But what a knave! Here he was deliberately playing upon the sympathies
+of his audience in the rôle of a Catholic.
+
+"We have signified our intention of taking this momentous step, because
+we are of the undivided opinion that our rights have been attained. We
+have accomplished our purpose and we have now no cause for martial
+strife. No longer do grounds of contention between us and the mother
+country exist. Our bill of rights has been read abroad and honored, and
+overtures of conciliation have already been made. The object for which
+we linked our forces with the rebel standard, the happiness, the supreme
+happiness of our country, has been gained. We no longer desire open
+warfare.
+
+"The idea of an American Parliament, with its members of American birth,
+is a welcome one. It is a fitting, a worthy ambition. We are confident
+that we are capable, at this juncture, of enacting our own laws and of
+giving them the proper sanction. We are capable of raising our own
+taxes. We are worthy of conducting our own commerce in every part of the
+civilized globe as free citizens of the British Empire. And we are
+convinced that we should enjoy for this purpose the blessings of good
+government, not necessarily self-government, and that we should be
+sustained by all the power requisite to uphold it, as befits free and
+independent children bonded together in a concert of purpose.
+
+"This we desire. But we seek also that freedom in matters of religious
+worship without which no nation can attain to any degree of greatness.
+Under a government conducted solely and independently by the colonists
+we know that such a consummation would be impossible. I need not remind
+you of the deplorable state of affairs which obtained previous to the
+opening of hostilities. I need not recall to your minds the
+anti-Catholic declarations of the Continental Congresses. I need not
+recall to you the machinations of John Jay, or the manifest antipathy of
+the Adamses, or the Hamiltons, or the Paines. I need not recall to you
+how the vaunted defenders of American liberties and freedom expressed
+their supreme detestation of Catholics and all things Catholic, and how
+they were determined that the nightmare of Popery would never hold sway
+over these free and independent colonies as it does even now in Canada.
+I need not recall how the colonies, with the sole exception of this
+colony of Pennsylvania, debarred the free and legitimate exercise of
+your religion within their bounds, and restricted its public ceremonies;
+how you were restricted by oaths required by law, even here in
+Pennsylvania, which you could not take had you been so successful as to
+be chosen to office. I need not remind you of these truths. You already
+know them. It would be idle to repeat them."
+
+"This man is exceedingly dangerous," muttered Stephen, "and exceedingly
+well-informed." He jotted down several notes on the reverse of his
+paper.
+
+"We have been displeased with the conduct of the war, immeasurably so.
+And we have lost all faith in the good will of our fellow-colonists, in
+matters religious as well as in matters political. They have refused to
+treat with the ministers of conciliation. We are about to join our
+forces to those of the mother country in order that we may render our
+own poverty-stricken land an everlasting service. We are destined to
+take our places among a band of true and genuine patriots, who have,
+above all things else, the welfare of their own land at heart, and we
+are about to commit ourselves to this course, together with our
+fortunes and our lives. Since our people are blinded by the avarice and
+the prejudice of their leaders, we shall take into our own hands the
+decision and the fortunes of this war, trusting that our cause may be
+heard at the bar of history when strict judgment shall be meted out. We
+have broken with our people in the hope that the dawn of better days may
+break through the clouds that now overshadow us."
+
+He paused, for a moment to study the temper of his audience. There was
+no sound, and so he continued.
+
+"It is the glory of the British soldier that he is the defender, not the
+destroyer, of the civil and the religious rights of the people. Witness
+the tolerant care of your mother country in the bestowal of religious
+liberties to the inhabitants of our once oppressed neighbor, Canada. The
+Quebec Act was the greatest concession ever granted in the history of
+the British Parliament, and it secured for the Canadians the freedom of
+that worship so dear and so precious to them. So great was the tolerance
+granted to the Catholics of the North, that your fellow-colonists flew
+to arms lest a similar concession be made here. It was the last straw
+that broke the bonds of unity. For, henceforth, it was decreed that only
+a complete and independent separation from the British Parliament could
+secure to the people the practice of the Protestant faith.
+
+"Now we come to the real purpose of this organization. We are about to
+pledge ourselves to the restoration of our faith through the ultimate
+triumph of the British arms. Nobody outside of America believes that she
+can ever make good her claims of independence. No one has ever taken
+seriously her attempt at self-government. France, alone, actuated by
+that ancient hatred for England, inspired by the lust of conquest and
+the greed of spoliation, has sent her ships to our aid. But has she
+furnished the Colonies with a superior force of arms? Has she rendered
+herself liable for any indebtedness? Your mother country alone has made
+this benign offer to you, and it is to her alone that you can look and
+be assured of any reconciliation and peace.
+
+"Victory, once assured, will establish peace and everlasting happiness.
+Victory, now made possible only by the force of arms, will assure us
+toleration in religious matters. And why not? This fratricidal strife
+should not occasion any personal hatred. England is not our foe, but our
+mother in arms against whom we have conceived an unjust grievance. Let
+us lay aside our guns for the olive. Since our fellow-citizens will not
+accept just terms of conciliation let us compel them to do so by the
+strength of our arms.
+
+"Tomorrow we embark for New York at the place of landing indicated on
+the papers of enlistment. There we shall be incorporated into a regiment
+of a thousand men. The recruiting there has met with unlooked-for
+success. Colonel Clifton reports that the ranks already are filled. Your
+admission alone is required, and the ship, which will bear you down the
+waters of the Susquehanna tomorrow, will carry a message of cheer to
+them who have already entrusted themselves, their destinies, their all
+to the realization of our common hope.
+
+"You will now take the oath of allegiance to the government of His
+Majesty, which I shall administer to you in a body. Tomorrow at the hour
+of eight I shall meet you at the pier of embarkation. I shall be glad to
+accompany you to reveal to you my interest in your behalf. Only with a
+united front can we hope for success and to this purpose we have
+dedicated our lives and our fortunes. I shall ask you to rise to a man,
+with your right arm upraised, to take the oath of allegiance to your
+king."
+
+
+III
+
+The spell that held them broke, and the bustle began. A mumble filled
+the room, followed by moments of animated discussion. Neighbor spoke to
+neighbor in terms of approval or plied him with questions menacing and
+entreating. Anderson maintained his composure to allow them to settle
+again into a period of quietude before the administration of the oath.
+At length Stephen arose as if to question, and was given permission to
+speak by the chairman, Mr. Anderson.
+
+"What immunity does His Majesty's Government guarantee to us after the
+war?"
+
+"The usual guarantee will of course be made," Anderson replied.
+
+"Does that mean that we shall be reëstablished in the good-will of our
+fellow-citizens?" Stephen again inquired.
+
+"Unquestionably. When the colonists see the immense benefits which they
+have acquired, they will readily condone all wrongs."
+
+Intense interest was already manifest throughout the room. Faces were
+eagerly bent forward lest a word be lost.
+
+"Such considerations, however, are irrelevant to our purpose," dismissed
+Anderson with a wave of the hand.
+
+"But it is of vital consequence to us. We must return to our people to
+live with them, and we cannot live in an atmosphere of hatred. Who
+knows that our lives may not be placed in jeopardy! My question deals
+with this. Will any provision be made against such a contingency?"
+
+"It is too early to discuss the final settlement, but you have my
+assurance that suitable protection will be given."
+
+"Your assurance?" repeated Stephen. "What amount of assurance may you
+offer to us, you who admittedly are one of ourselves?"
+
+"I consider that an impertinent question, sir, and in no way connected
+with the business before us."
+
+"It is of vital concern to us, I should say; and I for one am desirous
+of knowing more about this affair before yielding my consent."
+
+"You have signed your papers of enlistment already, I believe. There is
+no further course then for you to pursue."
+
+There was a rustle among the seats. Some had begun to realize their
+fate; some had realized it from the start but were powerless to prevent
+it. Two or three faces turned a shade paler, and they became profoundly
+silent. The others, too, held their tongues to await the result of the
+controversy. For here was a matter of vital concern to all. Up to now
+very few deserters, especially among the Catholics, had been discovered
+among the American forces. They had heard of an individual or two
+surrendering himself to the enemy, or of whole families going over to
+the other side in order to retain their possessions and lands. But a
+mutiny was another matter altogether. What if they failed and the
+Colonists gained their independence!
+
+"I suppose we are powerless," admitted Stephen in a low tone of voice
+as he watched the effect of his words on the gathering. "We are
+confronted," he continued, "with the dilemma of estrangement no matter
+what side gains."
+
+"England can't lose," interrupted Colonel Clifton, who heretofore had
+been seated, an attentive observer. "And with victory comes the
+establishment of the will of the conqueror. Care will be taken that
+there shall be adequate reparation."
+
+"Very good!" answered Stephen. "Now together with that privilege of
+immunity, can we be assured of the extension of the Quebec Act? Has
+England so decreed?"
+
+"Not yet," Anderson admitted, "but that extension, or one equal to it,
+will be made one of the conditions of peace."
+
+"We are sure of that, then?"
+
+"Well, we are not sure, but it is only logical to infer such a
+condescension will be made."
+
+"I don't agree with you, I am sorry to say, for the English Parliament
+may be of another mind when peace and victory have been established."
+
+"You are interrupting the meeting. Please let us continue with our
+business," Anderson sharply reproved him.
+
+"I speak for my fellow-citizens here," said Stephen as he turned toward
+them with an appealing gesture, "and I maintain that it is our privilege
+to know certain matters before we transfer our allegiance."
+
+It was now plain to the company that Anderson was worried. His white
+thin lips were firmly compressed as the wrath in his heart blazed within
+him. He was aghast at the blow. It had come from a quarter wholly
+unexpected. That this fellow in these shabby clothes should be gifted
+with a freedom of speech such as to confound him when he thought his
+plans realized to the letter, was astounding. Why, he might sway the
+minds of the entire assembly! Better to silence him at once, or better
+still banish him from the hall than to cope with the possibility of
+losing the entire multitude.
+
+"You have interrupted this meeting more than I care to have you, sir. If
+you will kindly allow me to proceed with the business before the house I
+shall consider it a favor."
+
+"I ask my fellow-citizens here," shouted Stephen by way of reply, "if
+you or any man possesses the right to deprive us of free speech,
+especially at a time as momentous as this. I ask you, my friends, if I
+may continue?"
+
+"Yes!... Go on!... We will hear you!..." were the several acclamations
+from the throng.
+
+Anderson heard it with perceptible confusion. He fumbled nervously with
+his fingers, wholly ignorant of what to say.
+
+"Let me ask, then," said Stephen, "if the idea of independence is wholly
+exclusive of religious toleration. Why are we, a mere handful of men,
+about to pledge ourselves to the accomplishment by force of arms what
+already is accomplished in our very midst? Freedom of religious worship
+is already assured. The several actions of the colonial governing bodies
+lend us that assurance. England can do no more for us than already has
+been done; and what has been done by the Colonies will be guaranteed by
+the elective body of the people in the days of independence. I am
+fearful of the hazards that will accompany this enlistment. Give me
+leave to address you on this topic that you may understand my troubled
+state of mind. I appeal to you. Give me leave to talk."
+
+Whether it was the spontaneous sound issuing from the ranks of those
+already initiated into the secret, or whether a chord already attuned in
+the hearts and minds of the entire assembly, had been marvelously struck
+by him, there was a reverberation of approval throughout the room in
+answer to Stephen's plea. So unanimous was the demonstration that
+Anderson took alarm. The air of democracy was revealing itself in their
+instinctive enthusiasm. And while nothing might result from Stephen's
+rambling remarks, still it would afford them consolation that their side
+of the question had been aired. To a man they voiced their approval of
+the privilege which had been begged.
+
+"Aye!... Speech!... Take the floor!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+I
+
+"I have no desire to make a speech," Stephen began, "but I have asked
+for this privilege of addressing you because we are moving through
+critical times and because there are serious decisions to be made this
+evening, which it is neither right nor possible for us to make without a
+full consideration of the state of affairs. I have devoted much serious
+thought to this subject. I have labored to arrive at a just conclusion,
+and it is in that spirit that I would speak. I feel, too, that I have an
+inalienable right as a free-born citizen to express my views freely and
+publicly, as befits a loyal adherent of the principles which we are now
+defending with our blood. And first among those principles is that which
+guarantees representation in all matters that are of vital concern to
+us."
+
+He had not left his chair but continued to talk from his place beside
+it, turning, however, somewhat in the direction of his audience. Silence
+reigned throughout the room and every face was turned full upon him.
+
+"I, too, had accepted the terms of enlistment on the plea of the
+acquisition of our rights, so admirably exposed to us by our good
+friend, Mr. Anderson. As I pondered the matter, however, I seriously
+questioned whether this were the proper time for the employment of such
+methods. What assurance have we,--if indeed assurance be needed,--that
+this is not another trick of the enemy? Bear with me, please, while I
+unfold to you my thoughts.
+
+"Our leader and our guide in these matters, Mr. Anderson, has made known
+to us that this business of recruiting has been a great success. But did
+he tell us of the sinister methods which often had been resorted to, of
+the many threats which had been exercised over a great number of us, of
+the debts which had been relieved, of the intimidation which had been
+employed? He declared with manifest satisfaction that the recruiting in
+the city of New York had been marvelous in its results, yet he did not
+explain to our satisfaction the reason which impelled the leaders of
+this revolt to seek members from the neighboring cities to help swell
+the ranks; nor did he tell of the means which had been made use of to
+secure that marvelous number in the city, of all cities, where such
+recruiting would be most successful because of the present British
+occupation of the territory. Furthermore, he failed to tell us that he
+himself is not a Catholic, or that his true name is not Anderson, or of
+his history previous to his appearance in this city. Neither did he tell
+us that Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, while a Philadelphia Catholic, is a
+British subject, having accepted British allegiance on the capture of
+the city a year ago last September. There were many items of importance
+which were not revealed to us. Shall I continue? I have an abundance of
+facts to disclose to you, if you give me leave."
+
+So favorable had been the impression produced by the speech of Anderson
+that Stephen felt apprehensive lest his own criticism and contradiction
+would not be accepted as true. And so he paused to learn if possible the
+nature of his reception.
+
+"Yes!... We want to hear them!... Tell us more!..."
+
+There was a wild outburst of approval, followed by a generous
+handclapping. In the confusion, Stephen observed Anderson together with
+Colonel Clifton leave their places on the platform and take seats on the
+side of the room.
+
+"It is quite true that we have no quarrel with the English people. We
+have no quarrel with their king or the framers of their laws. It is
+equally true that the governments of Great Britain and the United
+Colonies have become involved in a military struggle, a struggle to the
+death; nevertheless we would be the last to imply that there exists any
+essential antagonism of interests or purposes between the two peoples.
+We are not engaged in a contest between Englishmen and Americans, but
+between two antagonistic principles of government, each of which has its
+advocates and its opponents among us who sit here, among those who live
+with us in our own country, among those who reside in far-off England.
+The contest is a political contest, the ancient contest between the Whig
+and the Tory principles of government, the contest of Chatham and North,
+and Richmond, Rockingham and Burke transferred to this side of the
+Atlantic. The political liberty to which we have dedicated ourselves is
+no product of our imaginations; our forefathers of the seventeenth
+century brought it to our shores and now we naturally refuse to
+surrender it. It is the principle for which we are contending,--the
+principles that these United Colonies are and of a right ought to be
+free and independent states; and in all matters else we are loyal foster
+children of His Majesty the King, as loyal and as interested a people in
+the welfare of the mother country as the most devoted subject of the
+crown residing in the city of London.
+
+"War was inevitable. This has been known for some time; but there has
+been no lack of cordiality between the people of the United Kingdom and
+the people of the United Colonies. We are opposed to certain principles
+of statecraft, to the principle of taxation without representation, to
+the same degree as are the Whigs of our mother country. We cherish the
+warmest sentiments of love and admiration for the English people and we
+are ready to become their brothers in arms at any future date for the
+defense of those very ideals which we are now trying to establish,--the
+blessings of democracy; but we abominate autocracy and will have none of
+it. In this regard we may be said to have disinfected our anger, but
+never to have diluted it."
+
+The Tory element moved about in their seats, and Stephen suspected for a
+moment that he was being treated with an air of disdain. He shifted his
+point of view suddenly.
+
+"To say that the Catholic people of this country are dissatisfied with
+the conduct of the war is begging the question, and brands them with a
+stigma which they wholly undeserve. We admit for the sake of argument
+that our early cousins may have proved themselves somewhat intolerant,
+and, perhaps, rendered conditions of life disagreeable to us; still gold
+must be tried by the fire. We grow vigorous under storms of persecution.
+And while it is true that the American Congress of 1774 protested
+against the legislature of Great Britain establishing a 'religion
+fraught with impious tenets,' yet it is equally true that the Congress
+of 1776 resolved to protect 'all foreigners in the free exercise of
+their respective religions.' The past has been buried by this; the
+future lies before us.
+
+"We do not grieve on that account. Rather are we proud of our adhesion
+to the cause of independence, and you, yourselves, are no less proud of
+your own efforts in this regard. The Commander-in-chief is warmly
+disposed towards the Catholic element, not alone in the army, but among
+the citizenry. His own bodyguard is composed of men, more than thirty of
+whom bear Catholic names. One of his aides, Colonel Fitzgerald, is a
+Catholic. His Captain and Commander of the Navy, nominated and appointed
+by himself, is a Catholic, John Barry. We are appreciative of the
+services of our General, and we are ready to render ourselves worthy of
+the esteem and the respect in which we are held by him, as was evidenced
+by his abolition of the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day, so detestable to
+us.
+
+"I repeat this to impress upon you that this is not the time for
+religious controversy or for nicely calculating the scope and the extent
+of our service. The temper of the times requires unity of action and
+definition of purpose. Our people respect us. Whatever restrictions were
+lodged against us in the past have been broken down now before the
+battering ram of public opinion. The guarantees for the future given by
+our own brethren, that we shall be permitted the free and unrestricted
+exercise of our religious observances as well as the right to worship
+God according to the dictates of our own consciences, are of more
+endurable texture than the flimsy promises of the enemy. Our noble and
+generous ally, France, already has procured for us that respect and
+recognition so indispensable to our safety and, contrary to the opinion
+already expressed here tonight, has sent us six thousand men, the first
+installment of an army of at least twelve thousand trained soldiers,
+destined to be put directly under General Washington's command. Together
+with these she has already furnished Congress with large sums of money
+to enable us to carry on the war. The dawn of a brighter day is now
+breaking over the horizon and in the east the sun of justice and of
+toleration and of liberty may be seen breaking through the low-hung
+clouds of oppression, prejudice and tyranny which have so long obscured
+it. In our history there has been no coward, no Tory, no traitor of our
+faith. We are still Loyalists; but of different type. That precious and
+historic document of July 4, 1776, definitely and for all time absolved
+us from all allegiance to the British Crown. By nature, then, we have
+become citizens of a new government, a government instituted by and
+subject to the peoples of these free and independent states. Henceforth,
+Loyalty assumes a newer and most lasting significance;--it has suddenly
+become for us synonymous with the best and dearest interests of our
+country."
+
+He paused.
+
+
+II
+
+The sigh throughout the room was distinctly audible as he ended his
+paragraph with a rhetorical pause. He caught the sound on the instant
+and understood its meaning as the orator, holding his audience in
+breathless intensity, allows them to drop suddenly that he may
+appreciate his control of their feelings. Their pent-up energies give
+way to an abrupt relaxation followed by a slight scuffling of the body
+or an intermittent cough. From these unconscious indications, Stephen
+knew that he had held their interest and he did not intend that they
+should be allowed to compose themselves quite, until he had finished. He
+began at once on the evidence of the plot.
+
+"The members of this proposed company before whom I have the privilege
+of speaking, have been the victims of a gigantic plot, a plot that found
+its origin in the headquarters of the British army at New York City. It
+was to advance the plan that John Anderson came to Philadelphia. He had
+carried on communication with the enemy almost without interruption.
+Because the work of recruiting in the city of the enemy was a failure,
+it was decreed that the city of Philadelphia, as the most Tory of the
+American cities, be called upon for the requisite number. Of the
+progress here, you already know. Of the multifarious means employed, you
+yourselves can bear excellent witness. Of the ultimate success of the
+venture you are now about to decide.
+
+"The Military Governor, General Arnold, was early initiated into the
+scheme. For a long time he has borne a fierce grudge against Congress,
+and he hoped that the several Catholic members of the body might be
+induced to forsake the American cause. They sought Father Farmer, our
+good pastor, as chaplain of the regiment, but he refused with mingled
+delicacy and tact. Indeed, were it not for the hostile state of the
+public mind, a campaign of violence would have been resorted to; but
+Arnold felt the pulse of dislike throbbing in the heart of the community
+and very wisely refrained from increasing its fervor. All possible aid
+was furnished by him, however, in a secret manner. His counsel was
+generously given. Many of your names were supplied by him together with
+an estimate of your financial standing, your worth in the community,
+your political tendencies, the strength of your religious convictions.
+And what a comparatively simple matter it was for one thus equipped to
+accomplish so marvelous and so satisfactory results!
+
+"I repeat, then, General Arnold is strongly prejudiced against us. It is
+an open secret that Catholic soldiers have fared ill at his hands.
+Tories and Jews compose his retinue, but no Catholics. I am not critical
+in this respect for I observe that he is enjoying but a personal
+privilege. But I allude to this fact at this moment to assure you that
+this scheme of forming a regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers is
+directed solely to subvert the good relations already existing between
+us and our brethren in arms. The promises made bore no hope of
+fulfillment. The guarantees of immunity deserve no consideration. The
+Quebec Act, and for this I might say in passing that we are duly
+grateful, was never to be extended. In view of these observations, I ask
+you: are you willing to continue with this nefarious business? Are you?"
+
+"No!" was the interruption. The outburst was riotous. "Arrest the
+traitor!... I move we adjourn!..."
+
+Stephen held out his hands in supplication to beseech them to hear him
+further.
+
+"Please, gentlemen! Just one more word," he pleaded.
+
+They stood still and listened.
+
+"Has it occurred to you, let me ask, that the vessel which has been
+engaged to transport you to the city of New York is named the _Isis_, a
+sloop well known to sea-faring men of this city? She is owned by
+Philadelphia citizens and manned by a local crew. Does not this strike
+you as remarkably strange and significant,--that a vessel of this
+character should clear this port and enter the port of the enemy without
+flying the enemy's flag? Think of it, gentlemen! An American vessel with
+an American crew employed by the enemy, and chartered to aid and abet
+the enemy's cause!"
+
+They resumed their seats to give their undivided attention to this new
+topic of interest. Some sat alert, only partly on the chair; some sat
+forward with their chins resting in the palms of their hands. So
+absorbed were all in astonishment and amazement, that no other thought
+gave them any concern save that of the vessel. The side door had opened
+and closed, yet no one seemed to notice the occurrence. Even Stephen had
+failed to observe it.
+
+"As a matter of fact," he continued, "the ship has not been chartered by
+the enemy. She is about to clear this port and enter the port of the
+enemy by virtue of a pass issued through General Arnold.... Please, just
+a moment, until I conclude," he exclaimed, holding out his hand with a
+restraining gesture. "This matter has heretofore been a close secret,
+but it is necessary now that the truth should be known. To issue a pass
+for such an errand is a violation of the American Articles of War and
+for this offense I now formally charge Major-General Benedict Arnold
+with treason."
+
+"The traitor!... Court-martial him!..." shouted several voices.
+
+"I charge him with being unfaithful to his trust. He had made use of our
+wagons to transport the property of the enemy at a time when the lines
+of communication of the enemy were no farther distant than Egg Harbor.
+He has allowed many of our people to enter and leave the lines of the
+enemy. He has illegally concerned himself over the profits of a
+privateer. He has imposed, or at any rate has given his sanction to the
+imposition of menial offices upon the sons of freedom who are now
+serving in the militia, as was the case with young Matlack, which you
+will remember. And he has of late improperly granted a pass for a vessel
+to clear for the port of the enemy. I desire to make these charges
+publicly in order that you may know that my criticisms are not without
+foundation. I have in view your welfare alone."
+
+"Aye!... We believe you!... Let us adjourn!"
+
+"Let me ask Mr. Anderson one or two questions. If they can be answered
+to your satisfaction we shall accept his overtures. On the other hand
+let us dispense once and for all with this nefarious business and
+frustrate this insidious conspiracy so that we may renew our energies
+for the task before us which alone matters--the task of overcoming the
+enemy.
+
+"First! Who has financed the organization, equipment, transportation of
+this regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers?
+
+"Second: From what source or sources originated the various methods of
+blackmail?
+
+"Third: Who first suggested the coöperation of General Arnold?
+
+"Fourth: What pressure was brought to bear in the obtaining of the
+passport for the vessel to clear port?"
+
+
+III
+
+But there was no Anderson to give answer. It was found that he, together
+with Colonel Clifton and several members of the party, had disappeared
+from the room. No one had remembered seeing them take their departure,
+yet it was observed that they had left the platform in the course of
+Stephen's speech to take seats on the further side of the hall, near to
+the door. This might have opened and closed several times during
+Stephen's speech, and, more especially, at the time when they had
+crowded the aisles near the close of the address, and little or no
+attention would have been paid to it. Very likely Anderson had taken
+advantage of such an opportunity to make an escape.
+
+It was a very different room now. What had been a state of remarkable
+quiet with every man in his seat, with the conversation hardly above the
+tone of a whisper, with the uniform tranquillity disturbed solely by the
+remarks of the two speakers, was now giving way to a precipitous uproar
+which approached a riot. Men surged about one another and about Stephen
+in an endeavor to learn the details of the plot. Groups separated
+themselves from other equally detached groups, all absorbed, however, in
+the same topic. Voices, formerly hushed, now became vociferous. The
+walls reverberated with the tumultuous confusion.
+
+"What dupes!" one was remarking to his neighbor. "How easily were we led
+by his smooth talk!"
+
+"We were misguided in our motives of allegiance. We might have sensed a
+trick of the enemy," was the reply.
+
+"Let us win the war, first," shouted a third.
+
+"Aye! Freedom first; then religious liberty."
+
+"Who is he?" another asked. "It cannot be Cadwalader."
+
+"No," answered the neighbor. "This was prearranged. He borrowed
+Cadwalader's card to come here."
+
+"I always told you Arnold was no good," sounded a great voice. "He'd
+sell us to the devil if he could get paid for it. I suppose he'll go to
+New York sure."
+
+"Let him. Wish he was out of here."
+
+"Say!" one asked Stephen rather abruptly. "How did you get all this
+straight?"
+
+"I interested myself the moment the scheme took root. I assured myself
+that all was not as it should be and I took pains to verify my
+suspicions," was the grave reply.
+
+"I know, but how did ye get 'em?"
+
+"By following every move this Anderson made. I tracked him even to Mount
+Pleasant."
+
+"And got beforehand with Arnold?"
+
+"I overheard the major portion of the conversation."
+
+"Pardon me," asked another individual, neater in appearance than the
+majority, and evidently of more education, "but have I not seen you
+before?"
+
+"Perhaps you have," laughed Stephen.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"I could not begin to imagine."
+
+"Where do you live? In town?"
+
+"For the present, yes."
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"Can't you see? Just one of you?"
+
+"Never saw you in those clothes before. If I am not greatly mistaken you
+are the one who came to the Coffee House one day with Matt. Allison."
+
+"Yes," admitted Stephen, "I am the same."
+
+"How did you come by those clothes?"
+
+"Borrowed them."
+
+"In disguise, eh?"
+
+"It was necessary to simulate a disguise. Otherwise I could never have
+gained admission here. I learned that Jim Cadwalader had been impressed
+into the company and I arranged to come in his place."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"You took a mighty big risk."
+
+"It was required. But I knew that there was but one way of playing this
+game and that was to defeat them openly by their own tactics. I had to
+depend, of course, upon the temper of the proposed members. All might be
+lost or won at one throw of the dice. I worded my remarks to that
+effect, and I won."
+
+"What did you say your name was?"
+
+"I did not say what it was," Stephen exchanged in good-natured repartee,
+"but since you ask, it is Meagher."
+
+"Captain Meagher?"
+
+Stephen smiled.
+
+
+It must have been fully half-past nine when the meeting broke up; and
+that was at the departure of Stephen. He had lingered long enough to
+assure himself that the company was of a mind far different from that
+which had engaged them upon their arrival. They were now to go forth
+wiser men. But they knew that the people of the city could be moved
+quickly to indignation--as quickly, indeed, as they could be moved to
+favor. And how were they to explain their conduct? They resolved to lay
+the story with all its details before the very table of public opinion
+and allow that tribunal to discriminate between the shades of guilt.
+
+Anderson, of course, had fled. That in itself was a confession and a
+point in their favor. It was plain to their minds that they had been
+victimized by the clever machinations of this man. If there had been any
+lack of unity of opinion concerning the righteousness of the project
+before, there was no divided opinion now. They knew what they were about
+to do, and they made all possible haste to put their thought into
+execution.
+
+The ancient antipathy against the Military Governor was only intensified
+the more. Rumor would confirm the charges that would be published
+against him, of that they would take proper care. It was enough that
+they had been deluded by Anderson, but to be mere pawns in the hands of
+Arnold was more than they could stand. Too long had he been tolerated
+with his Tory wife and her manner of living, and now was an opportunity.
+Their path of duty was outlined before them.
+
+
+Thoroughly satisfied with his evening's work, Stephen turned down the
+street whistling softly to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+I
+
+"Come!" said Stephen in response to the soft knock upon his door panel.
+"Just a minute."
+
+He arose from his knees from the side of his bed. It was his custom to
+pray in this posture both morning and night; in the morning to thank his
+Lord for having brought him safely through the night and to offer Him
+all his prayers and works and sufferings of the day. At night to implore
+pardon for his shortcomings of the day and to commend himself into the
+hands of his Creator. This morning, however, the noise of heavy
+footsteps on the stairway had caused him to abbreviate somewhat his
+devotional exercise.
+
+"Come in!" he repeated as he slipped back the bolt and opened the door.
+"Oh! Good morning! You're out early. How are you?"
+
+He shook the hands of his early morning visitors warmly.
+
+"Fine morning!" replied Mr. Allison. "Sorry to have disturbed you, but
+Jim was around early and desired to see you."
+
+"Sure! No disturbance at all, I assure you. I was on the point of
+leaving for breakfast."
+
+"Go right ahead. Please don't delay on our account. We can wait. Go
+ahead," expostulated Mr. Allison.
+
+"We want'd t' be sure an' git ye, thet wuz all," remarked Jim. "Eat
+first. We'll be here when y' git back."
+
+"Sit down and make yourselves comfortable," and he arranged several
+chairs about the room. "I overslept, I fear. Last night taxed me."
+
+"You did justice to yourself and to us last night. The splendid result
+was your reward."
+
+They were seated, Jim by the window, Mr. Allison at Stephen's desk. The
+disorder of early morning was apparent in the room, the furniture
+disarranged and all manner of clothing, bed covering, wearing apparel,
+towels, piled or thrown carelessly about. No one seemed to mind it,
+however, for no one paused to rearrange it.
+
+"It wuz a big night. Tell us how did ye git along with 'em?" asked Jim.
+
+"Much better than I had anticipated," Stephen replied. "I thought that
+Anderson's talk had won them entirely, but when I asked for the floor, I
+saw at once that many were with me. Had you instructed them?" This
+question was directed towards Jim.
+
+"I did. I saw a doz'n at least. You know they had no use fur th' thing
+and were glad o' th' chance. I made a big secret out o' it, and they
+watch'd fur my ol' clothes."
+
+"I thought I felt their glances. They stuck true, you may be assured. I
+knew, too, that I possessed a reserve blow in the affair of the _Isis_.
+The mention of Arnold's name inflamed them."
+
+"I am sorry to have missed that," Mr. Allison said.
+
+"How did they avoid you?" Stephen asked.
+
+"I don't know. I was never approached although I had been acquainted
+with the rumors of the thing right along. I suppose they figured that I
+would threaten them with exposure. They knew where I stood; and then
+again they knew that they could threaten me with no debts. For some
+reason or other they thought best to avoid me."
+
+"I guess we killed it for good."
+
+"Kill'd it?" exclaimed Jim. "It's deader 'n a six-day corpse. An'
+there's great talk goin' on t'day on all th' corners. We're right wid
+th' peepul y' kin bet, and they thought best to avoid me."
+
+"Have you noticed any agitation?"
+
+"There has been a little disturbance," Mr. Allison admitted, "but no
+violence. It has been talk more than anything. Many are wondering who
+you are and how you obtained your information. Others are considerably
+taken back by the unveiling of Anderson. The greatest of respect is
+being shown to us on the street, and congratulations are being offered
+to us from all sides."
+
+"I am glad the sentiment has changed. It now looks like the dawn of a
+better day. We should be spurred on, however, to greater endeavor in the
+manifestation of our loyalty, especially among the minority Tory
+element."
+
+Outside, the street was beginning to feel the impulse of life. Over
+across, the buildings shone with the brightness of the morning sun which
+was reflected mildly from the glassy windows. There was a silent
+composure about it all, with no sound save the footfalls of the passing
+horse or the rattle of the business wagon. Somewhere across the street
+the man with the violin continued his fiddling.
+
+"Does that keep up all day?"
+
+"Almost! It is amusing to hear Griff swearing at him. The humorous part
+of it is that he plays but one tune, 'Yankee Doodle.'"
+
+"Can't ye steal it some night?" asked Jim, "an' bust it over 's head."
+
+"I don't care," laughed Stephen, "he doesn't bother me."
+
+The door opened and shut. Sergeant Griffin entered, saluted Stephen and
+took the hands of the visitors.
+
+"Well, what do you think of the boy?"
+
+"I alwa's said he wuz a good boy."
+
+"The fun hasn't begun yet," announced the Sergeant. "I have just learned
+that the City Council has met, and is about to issue formal charges
+against General Arnold."
+
+Stephen whistled.
+
+"They are glad of this opportunity," he announced quietly.
+
+"Reed never took kindly to him, not from the first day," declared Mr.
+Allison.
+
+"Well, if Reed gits after 'm he'll make the fur fly. He's a bad man when
+he gits goin'."
+
+"Did you say they had met?" Stephen inquired.
+
+"I understand they have. The affair of last night is being talked of
+freely on the street. And they are talking about you, most of all, and
+wonder if you had been sent by Washington to uncover this. One thing is
+certain: Arnold is in disgrace and the sooner he gets out of here the
+better it will be for him."
+
+"The General likes 'im and p'rhaps 'll give 'im a transf'r."
+
+"By the way!" interrupted Mr. Allison. "My girl wants to see you."
+
+"See me?" Stephen quickly repeated, pointing to himself.
+
+"She told me on leaving to tell you."
+
+"Very well. Is it urgent?"
+
+"No. I guess not. She didn't say it as if it were."
+
+"Tell her for me, I shall go as soon as I can."
+
+"What's th' next thin' t' do?" asked Jim.
+
+"Matters will take care of themselves for awhile," Stephen replied.
+"Anderson, I suppose, has left town together with Clifton and the
+others. If the City Council has met to publish charges against Arnold,
+there is nothing to do but await the result of these. The people, I
+presume, are of one mind now and if they are not they will soon be
+converted once the news of last night's affair has reached their ears."
+
+"Are you going to remain here?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"I am going to take some breakfast, first; then I shall busy myself with
+a report. I may be busy for several days away from the city. In the
+meantime I would advise that the whole affair be aired as much as
+possible. There is nothing like supplying the public mind with food.
+Meet me, Jim, at the Coffee House; or are you coming with me?"
+
+"Guess I'll go. This man wants t' eat."
+
+
+II
+
+The City Council did meet, as rumor announced to Sergeant Griffin, and
+immediately published charges against David Franks, the father of the
+aide-de-camp of the Military Governor, charging him with being in
+correspondence with his brother in London, who was holding the office of
+Commissary for British prisoners. He was ordered to be placed under
+immediate arrest. At the same time formal charges, partly of a military
+nature, partly of a civil, were preferred against the Military Governor.
+Copies of indictment were laid before Congress and before the Governors
+of the states, who were asked to communicate them to their respective
+legislatures.
+
+The press became wildly excited. Great headlines announced the startling
+news to the amazement of the country. For, it must be remembered,
+Philadelphia was the center of government and colonial life, and the
+eyes of the infant nation were turned continually in its direction.
+General Arnold's name soon became a subject for conversation on every
+side.
+
+None took the news more to heart than the General himself, as he sat in
+his great drawing-room with a copy of the evening news sheet before him.
+Being of an imaginative, impulsive nature it was natural for him to
+worry, but tonight there was the added feature of the revelation of his
+guilt. Reed had pursued him relentlessly, and the public announcement of
+his participation in the attempted formation of this detestable regiment
+only furnished the President of the Council with the opening he had so
+long desired. He re-read the charges preferred against him, his name
+across the front in big bold type. In substance they were as follows:
+
+First: That the Military Governor had issued a pass for a vessel
+employed by the enemy, to come into port without the knowledge of the
+State authorities or of the Commander-in-chief.
+
+Second: That upon taking possession of the city he had closed the shops
+and stores, preventing the public from purchasing, while at the same
+time, "as was believed," he had made considerable purchases for his own
+benefit.
+
+Third: That he imposed menial offices upon the militia when called into
+service.
+
+Fourth: That in a dispute over the capture of a prize brought in by a
+state privateer he had purchased the suit at a low and inadequate price.
+
+Fifth: That he had devoted the wagons of the state to transporting the
+private property of Tories.
+
+Sixth: That, contrary to law, he had given a pass to an unworthy person
+to go within the enemy's lines.
+
+Seventh: That the Council had been met with a disrespectful refusal when
+they asked him to explain the subject-matter of the Fifth charge.
+
+Eighth: That the patriotic authorities, both civil and military, were
+treated coldly and neglectfully, in a manner entirely different from his
+line of conduct towards the adherents of the king.
+
+A further account of the Council meeting was then given wherein it was
+stated that a motion had been made to suspend General Arnold from all
+command during the time the inquiry was being made into these
+accusations, but it had been voted down. Congress was asked, the story
+went on, to decide on the value of these charges and to refer them to
+the proper tribunal, the necessary amount of evidence being promised at
+the proper time.
+
+"The fools!" he muttered. "They think that these can hold water."
+
+He continued to read, and holding the paper at a distance from him,
+gazed at it.
+
+"What a shame! Every paper in the country will have this story before
+the week is out. I'm disgraced."
+
+He fell back in his chair with his head propped up by his elbow. In his
+other hand, thrown across the arm of the chair, was held the paper. His
+brows were contracted, his eyes closed, his face flushed in indication
+of the tumult that surged within him. His mind was engaged in a long
+process of thought which began with his memories of his early campaigns
+and traced themselves down to the events of the present moment. There
+was no decision, no constancy of resolution, no determination; just
+worry, and apprehension, and solicitude, and the loud, rapid beatings of
+his temple against his hand.
+
+"Suspend me! I'll forestall them, damn 'em. I'll resign first."
+
+He wondered where Anderson had gone or what fortune he had met with. The
+morning brought the first report of the disruption of the meeting and of
+the unknown person who had single-handed accomplished it. There must be
+a traitor somewhere, for no one save Anderson and himself had been
+initiated into the secret. Margaret knew, of course, but she could be
+trusted. Perhaps after all the man had escaped that night. Perhaps it
+was this very person who had created the furore at the meeting. Who was
+he? How did he get in? Why were proper steps not taken to safeguard the
+room against all possibilities of this nature? Bah! Anderson had bungled
+the thing from the start. He was a boy sent on a man's errand.
+
+The regiment was defunct. To speculate further on that subject would be
+futile. It never had existed, as far as he could see, except on paper,
+and there it remained, a mere potentiality. The single-handed disruption
+of it proved how utterly deprived it was of cohesion and organization.
+That one man, alone and in disguise, could have acquainted himself
+thoroughly with the whole proceeding, could have found his way with no
+attempt at interference into the meeting place, and with a few
+well-chosen words could have moved an entire audience to espouse the
+very contrary of their original purpose, indicated the stability and the
+temper of the assembly. To coerce men is a useless endeavor. Even the
+Almighty finds it well not to interfere with man's power of choice. They
+might be led or enticed or cajoled; but to force them, or intimidate
+them, or overwhelm them, is an idle and unavailing adventure.
+
+Anderson had failed miserably and his conspiracy had perished with him.
+Not a prominent Catholic had been reached in the first place; not a
+member of the poorest class would now leave the city. The affair with
+its awful disclosures only added strength to their position, for
+whatever aspersions might have been cast upon their loyalty in the event
+of the successful deportation of the company, were now turned like a
+boomerang against the very ones who had engineered the scheme. The
+community would respect the Catholics more for the future. They were to
+profit by his undoing. They would be valued for the test that their
+patriotism had stood.
+
+There was another consideration, however, which wore a graver complexion
+and tormented him beyond endurance. This was the solicitude for his own
+safety. The people had hated him for years and had proceeded to invent
+stories about him which might justify its anger. It had been a
+satisfaction for him to reflect that, for the most part, these stories
+had not been the causes, but rather the effects of public indignation.
+But what answer could he make now, what apology could he offer for this
+late transaction, this conspiracy at once so evident and palpable? As
+far as the question of his guilt was concerned there would be little
+conjecture about that. Ten or twenty accounts of the venture,
+inconsistent with one another and with themselves, would be circulated
+simultaneously. Of that he had no doubt. People would neither know nor
+care about the evidence. It was enough that he had been implicated.
+
+He would ask for a court-martial. That, of course. Through no other
+tribunal could a just and a satisfactory decision be reached, and it was
+paramount that another verdict besides that pronounced by public opinion
+be obtained. Unquestionably, he would be acquitted. His past service,
+his influence, his character would prove themselves determining factors
+during his trial. Fully one-half of the charges were ridiculous and
+would be thrown out of court as incontestable, and of the remainder only
+one would find him technically culpable. Still it were better for a
+court to decide upon these matters, and to that end he decided to
+request a general court-martial.
+
+
+III
+
+"You have removed your uniform?" Peggy asked in surprise as she beheld
+him entering the doorway of the drawing-room.
+
+"Yes," was the solemn reply. "I am no longer a confederate of France."
+
+He limped slowly across the room, leaning on his cane. He had laid aside
+his buff and blue uniform, with the epaulets and sword knots, and was
+clad in a suit of silken black. His hose and shoes were of the same
+color, against which his blouse, cuffs and periwig were emphasized, a
+pale white.
+
+"But you are still a Major-General," she corrected.
+
+"I was; but am no longer. I have resigned."
+
+She started at the announcement. Obviously she had not anticipated this
+move.
+
+"You have resigned? When?"
+
+"I wrote the letter a short time ago. I precluded their designs."
+
+He sat in his great chair, and, reaching for his stool, placed his foot
+upon it.
+
+"But ... I ... I don't understand."
+
+"I do perfectly. I shall be tried by court-martial, of course; they have
+moved already to suspend me pending the course of my trial. I want to
+anticipate any such possibility, that is all."
+
+"But you will be reinstated?"
+
+"I don't know,--nor care," he added.
+
+"And what about us, our home, our life here," she asked with a marked
+concern.
+
+"Oh! That will go on. This is your house, remember, if it comes to the
+worst; you are mistress here. This is your home."
+
+"If it comes to the worst? To what?"
+
+"Well, if I should be found guilty ... and ... sentenced."
+
+"I should not stay here a minute," she cried, stamping her foot. "Not
+one minute after the trial! In this town? With that element? Not for an
+hour!"
+
+"Well!" he exclaimed, making a gesture with both hands, together with a
+slight shrug of the shoulders.
+
+"Where is Anderson?" she asked quickly.
+
+"In New York, I presume, ere this. I have not seen him."
+
+"Fled?"
+
+"The only proper thing. It's a great wonder to me that he escaped at
+all. I should have expected him torn to pieces by that mob."
+
+"A bungled piece of business. I imagined that he was assured of success.
+A sorry spectacle to allow them to slip from his grasp so easily."
+
+"Margaret, you do not understand a mob. They are as fickle as a
+weather-cock. The least attraction sways them."
+
+"Who did it? Have you yet learned?"
+
+"No. A bedraggled loafer, gifted with more talk than occupation. He was
+acquainted with the whole scheme from beginning to end, and worked upon
+their feelings with evidences of treason. The sudden mention of my name
+in connection with the plot threw cold water on the whole business. They
+were on their feet in an instant."
+
+"You are quite popular," was the taunt.
+
+"Evidently. The pass inspired them. It would defeat any purpose, and
+Anderson must have sensed it and taken his hurried departure. No one has
+since heard or seen aught of him."
+
+"He was a fool to drag you into this, and you were as great a fool to
+allow it."
+
+"Margaret, don't chide me in that manner. I did what I thought best. But
+I'm through now with these cursed Catholics and with France."
+
+"You are a free man now," she murmured.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that this court-martial relieves you of any further obligation
+to the colonies," was the answer.
+
+"But I may still be Second in command."
+
+She paused to regard him. Did he continue to cherish ambitions of this
+nature; or was he attempting to jest with her?
+
+"You seem to forget Gates and the Congress," she said with manifest
+derision.
+
+"No. In spite of them."
+
+She lost all patience.
+
+"Listen! Don't flatter yourself any longer. Your cause is hopeless, as
+hopeless as the cause for which the stupid colonists are contending. You
+are now free to put an end to this strife. Go over to the enemy and
+persuade Washington and the leaders of the revolt to discuss terms."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"What is impossible? Simply announce your defection; accept the terms of
+His Majesty's government; and invite Adams, Franklin, Jefferson,
+Hamilton and Washington to meet you. There is the assurance of all save
+complete independence."
+
+"I shall wait."
+
+"For what? The court-martial will be against you from the start. Mark my
+words. You will be found guilty, if not actually, at least technically.
+They are determined upon revenge and they are going to have it. You saw
+the paper?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"You read the list of charges?"
+
+He did not answer. He had sunk into his chair and his hands were clasped
+before him. He was engaged in a detailed series of thought.
+
+"How many of them were artificial? Except for the first, that about the
+pass, none are worth the reading, and the first never can be proved.
+They have no evidence apart from the fanatical ravings of a drunken
+Catholic. But wait! You shall be adjudged guilty in the end. See if I am
+not correct."
+
+"I have the right to question the composition of the court!"
+
+"What matter! You know the people detest you. They have hated you from
+the moment you set foot in this city. Every issue of the paper found
+some new grievance against you. And when you married me the bomb was
+exploded. You yourself know that it was the mere fact of your
+participation in this scheme that quelled it. They loathe you, I tell
+you. They hate you."
+
+Silence reigned in the room as she finished. His eyes were closed and he
+gave every appearance of having fallen into a deep sleep. His mind was
+keenly alert, however, and digested every word she uttered. At length he
+arose from his composure and limped to the window at the further end of
+the room.
+
+"I shall ask for a new command," he said quietly, "and we shall be
+removed for all time from this accursed place. I shall do service
+again."
+
+"Better to await developments. Attend to your trial first. Plan for the
+future later."
+
+"I shall obey the wishes of the people."
+
+"The people! A motley collection of fools! They have eyes and ears but
+no more. They know everything and can do nothing."
+
+"I don't know what to do. I...."
+
+"I told you what to do," she interrupted his thought and finished it for
+him. "I told you to join Anderson. I told you to go to New York and make
+overtures to General Clinton. That's what you should do. Seek respect
+and power and honor for your old age."
+
+"That I shall not do. Washington loves me and my people will not desert
+me to my enemies. The court-martial is the thing."
+
+"As you say. But remember my prophecy."
+
+He turned and again sought his chair. She arose to assist him into it.
+
+"I wonder who that fellow could be! He knew it all."
+
+"Did you not hear?"
+
+"No. I have seen no one who could report to me. The details were
+missing."
+
+"Did you ever stop to think of the spy in the garden?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"That was the man, I am sure. You know his body has not been found, and
+if I am not mistaken, it was present at that meeting hall."
+
+"We shall learn of his identity. We shall learn."
+
+"Too late! Too late!"
+
+He again dozed off while she watched him. For several minutes they sat
+in this manner until she stole out of the room and left him alone. Soon
+he was wrapped in the arms of a gentle slumber. Some time later she
+aroused him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+I
+
+A fortnight later there came to the Allison home a messenger from
+Stephen in the person of Sergeant Griffin. He appeared at the doorway
+just as the shroud of eventide was being enfolded about the landscape,
+changing its hues of green and gray to the more somber ones of blue or
+purple; just at the time when the indoor view of things is about to be
+made apparent only by the artificial beams of the tallow and dip.
+
+"Hail!" he said; "I have business with Matthew Allison."
+
+"From Stephen?" Marjorie asked with evident interest.
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"The trial----"
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Marjorie. Plainly she was relieved at the nature of the
+message. Then she turned.
+
+"Father!" she called.
+
+"I am coming directly," cried Mr. Allison from the rear.
+
+She had clear forgotten to invite the sergeant into the room, so
+absorbed was she in the nature of the business at hand. Expectancy
+breeds cowardice. When great issues are at stake every act wears an
+awful meaning. For this reason she stood transfixed at the threshold,
+before this unexpected arrival, whom she associated with the image of
+Stephen. With the sudden and delightful lessening of her anxiety,
+however, she bethought herself.
+
+"Won't you come in? It was stupid of me not to have asked you before."
+
+The sergeant acted promptly. Marjorie followed at a little distance, but
+had no sooner entered the room herself than her father came through the
+other door.
+
+"What news? Arnold?"
+
+"Found guilty," was the response.
+
+"The court-martial has come to an end?" asked the girl.
+
+"Yes, Miss. And he has been found guilty," he repeated.
+
+"I thought so," muttered Mr. Allison.
+
+They were seated now in the parlor, the two men at opposite ends of the
+table, the girl at the side of the room.
+
+"They met at Morristown?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"Yes. At Norris' Tavern. Major-General Howe was chairman of the court.
+Only four charges were pressed for trial: the matter of the pass; the
+affair of the wagons; the shops; and the imposition upon the militia."
+
+"And Arnold?"
+
+"He managed his own trial, and conducted his own cross-examination. He
+made an imposing spectacle as he limped before the court. The sword
+knots of Washington were about his waist and he took pains to allude to
+them several times during the defense. It was astonishing to hear his
+remarkable flow of language and his display of knowledge of military
+law. He created a wonderful impression."
+
+"He was found guilty, you say?" interposed Mr. Allison.
+
+"Technically guilty of one charge and imprudent in another," was the
+deliberate reply.
+
+"And sentenced?"
+
+"To receive a reprimand from the Commander-in-chief."
+
+Mr. Allison assented by a move of his head.
+
+"How did he take it?" he then asked. "I cannot imagine his proud nature
+to yield readily to rebuke."
+
+The visitor thought for a moment.
+
+"His face was ashen pale; there was a haggard look upon it; the eyes
+were marked with deep circles and his step faltered as he turned on his
+heel and, without a word, made his way from the court room."
+
+"Were you present at the trial?" Marjorie inquired.
+
+"Yes, Miss Allison."
+
+"Was Stephen?"
+
+"No." The sergeant answered mildly, smiling as he did so.
+
+Marjorie smiled, too.
+
+"Tell me," Mr. Allison asked. "Was the evidence conclusive?"
+
+"The _Isis_ occupied the court to some length. It was contended that
+General Arnold had issued the pass with evil intent. The affair of the
+regiment was referred to in connection with this, but no great stress
+was brought to bear upon it because of the fear of arousing a possible
+prejudice in the minds of the court. That fact was introduced solely as
+a motive."
+
+Allison shook his head again.
+
+"It was proved," the sergeant continued, "that the _Isis_ was a
+Philadelphia schooner, manned by Philadelphia men, and engaged in the
+coastwise trade. The pass itself was introduced as an exhibit, to
+support the contention that the General, while Military Governor, had
+given military permission for the vessel to leave the harbor of
+Philadelphia for the port of New York, then in possession of the enemy."
+
+"That was proved?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Was the Regiment alluded to?"
+
+"Yes. But at no great length."
+
+"And the pass?"
+
+"It was there. The Regiment was the motive for the pass. The affair of
+the recruiting was scarcely mentioned."
+
+There was an abrupt silence.
+
+"What was the next charge?" Mr. Allison asked.
+
+"That of the wagons."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The prosecution made a strong point. Jesse Jordan was introduced.
+Testimony was given by him to the effect that he himself had drawn back
+a train of twelve wagons loaded with stores from Egg Harbor."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Egg Harbor. Where the traffic between the British Army and the Tories
+of the city was carried on."
+
+"Was this sustained?"
+
+"The General denied most of the accusation, but he was found imprudent
+in his actions. In regard to the other two charges, that of the shops
+and that of the militia, absolute acquittal was decided. The verdict was
+announced the following morning and the sentence was published
+immediately after adjournment."
+
+"He was sentenced to be reprimanded, you tell me?"
+
+"Yes. By General Washington."
+
+"That will break Arnold's heart. He will never endure it."
+
+"Others were obliged to endure it," sounded a soft voice.
+
+"Yes, I know," replied the father of the girl. "But you do not know
+General Arnold. Undoubtedly the city has the news."
+
+"Yes," said the sergeant. "I have told several. All know it ere this."
+
+
+II
+
+And what subject could possibly afford more of concern or consequence to
+the city folk than the court-martial of General Arnold! Those of the
+upper class, because of their intimate association with the man; those
+of the middle class, interested more or less in the great significance
+attached to the event itself and the influence it would exert upon the
+future; those of the lower class because of their supreme contempt for
+the erstwhile Military Governor and the biased manner of his
+administration, all, without exception, found themselves manifesting an
+uncommon interest in the progress and the issue of the trial.
+
+It was commonly known that General Arnold had requested a court-martial;
+but it was not so commonly understood that the matter of his guilt,
+especially his collusion with the Catholic Regiment and the matter of
+its transportation, was so intricate or profound. Stephen's speech at
+the meeting house had given the public the first inkling of the
+Governor's complicity in the affair; still this offense had been
+condoned by the many, as usually happens with the crimes of great men
+who occupy stations of honor, whose misdemeanors are often enshrouded
+and borne away into oblivion beneath the veil of expediency and interest
+of the common weal. A court-martial would indeed take place; but its
+verdict would be one of absolute acquittal.
+
+To hold court at some neutral post was just. No charge of unfairness
+could then be lodged. Nor could the personnel of the court be regarded
+as hostile to the accused, for the latter had already raised an
+objection to its composition which had been sustained and heeded. The
+charges were dealt with fairly, only four of the eight counts in the
+original indictment being allowed to come within the jurisdiction of a
+military tribunal. Even the General was permitted to conduct his own
+trial and every courtesy and attention was granted him.
+
+Only two charges bore any evidence of guilt. The pass was issued with
+deliberate intent. That was proved by the testimony of several witnesses
+as well as by the introduction of the pass itself. Arnold defended
+himself on the ground that there were no authorities in the city of New
+York to be offended by the entrance of the vessel, and also the fact
+that since the Commander-in-chief had lodged no complaint over the
+alleged offense to his dignity, it was logical to infer that His
+Excellency took no offense at the order. In regard to the charge of
+misuse of the government wagons, it was revealed that traffic had been
+carried on between Egg Harbor and the city of Philadelphia, and that
+full loads had been delivered to several private families of the city.
+Arnold denied any knowledge of the destination of these wagons, although
+he was aware that they were being used.
+
+His defense, it was learned, consisted of a long plea, in which he
+rehearsed in detail the leading events of his life. He was fond of
+alluding to his past and entertained no diffidence whatsoever in regard
+to his own abilities. He hoped thereby to impress the court and to
+intimidate them.
+
+The charges he denounced as false, malicious, and scandalous, inspired
+solely by motives of animosity and revenge. He was not accustomed to
+carry on a warfare with women, he told the court, nor did he ever bask
+in the sunshine of any one's favor. Honorable acquittal of all the
+charges brought against him was pleasantly expected by him and he looked
+forward to the day when he might share again with his fellow-soldiers
+the glory and the dangers of the war.
+
+But he was not acquitted, and the verdict of the court came no less as a
+surprise to the people of the city and of the nation than to the General
+himself. The following morning they met to pronounce the verdict and
+they found that on the first charge Major General Arnold had exceeded
+his rights in giving permission for a vessel to leave port without the
+knowledge of the City Authorities or of the Commander-in-chief; and as
+such he was found to have violated technically Article Five, Section
+Eighteen of the American Articles of War. The second and third charges
+were dismissed, but he was found to have been imprudent in his temporary
+use of the wagons. Because of his guilt on these two counts he was
+sentenced to receive a reprimand from His Excellency, the
+Commander-in-chief.
+
+He left the court room without a word.
+
+
+III
+
+"It is precisely what I fear most," Mr. Allison said. "If he curried
+less the favor of the public, little or naught would come of it, and the
+reprimand would end the case. But you know Arnold is a conceited man;
+one who carries his head high. Better to deprive him of life itself than
+to apply vinegar and gall to his parched lips."
+
+"His return will be hard," Sergeant Griffin observed. He, too, knew the
+character of the man.
+
+"I doubt if he will return. He has resigned, you know, and may dislike
+the sight of the city which witnessed his misfortune. Still this is his
+home and a man's heart is in his home regardless of its environment."
+
+"Do not forget Peggy," Marjorie reminded them. "I know she will never
+consent to live in the city. I know it. Dear me! The shame of it all
+would confuse her."
+
+"She might become accustomed to it," replied her father. "All school
+themselves to the mutations of life."
+
+"Not Peggy. I know her. She will not forgive. Why, I recall quite
+vividly the violence of her temper and the terror of her wrath. Her own
+aunt, with whom she was staying for a brief space, took occasion to
+reprove her for a slight indiscretion. Peggy resented the correction
+fiercely, and leaving the house at once vowed she never would set foot
+into it again. That was seven years ago. She has, to my knowledge, never
+violated that pledge."
+
+Her father shook his head.
+
+"I see it all quite clearly," continued Marjorie. "The General will
+resent the wrong; Peggy will nurture a fierce indignation. Whatever
+thoughts of revenge will come to his mind she will ably promote. Have a
+care to her; her wrath will know no mitigation."
+
+"He never expected the verdict," the sergeant remarked.
+
+"How did he appear?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"Splendid. As he entered the court he laughed and jested with several
+officers with all the self-possession of one of the eye-witnesses.
+Flashes of the old-time energy and courage were manifest at intervals.
+There was jubilation displayed on his every feature."
+
+"He was jocose, you say?"
+
+"Extremely so."
+
+"Was this before the trial?"
+
+"Yes. As he entered the Tavern."
+
+"Was Peggy with him?"
+
+"No, indeed. It was not permissible for her to enter. She awaited him
+outside."
+
+"And yet he maintained his composure throughout."
+
+"He seemed to take delight in relating the resolutions of Congress, its
+thanks, its gifts, for the many campaigns and the brilliant services
+rendered his country. His promotions, his horse, his sword, his epaulets
+and sword-knots, all were recounted and recited enthusiastically."
+
+Mr. Allison looked at Marjorie and smiled.
+
+"Only once did he lose his self-possession. Near the end of his plea he
+forgot himself and called his accusers a lot of 'women.' This produced a
+smile throughout the court room; then he regained his composure."
+
+He paused.
+
+"That was all?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"I think so. The court adjourned for the day. On the following morning
+the verdict was announced. I came here direct."
+
+When he had finished he sat quite still. It was approaching a late hour
+and he saw that he had overstayed his leave. Still the gravity of the
+occasion required it.
+
+It was these thoughts regarding the future, far more than any great
+poignancy of grief respecting General Arnold and his present misfortune,
+that affected this small group. It seemed to them that the events which
+had of late happened were not without grave and serious consequence.
+General Arnold was a man of prominence and renown. To lead such a figure
+to the bar of justice and to examine and determine there in a definite
+manner his guilt before the whole world was a solemn piece of business.
+It meant that the new republic was fearless in its denunciation of
+wrong; that it was intent upon the exercise of those precepts of justice
+and equity which were written into the bill of rights, the violation of
+which by a foreign power had constituted originally a set of true
+grievances; and that it was actuated by a solemn resolution never to
+permit within its own borders the commission of any of those wrongs
+which it had staked its life and consecrated its purpose as a nation to
+destroy. General Arnold was a big man, generous in service to his
+country, honored as one of its foremost sons, but he was no bigger than
+the institution he was helping to rear. The chastisement inflicted upon
+him was a reflection upon the state; but it also was a medication for
+its own internal disorders.
+
+The fact that the ruling powers of the city were bitterly opposed to the
+Military Governor was not wholly indicative of the pulse of the people.
+General Arnold was ever regarded with the highest esteem by the members
+of the army. A successful leader, a brave soldier, a genial comrade, he
+was easily the most beloved general after General Washington. With the
+citizen body of Philadelphia he was on fairly good terms,--popular
+during the early days of his administration, although somewhat offensive
+of late because of his indiscretion and impetuosity. Still he was not
+without his following, and whereas he had made himself odious to a great
+number of people by his manner of life and of command, there were a
+greater number of people who were ready to condone his faults out of
+regard for his brilliant services in the past.
+
+His enemies gloated over his misfortune. Everybody believed that, and it
+was commonly understood that General Arnold believed it, too. But would
+he overcome his enemies by retrieving the past and put to shame their
+vulgar enthusiasm by rising to heights of newer and greater glory? Or
+would he yield to the more natural propensities of retaliation or
+despair? A man is no greater than the least of his virtues; but he who
+has acquired self-control has founded a virtuous inheritance.
+
+With thoughts of this nature were the trio occupied. For several minutes
+no one spoke. Mr. Allison leaned against the table, his right arm
+extended along its side, playing with a bodkin that lay within reach;
+the sergeant sat in silence, watching the face of his entertainer; while
+Marjorie lolled in her great chair, her eyes downcast, heavy, like two
+great weights. At length Sergeant Griffin made as if to go. Marjorie
+arose at once to bid him adieu.
+
+"You said you came direct?" she reminded him.
+
+"Yes, Miss Allison."
+
+"You saw----" she hesitated, but quickly added, "Captain Meagher?"
+
+She would have said "Stephen" but bethought herself.
+
+"No, Miss. Not since the trial."
+
+"He was not present?"
+
+"No. He is with His Excellency. Several days ago I saw him and he bade
+me come here with the report of the finding."
+
+"That was all?"
+
+"Yes, Miss."
+
+"Thank you. We can never repay your kindness."
+
+"Its performance was my greatest delight."
+
+"Thank you. Good night!"
+
+She withdrew into the hall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+I
+
+More sin is attributed to the ruling passion of a man than to the
+forbidden pleasures of the world, or the violent assaults of the Evil
+One. Under its domination and tyranny the soul suffers shipwreck and
+destruction on the rocks of despair and final impenitence. It frequently
+lies buried beneath the most imperturbable countenance, manifesting
+itself only at times, often on the occasion of some unusual joy or
+sadness. It responds to one antidote; but the antidote requires a man of
+coarse fiber for its self-administration.
+
+In this respect General Arnold was not a strong man. If he had acted
+upon himself wholly from without, as if he were not himself, and had
+cultivated a spirit of humility and abnegation of self, together with a
+considerateness and softness of manner towards those at whose hands he
+had suffered, he would have stifled his pangs of wounded pride and
+self-love, and emerged a victor over himself in the contest. He might
+have recognized his own imperfections to a tolerable degree which would
+have disinclined him to censoriousness, not to say rashness. By
+maintaining an evenness of temper and equality of spirits during the
+days of his sore affliction, he might have reconsidered his decisions of
+haste and ultimate disaster, and be led to the achievement of newer and
+nobler triumphs.
+
+But he did not. Instead he gave way at once to a violence of anger which
+was insurmountable. There was engendered within him feelings of revenge
+of the most acrid nature. His self-love had been humiliated and crushed
+before the eyes of a garrulous world. His vanity and his prestige had
+been ground in the dust. There was no consideration save the
+determination for an immediate and effectual revenge.
+
+"Don't worry, my dear," Peggy had whispered to him on the way home. "Try
+not to think of it."
+
+"Think of it?... God! I'll show them. They'll pay for this."
+
+Apart from that he had not spoken to her during the entire journey.
+Morose, sullen, brutal, he had nursed his anger until his countenance
+fairly burned from the tension within. He slammed the door with
+violence; he tore the epaulets from his shoulders and threw them beyond
+the bed; he ripped his coat and kicked it across the floor. No! He would
+not eat. He wanted to be alone. Alone with himself, alone with his
+wrath, alone with his designs for revenge.
+
+"The cowards! And I trusted them."
+
+He could not understand his guilt. There was no guilt, only the
+insatiable lust on the part of his enemies for vengeance. The execution
+came first, then the trial. There was no accusation; he had been
+condemned from the start. The public, at whose hands he had long
+suffered, who reviled and oppressed him with equal vehemence, who had
+elevated him to the topmost niche of glory, and as promptly crumbled the
+column beneath his feet and allowed him to crash to the ground, now
+gloated over their ruined and heartbroken victim with outrageous
+jubilation. They were on destruction bent, and he the victim of their
+stupid spite.
+
+If he could not understand his culpability, neither could he apprehend
+fully and vividly the meaning of his sentence. To be reprimanded by the
+Commander-in-chief! Better to be found guilty by the court and inflicted
+with the usual military discipline. His great sense of pride could not,
+would not suffer him to be thus humiliated at the hands of him from whom
+he had previously been rewarded with so many favors, and in whom he had
+lodged his most complete esteem and veneration. He could not endure it,
+that was all; and what was more he would not.
+
+He decided to leave the city forever. Then the howl of contumely could
+not pursue him; it would grow faint with the distance. He was no longer
+Military Governor, and never would he reassume that thankless burden. He
+would retire to private life far removed from the savage envy of these
+aspiring charlatans. Unhappy memories and wretched degradation would
+close his unhappy days and shroud his name with an unmerited and unjust
+obloquy.
+
+His wife had been correct in her prognostications. The court, like the
+public mind, which it only feebly reflected, had been prejudiced against
+him from the start. The disgust which he entertained of the French
+Alliance was only intensified the more by the recent proceedings of
+Congress, and perhaps he might listen more attentively now to her
+persuasions to go over to the British side. He would be indemnified, of
+course; but it was revenge he was seeking, on which account he would not
+become an ordinary deserter. He had been accustomed to playing heroic
+rôles, and he would not become a mere villain now at this important
+juncture. This blundering Congress would be overwhelmed by the part he
+would play in his new career, and he would carry back in triumph his
+country to its old allegiance.
+
+Gradually his anger resolved itself into vindictive machination, which
+grew in intensity as it occupied him the more. He might obtain the
+command of the right wing of the American army, and at one stroke
+accomplish what George Monk had achieved for Charles the Second. It was
+not so heinous a crime to change sides in a civil war, and history has
+been known to reward the memory of those who performed such daring and
+desperate exploits. His country will have benefited by his signal
+effort, and his enemies routed at the same time in the shame of their
+own confusion. He would open negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton over an
+assumed name to test the value of his proposals.
+
+"They'll pay me before I am through. I shall endure in history, with the
+Dukes of Albemarle and Marlborough."
+
+As he mused over the condition of affairs and the possibilities of the
+situation, he wandered into the great room, where he saw two letters
+lying on the center table. Picking them up, he saw that one was
+addressed to Mrs. Arnold, the other to himself. He tore open his letter
+and read the signature. It bore the name of John Anderson.
+
+
+II
+
+The writer went on to say that he had arrived in safety in the city of
+New York, after a hurried and forced departure from Philadelphia. The
+meeting was terminated in a tumult because of the deliberate and
+fortunate appeal of an awkward mountebank, who was possessed with a fund
+of information which was fed to the crowd both skillfully and
+methodically; and by the successful coupling of the name of General
+Arnold with the proposed plot, had overwhelmed the minds of the assembly
+completely.
+
+He revealed the fact that the members of the court had already bound
+themselves in honor to prefer charges against General Arnold in order
+that the powerful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania might be placated. He did
+not know the result of the trial, but predicted that there would be but
+one verdict and that utterly regardless of the evidence.
+
+"Hm!" muttered Arnold to himself.
+
+The British Government, he added, was already in communication with the
+American Generals, with the exception of Washington, and was desirous of
+opening correspondence with General Arnold. Every one knew that he was
+the bravest and the most deserving of the American leaders and should be
+the Second in Command of the rebel forces. The British knew, too, of the
+indignities which had been heaped upon him by an unappreciative and
+suspicious people, and they recommended that some heroic deed be
+performed by him in the hope of bringing this unnecessary and bloody
+contest to a close.
+
+Seven thousand pounds would be offered at once, together with an equal
+command, in the army of His Majesty, and with a peerage in the realm. In
+return he would be asked to exert his influence in favor of an amicable
+adjustment of the difficulties between the colonies and the mother
+country. General Clinton was ready to begin negotiations after the
+advice and under the conditions proposed by General Arnold, which might
+be interchanged by means of a correspondence maintained with a certain
+ambiguity.
+
+"Egad!" He set his lips; then he turned to the beginning of the
+paragraph. The offer was interesting.
+
+Anderson then went on to relate what already had been suggested to him
+during the night of their conversation in the park at his magnificent
+home, the exigencies of the country, the opportunity for a master stroke
+at the hands of a courageous man, who would unite His Majesty's people
+under a common banner, and who might command thereby the highest honors
+of life.
+
+He reminded him that it was possible to obtain a command of the right
+wing of the American Army, a post only commensurate with his ability,
+which command might be turned against the rebel forces in the hope that
+an immediate end might be made of the fratricidal war. There would be no
+humiliating peace terms. There would be no indemnities, no reprisals, no
+annexations nor disavowals. The principles for which the colonists
+contended would be granted, with the sole exception of complete
+independence. They would have their own Parliament; they would be
+responsible for their own laws, their own taxes, their own trade. It
+would be a consummation devoutly desired by both parties, and the
+highest reward and honor awaited the American General who bound himself
+to the effectual realization of these views.
+
+"Announce your defection, return to the royal cause, agree to the terms
+which His Majesty's peace commissioners will make, and earn the
+everlasting gratitude of your countrymen, like Monk and Churchill."
+
+So the letter concluded with the humble respects and obediences of John
+Anderson. Arnold did not fold it, but continued to stare at it for
+several minutes, as if trying to decide upon some definite course of
+action in regard to it. At length he arose and limped to the desk, and,
+drawing out from its small drawer several sheets of paper, began his
+reply.
+
+But he did not conclude it. Hearing footfalls in the hallway, he hastily
+folded the several papers, Anderson's letter included, and stuck them
+into his breast pocket. He sat motionless, with the pen poised in his
+hand, as Peggy entered.
+
+
+III
+
+"You here?" she asked.
+
+He did not reply, nor make any movement.
+
+"Another resignation? or applying for a new command?"
+
+He now turned full about and faced her.
+
+"No. I was just thinking."
+
+"Of what?"
+
+She stood before him, her arms akimbo.
+
+"Of many things. First of all we must leave here."
+
+"When?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Well then, where?"
+
+"To New York."
+
+"Do you mean it?"
+
+Now she sat down, pulling a chair near to him in order that she might
+converse the more readily.
+
+"I am thinking of writing for a new command in the army."
+
+He thought best not to tell her of his original purpose in writing, nor
+of the letter which he had received from Anderson. Whatever foul schemes
+he may have concocted, he did not desire to acquaint her with their full
+nature. Enough for her to know that he intended to defect without her
+being a party to the plot.
+
+"Did I interrupt you? Pardon me!" she made as if to go.
+
+"Stay. That can wait. You were right. They were against me."
+
+"I felt it all the time. You know yourself how they despise you."
+
+"But I never thought----"
+
+"What?" was the interruption. "You never thought? You did, but you were
+not man enough to realize it. Reed would stop at nothing, and if the
+colonists gain complete independence, the Catholic population will give
+you no peace. That you already know. You have persecuted them."
+
+"What are they? A bare twenty or twenty-five thousand out of a
+population of, let us say, three million."
+
+"No matter. They will grow strong after the war. Unfortunately they have
+stuck true to the cause."
+
+"Bah! I despise them. It is the others, the Congress, Lincoln, Gates,
+Lee, Wayne. They will acquire the honors. Washington will be king."
+
+"And you?"
+
+"I'm going to change my post."
+
+She smiled complacently, and folded her arms.
+
+"Under Washington?"
+
+She knew better, but she made no attempt to conceal her feigned
+simplicity.
+
+He looked at her without comment.
+
+Whether he shrunk from unfolding to her the sickening details of his
+despicable plan, or whether he judged it sufficient for her to know only
+the foul beginnings of his treason without being initiated into its
+wretched consummation; whether it was due to any of these reasons or
+simply to plain indifference or perhaps to both, he became unusually
+silent on this subject from this moment onward. It was enough for her to
+realize that he had been shabbily treated by the Congress and by the
+people, that he had long considered the American cause hopeless and had
+abandoned his interest in it on account of the recent alliance with the
+government of France. In her eyes he thought it would be heroic for him
+to resign his command, and even to defect to the side of the enemy on
+these grounds,--on the strength of steadfastly adhering to his ancient
+principles. He knew well that she had counseled such a step and was
+enthusiastic in urging its completion, nevertheless he sensed that the
+enormity and the depravity of his base design was too revolting, too
+shocking, for even her ears. He would not even acquaint her with
+Anderson's letter nor with the purpose he had of concurring with the
+proposition it contained.
+
+"Did you receive a letter from Anderson?" she asked suddenly.
+
+"Yes. He wrote to inform me that he had escaped in safety and is now in
+New York."
+
+"No more?"
+
+"No. He did comment on the frustration of the plot, and expressed a
+desire to learn the identity of the disturber."
+
+"You will tell him?"
+
+"Later. Not now."
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"Do you intend to take active part in the coming campaigns? You know
+your leg will prevent you from leading a strenuous life in the field.
+Why not ask for some other post, or retire to private life? I want to
+get out of this city."
+
+"I am about to write for a new command. I have one friend left in the
+person of His Excellency, and he will not leave me 'naked to mine
+enemies,' as the great Wolsey once said."
+
+"But he is to reprimand you," she reminded him.
+
+"No matter. That is his duty. I blame the people and the court which was
+enslaved to them for my humiliation. They shall pay for it, however."
+
+"Let us leave together. Announce your desire of joining arms with the
+British and let us set out at once for New York. Mr. Anderson will take
+care of the details. You know his address?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You have fought the war alone; end it alone. Settle your claims with
+the government and let us sell our house."
+
+"Our house? This is yours, Margaret, and, by God, they shall not deprive
+you of it. No! We will not sell our house. This is yours for life, and
+our children's."
+
+"Well, we can rent it for the present. For, if you go, I am going, too."
+
+"Very well. We shall see what the future holds out for us. Give me that
+stool."
+
+He pointed to the small chair over against her. She arose at once and
+set it before him. He placed his foot upon it.
+
+"When I think of what I have done for them and then compare their
+gratitude. Congress must owe me at least six or seven thousand pounds,
+not to mention my life's blood which never can be replaced. I have been
+a fool, a fool who does not know his own mind."
+
+"Didn't I predict what the outcome would be? I felt this from the moment
+Anderson left. And what were you charged with? A technical violation of
+the code of war. There was no actual guilt nor any evidence in support
+of the charge. Were the least shadow of a fault in evidence, you may be
+assured that it would have been readily found. You were innocent of the
+charge. But you were technically guilty that they might plead excuse for
+their hate."
+
+"I know it, girl ... I know it ... I see it all now. I tried hard to
+disbelieve it." He seemed sad, as he muttered his reply and slowly shook
+his head.
+
+He was still for a moment and then sat suddenly upright.
+
+"But by the living God!" It was surprising how quickly he could pass
+from mood to mood. Now the old-time fire gleamed in his eyes. Now the
+unrestrained, impetuous, passionate General, the intrepid, fearless
+leader of Quebec, Ridgefield, Saratoga, revealed himself with all his
+old-time energy and determination of purpose.
+
+"By the living God!" he repeated with his hand high in the air, his fist
+clenched, "They shall pay me double for every humiliation, for every
+calumny, for every insult I have had to endure. They sought cause
+against me; they shall find it."
+
+"Hush! My dear," cautioned Peggy, "not so loud. The servants will
+overhear you."
+
+"The world shall overhear me before another month. Revenge knows no
+limit and is a sweet consolation to a brave man. I shall shame this
+profligate Congress, and overwhelm my enemies with no mean
+accomplishment, but with an achievement worthy of my dignity and power.
+They shall pay me. Ha! they shall; by God! They shall."
+
+Peggy arose at his violent outbreak, fearing lest she might antagonize
+him the more. It was useless to talk further, for he was enraged to a
+point beyond all endurance. She would leave him alone, hoping that he
+would recover his normal state again.
+
+She walked to the window as if to look out. Then she turned and vanished
+through the doorway into the hall.
+
+
+IV
+
+Several days later a courier rode up to the door and summoned General
+Arnold before him, into whose care he delivered a letter from the
+Headquarters of the Commander-in-chief. Strangely excited, the General
+failed to perceive the identity of the messenger as he saluted and made
+the usual brief inquiries. Only after the courier was well down the road
+did the memory of his strangely familiar face recur to him. But he was
+too preoccupied with the document to give him any more attention.
+Breaking the seal he scanned the introductory addresses and read his
+reprimand from his Commander-in-chief, a reprimand couched in the
+tenderest language, a duty performed with the rarest delicacy and tact.
+
+"Our profession is the chastest of all," it read. "Even the shadow of a
+fault tarnishes the luster of our finest achievements. The least
+inadvertence may rob us of the public favor so hard to be acquired. I
+reprimand you for having forgotten that, in proportion as you have
+rendered yourself formidable to our enemies, you should have been
+guarded and temperate in your deportment towards your fellow citizens.
+Exhibit anew those noble qualities which have placed you on the list of
+our most valued commanders. I myself will furnish you, as far as it may
+be in my power, with opportunities of regaining the esteem of your
+country."
+
+Slipping it again into its envelope, he slammed the door.
+
+
+
+
+PART THREE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+I
+
+In one of those wide indentations along the eastern shore of the
+Schuylkill River, there opens out in tranquil seclusion a spacious cove.
+The waters wander here to rest, it seems, before resuming their
+voluminous descent to the Delaware and the sea. Trees and saplings
+wrapped about with close-clinging vines hang far over the water's edge
+like so many silent sentinels on guard before the spot, their luxuriant
+foliage weighing their bending twigs almost to the surface. Green
+lily-pads and long ribboned water grass border the water's curve, and
+toss gently in the wind ripples as they glide inwards with just murmur
+enough to lull one to quiet and repose.
+
+Into this scene, placid, clear, though of a deep and dark green under
+the overhanging leaves, stole a small canoe with motion enough scarcely
+to ruffle the top of the water. A paddle noiselessly dipped into the
+undisturbed surface and as noiselessly emerged again, leaving behind
+only a series of miniature eddies where the waters had closed after
+their penetration. A small white hand, hanging lazily over the forward
+side of the tiny craft, played in the soft, limpid water, and made a
+furrow along the side of the boat that glistened like so many strings of
+sparkling jewels.
+
+"So you are going away again tomorrow?" Marjorie was saying as she
+continued to dabble in the water.
+
+She lay partly reclining in the bow of the canoe, her back supported by
+a pillow. A meditative silence enshrouded her as she lay listless,
+unconcerned to all appearances, as to her whereabouts or destination.
+The while she thought, the more steadily she gazed at the waters as she
+splashed them gently and playfully. Like a caress the silence of the
+place descended upon her, and brought home to her the full import of her
+loneliness.
+
+"In view of what you have disclosed to me, I think it only my duty,"
+Stephen replied as he lazily stroked the paddle.
+
+Again there was silence.
+
+"I wish you weren't going," she finally murmured.
+
+He looked straight at her, holding his arm motionless for the space of a
+moment.
+
+"It is good of you to say that," was the measured reply. "This has been
+a most delightful day, and I have enjoyed this glimpse of you very
+much."
+
+Raising her eyes she thanked him with a look.
+
+"You must remember that it has been due to no fault of mine that I have
+seen so little of you," he continued.
+
+"Nor mine," came back the whisper.
+
+"True," he said. "Events have moved so rapidly during the past month
+that I was enabled to keep abreast of them only with the greatest
+difficulty."
+
+"I daresay we all are proud of your achievement."
+
+"God has been good to us. I must thank you, too."
+
+"Me?" She grinned with contempt. "I am sure when the truth is known
+that I shall be found more an instrument of evil than of good."
+
+"I wish you would not say that."
+
+"I cannot say otherwise, for I know it to be true."
+
+"Do not depreciate your efforts. They have been invaluable to me.
+Remember, it was you who greatly confirmed my suspicions of Anderson. I
+did acquire some facts myself; but it was due to the information which
+you imparted to me that I was enabled to join together several ambiguous
+clews."
+
+"Really?"
+
+"And you must remember that it was through your coöperation that my
+attention was first drawn to General Arnold."
+
+"You suspected him before our conversation. You, yourself, heard it from
+his own lips in the garden."
+
+"Yes, I did. But the note!"
+
+"What note?"
+
+"The note you gave me to read."
+
+"Peggy's letter which I found at her house?"
+
+"The same. Have I never told you?"
+
+"Never!" was the slow response. "You know you returned it to me without
+comment."
+
+He was puzzled. For he wondered how he had failed to acquaint her with
+so important an item.
+
+"When you allowed me to take that letter you furnished me with my first
+clew."
+
+She aroused herself and looked seriously at him.
+
+"I?... Why.... I never read it. What did it contain? I had supposed it
+to be a personal letter."
+
+"And so it was,--apparently. It proved to be a letter from one of
+Peggy's New York friends."
+
+"A Mischienza friend, undoubtedly."
+
+"Yes, Captain Cathcart. But it contained more. There was a cipher
+message."
+
+"In cipher?" Then after a moment. "Did she know of it?"
+
+"I am inclined to think that she did. Otherwise it would not have been
+directed to her."
+
+This was news indeed. No longer did she recline against the seat of the
+canoe, but raised herself upright.
+
+"How did you ever discover it?"
+
+"My first reading of the note filled me with suspicion. Its tone was too
+impersonal. When I asked for it, I was impelled by the sole desire to
+study it the more carefully at my own leisure. That night I found
+certain markings over some of the letters. These I jotted down and
+rearranged until I had found the hidden message."
+
+She gazed at him in wonder.
+
+"It was directed to her, I presume, because of her friendship with the
+Military Governor; and carried the suggestion that His Excellency be
+interested in the proposed formation of the Regiment. From that moment
+my energies were directed to one sole end. I watched Arnold and those
+whom he was wont to entertain. Eventually the trail narrowed down to
+Peggy and Anderson."
+
+She drew a deep breath, but said nothing.
+
+"The night I played the spy in the park my theory was confirmed."
+
+"Yes, you told me of that incident. It was not far from here."
+
+She turned to search the distance behind her.
+
+"No. Just down the shore behind his great house." He pointed with his
+finger in the direction of Mount Pleasant.
+
+"And Peggy was a party to the conspiracy!" she exclaimed with an audible
+sigh.
+
+"She exercised her influence over Arnold from the start. She and
+Anderson were in perfect accord."
+
+"I am sorry. She has disappointed me greatly."
+
+"She has a very pretty manner and a most winsome expression; but she is
+extremely subtle and fully accomplished in all manner of artifice. She
+was far too clever for your frank simplicity."
+
+"I never suspected her for an instant."
+
+"It was she who set the trap for Arnold; it was she who made it possible
+for Anderson to rise to the heights of favor and influence; it was she
+who encouraged her husband in his misuse of authority; and I venture to
+say, it was she who rendered effective the degree of friendship which
+began to exist between yourself and this gentleman."
+
+Marjorie blushed at the irony.
+
+They were drifting above the cove in the slowest manner. Only
+occasionally did he dip the paddle into the water to change the course
+of the little craft, or to push it ahead a little into the more shaded
+places. Marjorie did not assist in this, for he desired her to sit in
+the bow facing him, while he, himself, essayed the task of paddler.
+There was little of exertion, however, for the two had no other object
+in view than the company of their own selves. And so they drifted
+aimlessly about the stream.
+
+"Yes, I think that I ought to leave tomorrow for White Plains to confer
+with His Excellency."
+
+"I should be the last to hinder you in the performance of duty. By all
+means, go."
+
+"Of course it may be no more than a suspicion, but if you are sure of
+what Anderson said, then I think that the matter should be brought to
+the attention of the Commander-in-chief."
+
+"Of course, you understand that Mr. Anderson told me nothing definite.
+But he did hint that General Arnold should be placed in command of a
+more responsible post in the American army; and that steps should be
+taken to have him promoted to the Second in Command."
+
+Stephen thought for a minute.
+
+"That sounds innocent enough. But you must remember that events have
+come to light in the past fortnight which for months had lain concealed
+in the minds of these two men. Who knows but what this was included in
+their nefarious scheme. I am uneasy about it all, and must see the
+chief."
+
+"But you will come back?"
+
+"At once unless prevented by a detail to a new field. I am subject at
+all times to the will of my leader."
+
+Her face fell.
+
+
+II
+
+The solemn stillness, the almost noiseless motion of the boat, the livid
+shades surrounding the place, all contributed to the mood of pensiveness
+and meditation which was rapidly stealing upon them. The very silence of
+the cove was infectious. Marjorie felt it almost immediately, and
+relaxed without a murmur.
+
+A stream of thoughts began to course in continuous procession through
+her mind, awakening there whatever latent images lay buried in her
+memory, and fashioning new ideas and seemingly possible situations from
+her experiences of the past year. Now she suddenly discovered her former
+interest quickened to a violent degree. She was living over again the
+memories of the happy hours of other days.
+
+Certainly Stephen was as constant as ever. To her discerning eye his
+manner of action conveyed no other impression. But he was the same
+enigma, however, as far as the communication of thought was concerned,
+and she knew no more of his pleasures and desires than she did of the
+inspirations of his soul.
+
+It was the first time in months she had seen and taken delight in his
+own old self. Never had he been so attentive quite as John Anderson, nor
+so profuse in his protestations, nor so ready with his apologies. And
+what was more she did not expect him to be. But he was more sincere when
+it came to a question of unfolding one's own convictions, more engaging
+where will-power, propriety, performance of duty, were concerned. He
+alone possessed the rule to which all, in her own mind, were obliged to
+conform. And so she was compelled to admire him.
+
+These fond memories suffered an interruption by a vision of the extreme
+disquietude produced upon Stephen by her unfortunate acquaintanceship
+with Mr. Anderson. And yet she had been profoundly sincere with herself.
+Never had she conveyed the impression to any man that she had given him
+a second sobering thought. Her home constituted for her a chief delight,
+her home, her devoted mother, her fond father. Peggy had been her sole
+companion previous to her marriage with the Governor; and whatever men
+she had met with were they who composed the gay assemblies at which her
+friend was the pretty hostess and she the invited guest. As far as
+Anderson was concerned, and Stephen, for that matter, she doubted if
+she had been in the company of either more than a dozen times in the
+course of her life. Certainly not enough to know either of them
+intimately.
+
+Of the two men who had effected the most complete entrée into her
+society, Stephen had, unquestionably, impressed her the more favorably.
+For a time he seemed too far removed from her; and she failed to
+experience that sense of proportion between them so necessary for mutual
+regard. Perhaps it was due to this negation, or perhaps it was owing to
+her modest reserve, or perhaps to both, that whatever familiar
+intercourse, sympathy or affinity ought to have existed was naturally
+excluded. True friendship requires a certain equality, or at least a
+feeling of proportion between those whom it would bind together. And
+this she felt had not prevailed.
+
+She did not pause to consider the correctness or the incorrectness of
+her inference. It was quite enough for her to know that this spirit of
+inequality existed. In his presence, however, she felt at perfect ease,
+wholly oblivious of everything save her own happiness, as she could now
+bear witness to, but alone with her thoughts the horrible imagining
+forced itself upon her and served to widen perceptibly the gulf between
+them. Reflection disconcerted her.
+
+Happily, her enterprise respecting Anderson and his nefarious scheme had
+terminated successfully. Happily, too, Stephen's misconstruction of the
+affair had been corrected. No longer would he doubt her. Their fortunes
+had approached the crisis. It came. Anderson had fled town; Arnold and
+Peggy were removed from their lives perhaps for ever. Stephen was with
+her now and she experienced a sense of happiness beyond all human
+estimation. She would she could read his mind to learn there his own
+feelings. Was he, too, conscious of the same delights? A reciprocal
+feeling was alone necessary to complete the measure of her joy. But he
+was as non-communicative as ever, totally absorbed in this terrible
+business that obsessed him. Her riddle, she feared, would remain
+unanswered. Patriotism, it seemed, was more pressing than love.
+
+
+The canoe had drifted nearer to the shore. At Stephen's suggestion she
+aroused herself from her lethargy and alighted on the bank. He soon
+followed, drawing the canoe on to the shore a little to prevent its
+wandering away. Marjorie walked through the grass, stooping to pick here
+and there a little flower which lay smiling at her feet. Stephen stood
+to one side and looked after her.
+
+
+III
+
+"Stephen," she asked, as she returned to him and stood for a moment
+smiling straight at him, "will you tell me something?"
+
+"Anything you ask," he assured her. "What do you wish to know?"
+
+But she did not inquire further. Her eyes were fixed in earnest
+attention upon the flowers which she began to arrange into a little
+bouquet.
+
+"Are you still vexed with me?"
+
+There! It was out. She looked at him coquettishly.
+
+"Marjorie!" he exclaimed. "What ever caused you to say that?"
+
+"I scarce know," she replied. "I suppose I just thought so, that was
+all."
+
+"Would I be here now?" He tried to assure her with a tone of sincerity.
+"One need not hear a man speak to learn his mind."
+
+"Yes. But I thought----"
+
+He seized hold of her hand.
+
+"Come," he said. "Won't you sit down while I tell you?"
+
+She accepted his offer and allowed herself to be assisted.
+
+"You thought that I was displeased with you on account of John
+Anderson," he remarked as he took his place by her side. "Am I correct?"
+
+She did not answer.
+
+"And you thought, perhaps, that I scorned you?"
+
+"Oh, no! Not that! I did not think that ... I ... I...."
+
+"Well, then, that I lost all interest in you?"
+
+She thought for a second. Then she smiled as if she dared not say what
+was in her mind.
+
+"Listen. I shall tell you. I did not reprove you with so much as a
+fault. I know well that it is next to impossible to be in the frequent
+presence of an individual without experiencing at some time some
+emotion. He becomes continually repugnant, or else exceedingly
+fascinating. The sentiments of the heart never stand still."
+
+"Yes, I know,--but...."
+
+"I did think that you had been fascinated. I concluded that you had been
+charmed by John Anderson's manner. Because I had no desire of losing
+your good will, I did ask you to avoid him, but at the same time, I did
+not feel free enough to cast aspersions upon his character and so
+change your good opinion of him. The outcome I never doubted, much as I
+was disturbed over the whole affair. I felt that eventually you would
+learn for yourself."
+
+"But why did you not believe in me? I tried to give you every assurance
+that I was loyal...."
+
+"The fault lay in my enforced absence from you, and in the nature of the
+circumstances which combined against you. I knew Anderson; but I was
+unaware of your own thought or purpose. My business led me on one
+occasion to your home where I found you ready to entertain him. The
+several other times in which I found you together caused me to think
+that you, too, had been impressed by him."
+
+Marjorie sat silent. She was pondering deeply the while he spoke and
+attempted to understand the emotions that had fought in his heart. She
+knew very well that he was sincere in his confession, and that she had
+been the victim of circumstances; still she thanked God that the truth
+had been revealed to him.
+
+"Sometimes I feel as if I had been simply a tool in his hands, and that
+I had been worsted in the encounter."
+
+"You have had no reason to think that. You perhaps unconsciously gave
+him some information concerning the members of our faith, their number,
+their lot, their ambitions,--but you must remember, too, that he had
+given some valuable information to you in return. The man may have been
+sincere with you from the beginning."
+
+"No! I think neither of us were sincere. The memory of it all is
+painful; and I regret exceedingly of having had to play the part of the
+coquette."
+
+A great silence stole upon them. He looked out over the river at the
+wavelets dancing gleefully in the sunlight, as they ran downstream with
+the current as if anxious to outstrip it to the sea. She grew tired of
+the little flowers and looked about to gather others. Presently she
+bethought herself and took from her bodice what appeared to be a golden
+locket. Stephen, attracted by her emotion, saw the trinket at once, its
+bright yellow frame glistening in the sun.
+
+"Have you ever seen this?" she asked as she looked at it intently.
+
+He extended his hand in anticipation. She gave it to him.
+
+"Beautiful!" he exclaimed. "How long have you had this?"
+
+"About a year," she replied nonchalantly, and clasped her hands about
+her knees.
+
+He leaned forward and continued to study it for the longest time. He
+held it near to him and then at arm's length. Then he looked at her.
+
+"It is beautiful," he repeated. "It is a wonderful likeness, and yet I
+should say that it does not half express the winsomeness of your
+countenance." He smiled generously at her blushes as he returned it to
+her.
+
+"It was given me by John Anderson," she declared.
+
+"It is a treasure. And it is richly set."
+
+"He painted it himself and brought it to me after that night at
+Peggy's."
+
+"I always said that he possessed extraordinary talents. I should keep
+that as a commemoration of your daring enterprise."
+
+"Never. I purpose to destroy all memory of him."
+
+"You have lost nothing, and have gained what books cannot unfold.
+Observation and experience are the prime educators."
+
+"But exceedingly severe."
+
+"Come," said Stephen. "Let us not allude to him again. It grieves you.
+He has passed from your life forever."
+
+"Forever!" she repeated.
+
+And as if by a mighty effort she drew back her arm and flung the
+miniature far from her in the direction of the river. On a sudden there
+was a splash, a gulp of the waters, and a little commotion as they
+hurriedly came together and folded over their prey.
+
+"Marjorie!" he shouted making an attempt to restrain her. It was too
+late.
+
+"What have you done?" he asked.
+
+She displayed her empty hands and laughed.
+
+"Forever!" she repeated, opening her arms with a telling gesture. "I
+never should have accepted it, but I was strangely fascinated by it, I
+suppose."
+
+For the moment neither spoke; he felt as if he could not speak; and she
+looked like a child, her cheeks aglow with the exertion, and her eyes
+alight with merriment. Stephen looked intently at her and as she
+perceived his look, a very curious change came across her face. He saw
+it at once, although he did not think of it until afterwards.
+
+"Marjorie," he said as he moved nearer to her and slipped his arm very
+gently about her. "You must have known for the longest time, from my
+actions, from my incessant attentions, from my words, the extent of my
+feeling for you. It were idle of me to attempt to give expression to it.
+It cannot be explained. It must be perceived; and you, undoubtedly, have
+perceived it."
+
+There was no response. She remained passive, her eyes on the ground,
+scarcely realizing what he was saying.
+
+"I think you know what I am going to say. I am very fond of you. But you
+must have felt more; some hidden voice must have whispered often to you
+that I love you."
+
+He drew her to him and raised both her hands to his lips.
+
+She remonstrated.
+
+"Stephen!" she said.
+
+He drew back sadly. She became silent, her head lowered, her eyes
+downcast, intent upon the hands in her lap. With her fingers she rubbed
+away the caress. She was thinking rapidly, yet her face betrayed no
+visible emotion, whether of joy, or surprise, or resentment. Only her
+cheek danced with a ray of sunshine, a stolen reflection from the joyous
+waves.
+
+"Marjorie," he said gently, "please forgive me. I meant no harm."
+
+She made a little movement as if to speak.
+
+"I had to tell you," he continued. "I thought you understood."
+
+She buried her face in her hands; her frame shook violently. Stephen was
+confused a little; for he thought that she had taken offense. He
+attempted to reassure her.
+
+"Marjorie. Please.... I give you my word I shall never mention this
+subject again. I am sorry, very sorry."
+
+She dried her eyes and looked at her handkerchief. Then she stood up.
+
+"Come, let us go," he said after he had assisted her.
+
+They walked together towards the boat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+I
+
+It has been said with more truth than poetic fancy that the descent to
+Avernus is easy. It may be said, too, with equal assurance, that once
+General Arnold had committed himself to treachery and perfidy, his story
+becomes sickening, and in the judgment of his countrymen, devoid of no
+element of horror whether in its foul beginnings or in its wretched end.
+Once his mind had been definitely committed to the treacherous purpose,
+which loomed like a beacon light before him in the shaping of his
+destiny, his descent to the depths of degradation was rapid and fatal.
+The court-martial, together with its subsequent reprimand, had been
+accepted by him with the greatest animosity. From that hour his thirst
+for vengeance knew no restraint. One thing alone was necessary to his
+evil plans: he must secure an important command in the Continental Army.
+
+Some time before he had asked for a change of post, or at least for a
+grant of land with permission to retire to private life, but this was
+under the inspiration of a motive of an entirely different nature. Now
+he had specifically asked for a command in the army, adding that his leg
+was quite healed and that he was fit physically for field duty. In
+entering this demand, he was actuated by a different motive--the motive
+of George Monk, the Duke of Albemarle, the Commander-in-chief of the
+forces of three kingdoms.
+
+It is true that Washington had been devoted to him and remained faithful
+to him until the very end. To reprimand his favorite General was a
+painful duty. But it was performed with delicate and genuine tenderness.
+His Excellency had promised to do whatever lay within his power to
+enable his beloved General to recover the esteem of his fellow-men and
+he was glad to furnish him with every opportunity of effecting real and
+lasting service. He wrote him at once offering him leave of absence.
+Congress then ordered "That the sum of $25,000 be advanced to Major
+General Arnold on account of his pay." Finally a general order was
+issued by the Commander-in-chief himself appointing General Arnold
+Commander of the Right Wing of the American Army. The restoration so
+long awaited was at length achieved.
+
+Arnold at once began to make preparations for his departure from the
+city. His privateering ventures had been cleared up, but with profits
+barely sufficient to meet his debts. Mount Pleasant, his sole
+possession, had already been settled on his wife. His tenure of office
+had been ended some time before, and whatever documents were destined
+for preservation had been put in order pending the arrival of his
+successor.
+
+The plan for his defection had been evolved by him with elaborate
+detail. Never had the time been more opportune for the execution of a
+piece of business so nefarious. The country was without what could be
+called a stable form of government. It was deprived of any recognized
+means of exchange because of the total depreciation of the Continental
+currency. The British had obtained possession of the great city of New
+York and were threatening to overrun the country south of the
+Susquehanna. Newport was menaced and the entire British fleet was
+prepared to move up the Hudson where, at West Point, one poorly equipped
+garrison interposed between them and the forces of General Carleton,
+which were coming down from Canada. Washington was attempting to defend
+Philadelphia and watch Clinton closely from the heights of Morristown,
+while he threatened the position of the enemy in New York from West
+Point. In all the American Commander had no more than four thousand men,
+many of whom were raw recruits, mere boys, whose services had been
+procured for nine months for fifteen hundred dollars each. Georgia and
+the Carolinas were entirely reduced and it was only a question of time
+before the junction of the two armies might be effected.
+
+Clinton was to attack West Point at once, in order to break down the one
+barrier which stood between his own army and the Canadian. Learning,
+however, of the rapid progress of events on the American side and more
+especially of the proposed defection of General Arnold, he suddenly
+changed his plan. He determined to attack Washington as soon as Arnold
+had been placed in command of the right wing of the main army. The
+latter was to suffer the attack to be made, but at the psychological
+moment he was to desert his Commander-in-chief in the field, and so
+effect the total destruction of the entire force.
+
+This was the plan which was being turned over in his mind as he sat on
+this June afternoon in the great room of his mansion. He was again clad
+in his American uniform and looked the warrior of old in his blue and
+buff and gold. Care had marked his countenance with her heavy hand,
+however, and had left deep furrows across his forehead and down the
+sides of his mouth. His eyes, too, had lost their old-time flash and
+vivacity, his movements were more sluggish, his step more halting. The
+trials of the past year had left their visible tracings on him.
+
+He sat and stroked his chin, and deliberated. In his hand he held a
+letter, a letter without date or address or salutation. It had been
+brought to him that day by messenger from the city. He understood it
+perfectly.
+
+He looked at it again.
+
+"Knyphausen is in New Jersey," it read, "but, understanding Arnold is
+about to command the American Army in the field, Clinton will attack
+Washington at once. The bearer may be trusted.
+
+                                                       "ANDERSON."
+
+
+II
+
+"It is either Westminster Abbey for me or the gallows," he remarked to
+his wife that evening when they were quite alone.
+
+"You have no apprehensions, I hope."
+
+"There's many a slip----" he quoted.
+
+"Come! Be an optimist. You have set your heart on it. So be brave."
+
+"I have never lacked courage. At Saratoga while that scapegoat Gates
+sulked in his tent, I burst from the camp on my big brown horse and rode
+like a madman to the head of Larned's brigade, my old command, and we
+took the hill. Fear? I never knew what the word meant. Dashing back to
+the center, I galloped up and down before the line. We charged twice,
+and the enemy broke and fled. Then I turned to the left and ordered
+West and Livingston with Morgan's corps to make a general assault along
+the line. Here we took the key to the enemy's position and there was
+nothing for them to do but to retreat. At the same instant one bullet
+killed my good brown horse under me and another entered my leg. But the
+battle had been won."
+
+"Never mind, my dear, the world yet lies before you."
+
+"I won the war for them, damn 'em, in a single battle, and
+single-handed. Lord North knew it. The Rockingham Whigs, with Burke as
+their leader, knew it and were ready to concede independence, having
+been convinced that conciliation was no longer practicable or possible.
+Richmond urged the impossibility of final conquest, and even Gibbon
+agreed that the American colonies had been lost. I accomplished all
+that, I tell you, and I received--what?--a dead horse and a wounded
+leg."
+
+There was a flash of the old-time general, but only a flash. It was
+evident that he was tiring easily. His old-time stamina had abandoned
+him.
+
+"Why do you so excite yourself?" Peggy cautioned him. "The veins are
+bulging out on your forehead."
+
+"When I think of it, it galls me. But I shall have my revenge," he
+gloated maliciously. "Clinton is going to attack Washington as soon as I
+have taken over my command. I shall outrival Albemarle yet."
+
+"We may as well prepare to leave, then."
+
+"There is no need of your immediate departure. You are not supposed to
+be acquainted with my designs. You must remain here. Later you can join
+me."
+
+"But you are going at once?"
+
+"Yes, I shall leave very soon now. Let me see." He paused to think. "It
+is over a week now since I was appointed. The appointment was to take
+effect immediately. I should report for duty at once."
+
+"And I shall meet you----"
+
+"In New York, very probably. It is too early yet to arrange for that.
+You will know where I am stationed and can remain here until I send for
+you."
+
+While they were still engaged in conversation, a sound became very
+audible as of a horseman ascending the driveway. A summons at the door
+announced a courier from the Commander-in-chief to Major General Arnold.
+The latter presented himself and received a packet on which had been
+stamped the seal of official business. He took the document and
+withdrew.
+
+It proved to be an order from His Excellency transferring the command of
+Major General Arnold on account of physical disability, which would not
+permit of service in the field, from the right wing of the American Army
+to Commander of the fortress at West Point. He was ordered to report for
+duty as soon as circumstances would permit and was again assured of His
+Excellency's highest respect and good wishes.
+
+He handed the letter to Peggy without a word. He sat in deep meditation
+while she hastily scanned the contents.
+
+"Tricked again," was her sole comment.
+
+He did not answer.
+
+"This looks suspicious. Do you think he knows?"
+
+"No one knows."
+
+"What will you do now? This upsets all your plans."
+
+"I do not know. I shall accept, of course. Later, not now, we can
+decide."
+
+"This means that I am going too."
+
+"I suppose so. I shall have my headquarters there, and while they may
+not be as commodious as Mount Pleasant, still I would rather have you
+with me. We shall arrange for our departure accordingly."
+
+"You will, of course, inform Anderson of the change?"
+
+"He will hear of it. The news of the appointment will travel fast enough
+you may be sure. Very likely Knyphausen will now be recalled from New
+Jersey."
+
+"So perishes your dream of a duchy!" she exclaimed.
+
+"No. West Point is the most important post on the American side. It is
+the connecting link between New England and the rest of the colonies. It
+was the prize which Johnny Burgoyne was prevented from obtaining by me.
+It commands the Hudson River and opens the way to upper New York and
+Canada. It is the most strategic position in America, stored with
+immense quantities of ammunition and believed to be impregnable. Without
+doubt it is the most critical point in the American line."
+
+"Bah! You need an army. Albemarle had an army. Marlborough had an army.
+Of what use is a fortress with a large force still in the field? It's
+the army that counts, I tell you. Territory, forts, cities mean nothing.
+It's the size of the army that wins the war."
+
+"I know it, but what can I do?"
+
+He conceded the point.
+
+"Insist on your former post," she advised.
+
+He thought awhile and began to whistle softly to himself as he tapped
+his finger tips one against the other.
+
+"Listen," she continued. "There is some reason for this transfer at the
+eleventh hour. Are you dense enough not to see it? Some one has reached
+Washington's ear and whispered a secret. Else that order would never
+have been written."
+
+"Washington believes only what is true. Always has he trusted and
+defended me from the vilifications of my enemies, knowing that these
+reports only emanated from jealous and unscrupulous hearts. My leg has
+caused this change of command; I know it."
+
+She looked at him in scorn. She could not believe he could be so simple.
+
+"Your leg! What has your leg to do with it? Once you are astride your
+horse you are safe. And don't you think for one minute that Clinton is a
+fool. He does not want you. I dare say if the truth were known, he has
+no respect for you either. It is your command which is of value to him,
+and the more authority you can master, the more valuable you become.
+Then you can dictate your own terms instead of bargaining them away."
+
+"It would realize nothing to attempt a protest. A soldier asks no
+questions. Whatever I may be, I am still a soldier."
+
+"As you will."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders, and folded her arms.
+
+"West Point it is," she observed, "but General Clinton may reconsider
+his proposition. I would not be too sure."
+
+"I am sure he will be satisfied with West Point. With that post he might
+easily end the war. Anderson will write me soon again. I tell you I can
+dictate to them now. You shall have your peerage after all."
+
+"I am not so sure."
+
+"Have it your own way. I know what I am about and I know where I stand.
+At first it was a question only of my personal desertion. The betrayal
+of an army was a later development. But I could not become a deserter on
+a small scale. I have been accustomed all my life to playing signal
+rôles. If I am to sell myself at all, it shall be at the highest price
+together with the greatest prize. I have only one regret, and that is
+that I am obliged to take advantage of the confidence and respect of
+Washington to render this at all possible."
+
+"Don't let your heart become softened by tender condolences at this
+stage. Your mind has been set; don't swerve."
+
+He looked at her and wondered how she could remain so imperturbable.
+Ordinarily she burned with compassion at the sight of misery and
+affliction. He could not understand for the life of him, how stoically
+she maintained her composure throughout this ordeal. Plainly her heart
+was set on one ambition. She would be a duchess.
+
+But she did not know that he had maintained a continual correspondence
+with Sir Henry Clinton, or that West Point had long since been decided
+upon, as a possible contingency. Much she did know, but most of the
+details had been concealed from her. Not that he did not trust her, but
+he wished her to be no party to his nefarious work.
+
+And so he was not surprised that she expressed a genuine disappointment
+over his change of command. In fact he had been prepared for a more
+manifest display of disapproval. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she
+was at length to accompany him which caused her to be more benign in her
+appreciation of the transfer. For he knew that she detested the city
+and longed for the day when she might be far removed from it forever.
+
+"You will, of course, make ready to leave Mount Pleasant?" he asked of
+her.
+
+"Assuredly. I shall acquaint mother and father with the prospect this
+evening. They do not want me to leave. But I am determined."
+
+"They should be here. It is not early."
+
+"The ride is long. They will come."
+
+
+III
+
+The last night spent by the Arnolds and the Shippen family at Mount
+Pleasant was a happy one. The entire family was in attendance and the
+Arnold silver was lavishly displayed for the occasion. American viands
+cooked and served in the prevailing American fashion were offered at
+table--hearty, simple food in great plenty washed down by quantities of
+Madeira and sherry and other imported beverages.
+
+Toasts and healths were freely drunk. After the more customary ones to
+the "Success of the War," to the "Success of General Washington," to the
+"Nation" there came the usual healths to the host and the hostess, and
+more especially to the "Appointment of General Arnold." The ceremonies
+were interspersed with serious and animated conversation on the
+political situation and the chances of the army in the field. Throughout
+the entire meal a marked simplicity, a purity of manner, and frank
+cordiality was manifest, all indicative of the charming and unaffected
+homelife of the Americans.
+
+"Miss Franks would have been pleased to be with us," announced the
+General as the company awaited another service.
+
+"Could you believe it, General," said Mrs. Shippen, "not once have we
+heard from that girl since she moved to New York," and she set her lips
+firmly. "That is so unlike her; I cannot understand it."
+
+"But you know, Mother," explained Peggy, "that the mail cannot be
+depended upon."
+
+"I know, my dear, but I think that she could send a line, if it were
+only a line, by messenger if she thought enough of us. You know it was
+at our house that she met the friends with whom she is now engaged."
+
+"Our mail system is deplorable," Mr. Shippen remarked. "Only yesterday I
+received a letter which apparently had been sent months ago."
+
+"I can understand that very readily," Arnold rejoined. "Often letters
+are entrusted to travelers. At times these men deposit a letter at some
+inn at the cross-roads for the next traveler who is bound for the same
+place as the epistle. It often happens that such a missive remains for
+months upon a mantelpiece awaiting a favorable opportunity. Then again
+sheer neglect may be responsible for an unusual delay. I myself have
+experience of that."
+
+This explanation seemed to satisfy Mrs. Shippen for she dropped the
+subject immediately. The mode of travel then occasioned a critical
+comment from her until she finally asked when they intended to leave for
+West Point.
+
+"Very likely I shall leave before the week is out," replied Arnold. "It
+is most important that I assume command at once. We shall prepare to
+depart tomorrow."
+
+They talked far into the night, the men smoking while the ladies
+retired to the great drawing-room. Peggy played and sang, and took her
+mother aside at intervals for conference upon little matters which
+required advice. At a late hour, after taking affectionate leaves, the
+families parted. Peggy and her husband now abandoned themselves to their
+destiny--to glorious triumph or to utter ruin.
+
+They closed the door upon their kinsfolk and faced the situation.
+Westminster Abbey or the gallows loomed before them.
+
+
+IV
+
+Late that same evening, alone before his desk, General Arnold penned the
+following ambiguous letter to John Anderson. West Point it was. That was
+settled. Still it was necessary that General Clinton be appraised
+immediately of the change of command together with some inkling of the
+military value of the new post. The business was such that he dared not
+employ his true name; and so he assumed a title, referring to himself
+throughout the note in the third person. The meaning of the message, he
+knew, would be readily interpreted.
+
+
+Sir:--On the 24th of last month I received a note from you without date,
+in answer to mine; also a letter from your house in answer to mine, with
+a note from B. of the 30th of June, with an extract of a letter from Mr.
+J. Osborn. I have paid particular attention to the contents of the
+several letters. Had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer
+sooner. A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.
+I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you an
+interview with Mr. M--e, when you will be able to settle your commercial
+plan, I hope, in a manner agreeable to all parties. Mr. M--e assures me
+that he is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means
+unreasonable, and makes no doubt, that, when he has a conference with
+you, you will close with it. He expects when you meet you will be fully
+authorized from your House and that the risks and profits of the
+co-partnership may be fully and clearly understood.
+
+A speculation might at this time be easily made to some advantage with
+ready money, but there is not the quantity of goods at market which your
+partner seems to suppose, and the number of speculators below, I think,
+will be against your making an immediate purchase. I apprehend goods
+will be in greater plenty and much cheaper in the course of the season;
+both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this juncture. Some
+quantities are expected in this part of the country soon.
+
+Mr. M--e flatters himself that in the course of ten days he will have
+the pleasure of seeing you. He requests me to advise you that he has
+ordered a draught on you in favor of our mutual friend, S--y for 1300,
+which you will charge on account of the tobacco.
+
+  I am, in behalf of Mr. M--e and Co., Sir,
+        Your most obedient, humble servant,
+                                       Gustavus.
+
+
+To Mr. John Anderson, Merchant,
+         New York.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+I
+
+In the meantime, Marjorie was tossing restlessly, nervously in her bed,
+enduring hours of disconsolate remorse and lonely desolation. She could
+not sleep. She cried her eyes wet with tears, and wiped them dry again
+with her handkerchief; then stared up at the black ceiling, or gazed out
+through the small window at the faint glow in the world beyond. Her
+girlish heart, lay heavy within her, distended almost to the
+breaking-point with grief, a grief which had sent her early to bed to
+seek solitude and consolation; that solitude which alone brings relief
+to a heart freighted with sorrow and woe. Now that Stephen had gone, she
+had time to think over the meaning of it all, and she began to
+experience the renewed agony of those terrible moments by the water's
+edge. It was so awful, so frightful that her tender frame seemed to
+yield beneath its load, she simply had to give way to the tears.
+
+She could not sleep, and she knew it. Scrambling out of her bed and
+wrapping a mantle about her, she sat beside the window and peered into
+the night. There was not a breeze to break the solemn silence, not a
+sound to distract her from her reverie. Two black and uncanny pine trees
+stood like armed guards near by the corner of the house to challenge the
+interloper from disturbing her meditation. Overhead the stars blinked
+and glistened through the treetops in their lace of foliage and delicate
+branches, and resembled for all the world an hundred diamonds set in a
+band of filigree work. The moon had not yet risen, and all the world
+seemed to be in abject despair, bristling in horrid shapes and
+sights,--a fit dwelling-place for Marjorie and her grief-stricken heart.
+
+Stephen had gone away that afternoon, perhaps never to return. For this
+she could not reproach him, for she allowed that she had given him every
+reason to feel offended. But she had hurt him, and very likely hurt him
+to the quick. She knew his sensitive nature and she feared the
+consequence. It was that thought more than the real contrition over her
+fault which had overwhelmed her. Her return for his many acts of
+kindness had been one of austere repulsion.
+
+Now she felt acutely the bitterness of it all. That she had afforded him
+some encouragement, that she had coöperated in the first place to make
+the setting of it all quite perfect, that she had lent him her assurance
+that she was amicably disposed towards him, and that her action in
+regard to the miniature, while apparently innocent enough, was fraught
+with significance for Stephen in view of his intimate connections with
+the events of the past two years, that after all perhaps she had been
+entirely unreasonable throughout it all; these were the thoughts which
+excited, both in the truth of their reality and in the knowledge of the
+hopes they had alternately raised and blasted in Stephen, the bitter
+sorrow which was the cause of her mingled pain and regret.
+
+What would he think of her now? What could he think? Plainly he must
+consider her a cold, austere being, devoid of all feeling and
+appreciation. He had given her the best that was in him and had made
+bold enough to appraise her of it. Sincerity was manifest in his every
+gesture and word, and yet she had made him feel as if his protestations
+had been repugnant to her. She knew his nature, his extreme diffidence
+in matters of this kind, his power of resolution, and she feared that
+once having tried and failed, he was lost to her forever.
+
+And yet she knew that she grieved not for herself but for him. Her stern
+refusal had only caused him the greater pain. Stephen would, perhaps,
+misunderstand as he had misunderstood her in the past and it was the
+thought of the vast discomfiture she had occasioned in him that stung
+her with sorrow.
+
+Her warm, generous heart now chided her for her apparent indifference.
+There was no other name for it. What could he deduce from her behavior
+except that she was a cold, ungrateful, irresolute creature who did not
+know her own mind or the promptings of her own heart! She had flung him
+from her smarting and wounded, after he had summoned his entire strength
+to whisper to her what she would have given worlds to hear, but which
+had only confounded and startled her by its suddenness.
+
+And yet she loved him. She knew it and kept repeating it over and over
+again to her own self. No one before or since had struck so responsive a
+chord from her heart strings. There had been no other ideal to which she
+had shaped the pictures of her mind. Stephen was her paragon of
+excellence and to him the faculties of her soul had turned of their own
+mood and temper unknown even to the workings of her intellectual
+consciousness, like the natural inclination of the heliotrope before the
+rays of the rising sun.
+
+Laying her head in the crook of her elbow she sobbed bitterly.
+
+The thought that he was gone from her life brought inconsolable remorse.
+She knew him, knew the intimate structure of his soul, and she knew that
+a deep repentance would seize hold of him on account of his rash
+presumption. He would be true to his word: he would not breathe the
+subject again. Nay, more, he would ever permit her to disappear from his
+life as gradually as she had entered into it. This was unendurable but
+the consciousness that she had caused this bitter rupture was beyond all
+endurance still.
+
+She lifted her head and stared into the black depths of the night. All
+was still except the shrill pipings of the frogs as they sounded their
+dissonant notes to one another in the far-off Schuylkill meadows. They,
+too, were filled with thoughts of love, Marjorie thought, which they had
+made bold enough to publish in their own discordant way, and they seemed
+to take eminent delight in having the whole world aware of the fact that
+it, too, might rejoice with them.
+
+If it were true that she loved him, it were equally true that he ought
+to be apprised of it. There could be no love without a mutual
+understanding, for to love alone would be admiration and entirely
+one-sided. Let her unfold her soul to him in order that he might take
+joy for his portion ere his ardor had cooled into mere civility. For if
+it were licit to love, it were more licit to express it and this
+expression should be reciprocal.
+
+She would tell him before it were too late. Her silence at the very
+moment when she should have acted was unfortunate. Perhaps his affection
+had been killed by the blow and her protestations would be falling upon
+barren soil. No matter! She would write and unfold her heart to him,
+and tell him that she really and truly cared for him more than any one
+else in the world, and she would beg him to return that she might
+whisper in his ear those very words she had been softly repeating to
+herself. Full repentance would take possession of her soul, and her
+heart would rush unrestrained to the object of its love, telling him
+that she was with him always, thinking of him, praying for him, and
+waiting for him. She would write him at once.
+
+
+II
+
+But she did not mail the letter. Hidden carefully in her room, it lay
+all the next day. Unworthy post-chaise to bear so precious a manuscript!
+She would journey herself to its destination to safeguard it, were it at
+all possible. A thousand and one misgivings haunted her concerning the
+safety of its arrival,--Stephen might have been transferred to some
+distant point, the letter itself might possibly fall into awkward hands,
+it might lay for months in the post bag, or fall into a dark corner of
+some obscure tavern, the roads were infested with robbers,--horrible
+thoughts, too horrible to record.
+
+She did not know just how long it had taken her to compose it. The end
+of the candle had burned quite out during the process, and she lay
+deliberating over its contents and wondering just what else might be
+added. Twice she was on the point of arising to assure herself on the
+style of her confession, but each time she changed her mind, deciding to
+yield to her earlier thought. The darkness seemed to envelop her in
+fancy, and when she again opened her eyes the darkness had disappeared
+before the light. It was morning and she arose for the day.
+
+Hour by hour she waited to tell her mother. It was only right that she
+should know, and she proposed to tell her all, even the very episode on
+the river bank. She needed counsel, especially during these lonely
+moments, and she felt that she could obtain it only by unfolding her
+heart unreservedly. Mother would know; in fact, she must have suspected
+the gravity of the affair. But how would she begin it? She longed for an
+opening, but no opening presented itself.
+
+The meaning of his addresses she saw, or she thought she saw. Stephen
+loved her; his words were very effective. Indeed, he had made no mention
+of marriage, nevertheless she sensed that his ulterior purpose had been
+revealed to her fully. Perhaps it was this consummation which caused her
+heart to stand suddenly still; perhaps it was the vision of the new life
+which was opening before her. She would have to go away with him as his
+wife, away from her home, away from her beloved father and mother. The
+summers would come and go and she would be far distant from her own, in
+far-off New York, perhaps, or some other city better adapted for the
+career of a young man of ability. They might live in Philadelphia, near
+to her home, yet not in it. That would be preferable, yet the future
+could lend her no assurance. She would be his for life, and with him
+would be obliged to begin a new manner of living.
+
+Such thoughts as these occupied her for the greater part of the day, and
+before she was really aware of it, her father had come home for the
+evening. She could not tell both at once; better to tell them in turn.
+It would be more confidential and better to her liking. Once the secret
+was common between them, it was easy to discuss it together, and so she
+decided that she would put it off until the morrow. Then she would tell
+mother, and let her mother talk it over with her father. Both then would
+advise her.
+
+"Next week is going to see the greatest event in the history of the
+Church in America," Marjorie heard her father remark as he placed his
+hat upon the rack behind the door.
+
+"What is it now?" inquired her mother who chanced to be in the
+sitting-room when he entered.
+
+"The Congress is going to Mass."
+
+"The Congress?" she exclaimed. "Praised be God!"
+
+"What news, father?" asked Marjorie, hurrying into the room.
+
+"The Congress, the President and the prominent men of the nation have
+been invited to take part in the solemn Te Deum next Sunday. It is the
+anniversary of the signing of the Declaration."
+
+"Isn't that remarkable?"
+
+"It is remarkable," he repeated. "The French Ambassador has issued the
+invitations and all have signified their intentions of being present.
+Here is one of them." Taking from his pocket a folded paper, he handed
+it to Marjorie. She opened it at once and read aloud,
+
+
+"Mr. Matthew Allison:--You are invited by the Minister Plenipotentiary
+of France to attend the Te Deum, which will be chanted on Sunday, the
+4th of this month, at noon, in the new Catholic Chapel, to celebrate the
+anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.
+
+"Philadelphia, the Second of July. M. Gerard."
+
+
+"The Congress going to Mass!" said his wife, apparently unable to
+comprehend fully the meaning of it all.
+
+"The more one thinks of it the more strange it becomes. They branded
+Charles the First a Papist because he permitted his queen, who was born
+and bred a Catholic, to attend Holy Mass. Now we have our newly-formed
+government not alone countenancing Popery, but actually participating in
+a supposedly pagan and idolatrous form of worship."
+
+"This marks the end of religious prejudice in this country," observed
+Marjorie. "At length all men are in all things equal, equal in the sight
+of God and man. Don't you think our leaders must realize this and are
+taking steps to prepare the minds of the people accordingly?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "and I don't know but what it is only right. We all
+go to the market together, trade our goods together, rub elbows
+together, clear the land together, fight together. Why shouldn't we live
+together in peace? Intolerance and bigotry are dead and buried. We have
+laid the foundations of the greatest country in the world."
+
+"Thank God for that!" breathed Mrs. Allison.
+
+"We are respected above all calculation," Mr. Allison continued. "Our
+Loyalty now is unquestioned."
+
+"We may thank God for that, too."
+
+"And Captain Meagher!" added Marjorie.
+
+Her eyes beamed.
+
+"Yes, you are right, girl," said her father. "We can thank Captain
+Meagher. The frustration and the exposure of that plot has increased our
+reputation an hundredfold. Heretofore, the Catholic population had been
+regarded as an insignificant element, but when the ambitions of the
+enemy to secure their coöperation were discovered, the value of the
+Catholics to the country suddenly rose."
+
+"Our unity must have created a lasting impression," Marjorie remarked.
+
+"Not alone our unity, but our loyalty as well. The government has
+learned that we have been ever true to the land of our birth, ever loyal
+to the country of our adoption. It has thoughtfully considered the value
+of our sacrifices, and has carefully estimated our contribution to the
+cause of freedom. When the charter of liberty assumes a more definite
+form our rights will specifically be determined. Of that I am reasonably
+certain. The enemy failed to allure us from our country in its time of
+need; our country will not abandon us in our time of need."
+
+"Stephen did it," announced Marjorie.
+
+"Stephen helped to do it," replied her father.
+
+
+III
+
+That same evening, during a stolen moment while her mother was busied
+with the turning of the buckwheat cakes, Marjorie crept to her father's
+knee and folded her arms over it.
+
+"Daddy!" she looked up at him from her seated posture on the floor.
+"What would you say to a very eligible young man who had told you that
+he was very fond of you?"
+
+"What would I say?" asked the father in surprise.
+
+"Yes. What would you?"
+
+"I would not say anything. I would have him examined."
+
+"No, Daddy. This is serious," and she pushed his knee from her as she
+spoke.
+
+"I am serious. If a man told me that he was very fond of me, I would
+question his sanity."
+
+She laughed.
+
+"You know what I mean. I mean if you were a girl and----"
+
+"But I am not a girl."
+
+"Well, if you were?"
+
+"If I was what?"
+
+"You know what I mean quite well. Would you hate him at first?"
+
+"I hope not. I should want to strangle him, but I wouldn't hate him."
+
+"And you would strangle him? For what?"
+
+"For daring."
+
+"Daring what?"
+
+"You know."
+
+He smiled.
+
+"Oh, dear! Won't you listen to me? Tell me what to do."
+
+"I could not tell you. You have not told me what has happened."
+
+"I asked you what you would say to an attractive soldier who had told
+you that he loved you."
+
+"Yes. And I told you that if he had told that to me, I would ask what
+ailed him."
+
+"Oh, Daddy, you are too funny tonight. I can't reason with you."
+
+She sat back on her heels and pouted.
+
+He smiled and roused himself upright and put his arm around her and drew
+her to him.
+
+"There! There! I know what you mean, daughter. It means that I shall
+have no say in the matter."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"You will do it all."
+
+"No. I shall never leave you."
+
+"Yes, you will. You will be happier. But why didn't Stephen ask me about
+it?"
+
+"How did you know it was Stephen?" she looked at him in astonishment.
+
+"Well enough."
+
+"But how?" she repeated.
+
+"I knew it all the time and your mother and I have been prepared for
+this occasion."
+
+"But who told you?" Her eyes opened full and round in genuine wonder.
+Here was one surprise after the other.
+
+"There was no need of any one telling me. I have been watching the pair
+of you, and sensed what the outcome would be some little while ago."
+
+"But, Daddy. How should you know?"
+
+He laughed outright.
+
+"There! There! We are satisfied quite, I can assure you. I know what you
+are about to say; and your mother knows it too."
+
+"But I have not yet told her. I meant to tell her today but did not.
+Then I thought of telling you and of whispering the whole story to her
+after we were upstairs."
+
+She was serious, very serious, absorbed for the most part in her story
+although her mind was clouded with amazement at the want of surprise
+which was manifested. Her innocent mind apparently was unable for the
+time being to fathom the intricacies of this plot which seemed to be
+laid bare to every one concerned save her own self.
+
+"Of course you will tell her, but you will find that she will consent to
+the proposal."
+
+"What proposal?"
+
+"Why, I suppose the proposal of your coming marriage."
+
+"But!... But!... Daddy!... I never said anything about marriage."
+
+"You did start to tell me that Stephen told you he was very fond of
+you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And you told him the same."
+
+"No, I didn't."
+
+"But you will tell him."
+
+A hush followed. She looked askance at him from the corner of her eye.
+
+"And so after you two have told one another as much as that you may as
+well decide upon the date."
+
+"But ... I ... I am not sure that I want to marry him."
+
+"Well, that is your privilege, you know."
+
+"And.... And ... perhaps he will never ask me again."
+
+"Just wait a bit."
+
+"And would you marry him?"
+
+"I told you that I would not. I already have one wife...."
+
+"Oh! You make me lose all patience," she cried rising from the floor and
+leaving him. "I shall confide in mother."
+
+"Remember," he cautioned her in a somewhat serious strain. "Do not ask
+her to marry him."
+
+She was gone.
+
+The following day a letter was dispatched to the Headquarters at
+Morristown, New Jersey. In the meantime a very large doubt began to take
+form in the mind of one little girl concerning the manner of its
+reception. A thousand and one impossible situations were conceived, but
+there seemed nothing to do; he must now do it all. The possibility
+loomed ghost-like before her: he might never return. The wound which she
+had caused still smarted and ached. He might never return. Her eyes
+wandered and strayed among the multitude of objects before them; her
+lips had forgotten their usual smile. He might fail to receive her note
+and if he did he might disdain to acknowledge it. But no! He would not
+do that. There was naught else to do but wait. Oh! if the moments would
+only hurry!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+I
+
+It was a great day for Philadelphia when the Continental Congress went
+to Mass. It was Independence Day, too, but this was of lesser importance
+in the estimation of the people, especially of the Catholic portion of
+them. Fully a quarter before the hour, the bell began to sound and the
+streets became like so many avenues of commerce with people standing in
+doorways, or leaning from their windows, or hurrying with feverish haste
+in the direction of the New Chapel of St. Mary's, the parish church of
+the city. There a number of them congregated in twos or threes to await
+the procession of notables, who would soon approach with great solemnity
+and dignity from the opposite corner of the street.
+
+The celebration came about in this manner:
+
+It was the desire of M. Gerard, the Minister Plenipotentiary of France,
+to commemorate the anniversary day of the Independence of the United
+States in a religious manner. Arrangements already had been made to hold
+Divine worship earlier in the morning at Christ Church, at which the
+guests of honor were invited to be present. At twelve o'clock the
+congregation would march to the Church of St. Mary, where a military
+Mass and a solemn Te Deum would be sung. The Reverend Seraphin Bandol,
+chaplain to the French Embassy, would celebrate the Mass and deliver a
+sermon appropriate to the occasion.
+
+It had been fondly expected that the event would assume an international
+tone. Events had been moving with extraordinary rapidity towards the
+establishment of the Roman Catholic religion in the graces of the
+government, and this celebration might demonstrate the patriotic motives
+of the Catholic body beyond the shadow of a doubt. That a Congress,
+which of late had condemned in the strongest terms the practices of the
+Roman Catholic religion, could change in sentiment and action in so
+short a time, would be an unequivocal proof of the countenance and good
+will which the Catholic religion was beginning to acquire. At any rate
+the example set by the governing body of the new republic attending Mass
+in a Roman Catholic edifice, offering up their devout orisons in the
+language, service and worship of Rome, would be a memorable one, an
+augury of the new spirit of religious freedom which later would be
+breathed into the Constitution of these same States by these same men.
+
+Precisely at ten minutes before the hour they came, walking in pairs,
+headed by John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, and
+His Excellency M. Gerard, the French Ambassador. Immediately after the
+Congress, marched the Supreme Executive Council of Philadelphia with
+Joseph Reed at its head. Then came the French Embassy, resplendent in
+its dress of blue and gold. Prominent civilians, military officers, men
+of repute in city and nation, followed slowly along the crowded
+thoroughfare and as slowly made their way into the small edifice.
+General Washington was not present, having been prevented by duty in the
+field.
+
+Within, the little church murmured with low talking. Ordinarily, the
+congregation would have been absorbed in silent contemplation before the
+Presence of the Divine One, but the impressiveness of the occasion made
+the people depart from their usual fervor. The little church was only
+partly filled when the great procession arrived and every head
+instinctively turned in the direction of the entrance at the sound of
+their many footsteps. As they marched down the aisle every breath was
+held; then as they began to file into the pews reserved for them, the
+subdued murmur began again.
+
+Marjorie and her father sat to the rear of the church in the company of
+the early arrivals. In fact the entire Allison family occupied the same
+pew, pressed, indeed, for room on account of the multitude which crowded
+its way into the church and into the small aisles. Round about them on
+every side sat the congregation, some of whom were already familiar to
+them, the majority of whom, however, were total strangers. From their
+appearance and demeanor it was not difficult to conclude, Marjorie
+thought, that more than one-half of them were non-Catholic.
+
+The inside of the church was adorned in splendid array with the emblems
+of France and the United States. In the sanctuary, on each side of the
+altar, stood two large flags of the allied nations, while across the
+choir gallery in the rear of the church, there stretched in festoons,
+the colors of the infant republic superimposed in the middle by a shield
+bearing the likeness of Louis XVI. On the altar bloomed a variety of cut
+flowers, arranged in an artistic and fanciful manner on the steps of the
+reredos amidst a great profusion of white unlighted candles. The three
+highest candlesticks on each side had been lighted, and the little
+tongues of living flame were leaping from them joyfully. Over the
+tabernacle a large crucifix raised aloft, while just before the door of
+the tabernacle rested the chalice with its white veil, arranged in the
+form of a truncated triangle, shielding it from view.
+
+For several minutes after the honorable body had been seated there was a
+confusion of feet and forms as the members of the congregation surged
+into the church. The pews filled quickly, and the more tardy and less
+fortunate individuals sought places along the aisles and along the rear.
+Overhead the small organ gasped and panted the strains of a martial air,
+the uneven throbbing of its bellows emphasizing the fatigue and
+exhaustion of its faithful operator.
+
+"Is that the French Ambassador?" whispered Marjorie to her father.
+
+"With the brocade and lace. Yes. Next to him is Mr. Hancock, President
+of the Congress."
+
+She looked and saw the noble head and dignified bearing of the
+statesman. He sat very erect and majestic, presenting an appearance of
+taste and refinement in his suit of silken black.
+
+"There is Mr. Adams, John Adams, with the great powdered periwig. The
+tall thin man seated at his right is Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the
+Declaration. He is, without doubt, the scholar of the Congress."
+
+Marjorie followed his whispering with evident interest. Never had she
+been in the company of such notable men.
+
+"Who is that? See! He is turning sideways."
+
+"Livingston. Robert Livingston. Then the great Robert Morris, whose
+financial aid made possible the continuance of the war. His personal
+sacrifice for the cause of independence will never be computed. He is
+Washington's best friend."
+
+She peered through the crowd to catch a glimpse of the famous financier.
+
+"Do not overlook our staunch Catholic member of the Congress, Charles
+Carroll. Lest he might be mistaken for any other man of the same name he
+made bold to affix after his name on the Declaration of Independence,
+'of Carrollton.' A representative Catholic and a true patriot!"
+
+She recalled this, having seen the name of "Charles Carroll of
+Carrollton" on the printed copy of the Declaration.
+
+Mr. Allison again nudged his daughter with his elbow to attract her
+attention.
+
+"Can you see that elderly man with the sharp-pointed features over
+across?" he asked.
+
+She looked in the direction indicated but did not seem to be able to
+locate him.
+
+"The second pew, third man from the aisle."
+
+"Yes! Yes!" she exclaimed.
+
+"That is Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, the author of the resolution
+'That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
+independent States.' That paved the way for the drawing up of the
+Declaration."
+
+The makers of history were before her, and her eyes danced at their
+sober and grave demeanor. Here sat the Congress, not all of it, but a
+goodly portion of it, which had voted unanimously in favor of complete
+separation from the mother country. Here were those very men who had
+risked their all, their fortunes, their homes, their lives for their
+country's cause. Here they now assembled, visibly burdened with the
+cares and the apprehensions of the past few years, still uncertain of
+the future, but steadfastly determined to endure to the bitter end,
+either to hang together or to rise to glorious triumphs together. And
+here they sat or knelt in the temple of God to rededicate their fortunes
+to Him, to accept from His hands the effects of His judgments, but at
+the same time to implore Him to look with favor upon their efforts and
+to render possible of realization those desires which were uppermost in
+their hearts. Marjorie thought that they could not, they must not fail,
+they, who were animated by such sincere devotion and by such sentiments
+of genuine piety.
+
+"Mr. Franklin isn't here?" she whispered.
+
+"No," he softly answered. "I think he has not returned from France. He
+was there, you know, when the Alliance was concluded. Lafayette only
+joined Washington last month. Did you know that he brought with him a
+commission from the French King to General Washington, appointing him
+Lieutenant-General in the French army and Vice-Admiral of its navy?"
+
+"No. I did not hear of it."
+
+"I suppose Franklin is still over there. He would be here, although he
+himself is an atheist. He believes in no form of religious worship. I
+should not say that he is an atheist for he does believe in One God, but
+that is about all."
+
+The murmur about the little church began to die away. Still the surging
+at the door continued until it seemed as if the small building would
+burst its sides with its great burden.
+
+The tinkle of a little bell sounding from the door leading from the
+sanctuary announced that the Mass was about to begin. On the instant the
+congregation rose and remained standing until Father Bandol, preceded
+by the altar boys, had reached the foot of the altar and made the
+genuflection.
+
+
+II
+
+High up in the gallery the choir broke into the strains of the "Kyrie"
+of the Mass, while the priest in a profound bow before the altar made
+his confession of sins. Marjorie took out her prayer-book and began to
+follow the Mass, meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord's life as
+commemorated in the Holy Sacrifice.
+
+Ascending the altar, the priest passed at once to the right hand side
+where lay the Mass-Book, from which he read the Introit. He returned to
+the center and chanted in soft clear tones the "Gloria in Excelsis," the
+hymn of praise which the angels sang for the first time on Christmas
+night when Christ, the Lord, was born. This was taken up immediately by
+the choir. Meanwhile the congregation were seated during the singing of
+this hymn of praise to the Most High.
+
+The prayers of the Mass, prayers for our rulers, prayers for peace were
+sung by the celebrant, the people kneeling in an attitude of prayer
+while their priest interceded to God in their behalf. Having finished
+the prayers for the people a Lesson from one of St. Paul's Epistles was
+read, after which the priest passed to the left side of the altar to
+sing a passage from the Gospel. The people now stood to profess their
+belief in the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ.
+
+Marjorie and her father and mother recollected themselves quite during
+these solemn moments and no syllable of communication passed between
+them, all assisting at the service with prayer-books or beads,
+following every movement of the priest intelligently and with devotion.
+
+The congregation were permitted to sit while the celebrant of the Mass
+offered the materials for the sacrifice, unleavened bread and the pure
+juice of the grape, to Almighty God, to adore Him above all other
+things, to thank Him for all the graces and blessings bestowed by Him on
+mankind, to satisfy His justice for the sins of man and to implore Him
+for whatever favors He might deign to bestow.
+
+Soon the voice of Father Bandol resounded through the church with the
+opening tones of the Preface of the Mass, the responses to which were
+made by the members of the choir. Slowly and solemnly he chanted the
+notes of praise, ending with the "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts."
+A sound from the bell gave the warning that the awful moment was about
+to arrive, the moment when the ambassador of Christ would exercise the
+power communicated to him from Jesus Himself through the Twelve and
+their successors, the power of changing the substance of bread and wine
+into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
+
+The people bent forward in an attitude of humble adoration. Marjorie
+buried her face in her hands on the top of the forward pew, pouring out
+her heart in praise and thanksgiving to her God and Master. In profound
+reverence she remained while the priest pronounced the mystical words
+"Hoc est enim corpus meum" over the species and effected the mystery of
+mysteries, the translation of Christ's Mystical Body to the elements of
+the earth, in the transubstantiation of the Mass. Now Her Lord was
+present before her; now the Divinity of His Person was but a few feet
+away, clothed, not in flesh and blood, but under the appearances of
+bread and wine; now Her Creator was with her, lying on the white
+corporal of the altar and she poured forth her soul to Him in accents of
+adoration and supplication.
+
+"O my God!" she breathed. "I adore Thee through Jesus; I beg pardon
+through Jesus; I thank Thee through Jesus; I humbly ask every blessing
+and grace through Jesus. May I lead a holy life and die a good death. My
+Jesus! mercy! My Jesus! mercy! My Jesus! mercy!"
+
+The prayers for the dead were read and the Pater Noster was chanted. A
+signal from the bell announced that the priest's communion was about to
+take place and that the distribution of the Sacred Body would be made to
+as many as desired to partake of it. It was Sunday and the majority of
+the Catholics present had been in attendance at an earlier Mass, on
+which account there were no communicants at this later one. The closing
+ceremonies were concluded with the reading of the Gospel of St. John,
+when Father Bandol turned towards the congregation to begin his address.
+Every member present sat upright in his seat and awaited the message
+which was about to fall from the lips of the priest.
+
+
+III
+
+"My dear brethren," he said, "we are assembled to celebrate the
+anniversary of that day which Providence had marked, in His eternal
+decrees, to become the epoch of liberty and independence to the thirteen
+United States of America."
+
+There was a silence throughout the church which was breathless. Every
+eye was focused on the vested form before the altar.
+
+"That Being whose almighty hand holds all existence beneath its dominion
+undoubtedly produces in the depths of His wisdom those great events
+which astonish the world and of which the most presumptuous, though
+instrumental in accomplishing them, dare not attribute to themselves the
+merit. But the finger of God is still more peculiarly evidenced in that
+happy, that glorious revolution which calls forth this day's festivity.
+He hath struck the oppressors of a free people--free and peaceful, with
+the spirit of delusion which renders the wicked artificers of their own
+proper misfortunes.
+
+"Permit me, my dear brethren, citizens of the United States, to address
+you on this occasion. It is that God, that all powerful God, who hath
+directed your steps; who, when you were without arms fought for you the
+sword of justice; who, when you were in adversity, poured into your
+hearts the spirit of courage, of wisdom, and fortitude, and who hath, at
+length, raised up for your support a youthful sovereign whose virtues
+bless and adorn a sensible, a fruitful and a generous nation."
+
+The French Ambassador bowed his head in profound acquiescence.
+
+"This nation hath blended her interest with your interest and her
+sentiments with yours. She participates in all your joys, and this day
+unites her voice to yours at the foot of the altars of the eternal God
+to celebrate that glorious revolution which has placed the sons of
+America among the free and independent nations of the earth.
+
+"We have nothing now to apprehend but the anger of Heaven, or that the
+measure of our guilt should exceed His mercy. Let us then prostrate
+ourselves at the feet of the immortal God, who holds the fate of empires
+in His hands, and raises them up at His pleasure, or breaks them down to
+dust. Let us conjure Him to enlighten our enemies, and to dispose their
+hearts to enjoy that tranquillity and happiness which the Revolution we
+now celebrate has established for a great part of the human race. Let us
+implore Him to conduct us by that way which His Providence has marked
+out for arriving at so desirable an end. Let us offer unto Him hearts
+imbued with sentiments of respect, consecrated by religion, humanity and
+patriotism. Never is the august ministry of His altars more acceptable
+to His Divine Majesty than when it lays at His feet homages, offerings
+and vows, so pure, so worthy the common offerings of mankind.
+
+"God will not regret our joy, for He is the author of it; nor will He
+forget our prayers, for they ask but the fulfillment of the decrees He
+has manifested. Filled with this spirit, let us, in concert with one
+another, raise our hearts to the Eternal; let us implore His infinite
+mercy to be pleased to inspire the rulers of both nations with the
+wisdom and force necessary to perfect what He hath begun. Let us, in a
+word, unite our voices to beseech Him to dispense His blessings upon the
+counsels and the arms of the allies and that we may soon enjoy the
+sweets of a peace which will soon cement the Union and establish the
+prosperity of the two empires."
+
+The same religious silence prevailed; indeed there sat many in the same
+immovable posture. But it was evident that the words were being received
+with pleasure and satisfaction. Signs of approval appeared on every
+face.
+
+"It is with this view," the priest concluded, "that we shall cause that
+canticle to be chanted, which the custom of the Catholic Church hath
+consecrated, to be at once a testimonial of public joy, a thanksgiving
+for benefits received from heaven, and a prayer for the continuance of
+its mercies."
+
+
+IV
+
+He had done. As he stepped to the floor of the sanctuary and took his
+stand before the center of the altar a pronounced disturbance,
+accompanied by much coughing, made itself manifest. This was followed by
+a great rumble as the entire congregation rose to its feet to await the
+intonation of the Te Deum.
+
+Pleasant and sweet rose Father Bandol's voice above the rustling in the
+opening notes of that most majestic of all hymns of praise:
+
+"Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur."
+
+And immediately the vast throng took up the melody and there
+reverberated throughout the church, escaping through the open doors and
+windows, across the streets and over the roof-tops, up to the topmost
+regions of the heavens, to the very gates of heaven itself, the strains
+of the Ambrosian hymn of thanksgiving and praise which the members of
+the American Congress sang to the God of Nations and of Battles in the
+little chapel of St. Mary's on the anniversary day of the signing of the
+greatest exposition of a freeman's rights ever penned by the hand of
+man.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+I
+
+The wayfarer on this July afternoon in the fifth year of American
+Independence might have passed on the main thoroughfare leading into the
+city of Philadelphia from the townships of Bristol and Trenton, a young
+and powerfully built officer astride a spirited chestnut mare. The
+countryside, through which he was journeying, stretched for miles around
+in peaceful solitude, teeming and delightful with that leafy and rich
+green livery which we are accustomed to associate with the idea of
+abundance. Overhead the sky was clear, from which the sun blazed down
+great billows of heat that hovered over the landscape, giving vigor and
+enthusiasm to the various forms of vegetable life, but at the same time
+causing the animal world to drowse and languish in discomfort.
+
+It was plain to be seen that the horseman was an officer of the
+Continental Army. His mount, young and well groomed, gave every
+indication of a long ride, its nostrils dilated, its mouth moist with
+foam, its sides streaky with strings of sweat. Haste was desired, it was
+apparent, although in the more exposed portions of the roadway the mare
+was allowed to walk, her rider affectionately patting her neck or
+coaxing her along with an encouraging remark.
+
+"Look, Dolly! There is some soft, tender grass to cool your lips. We
+shall take some."
+
+And he turned the mare to the side of the road and allowed her to
+nibble at the greensward.
+
+Soon they were again on their way, she munching the while on the last
+mouthful, now walking, now impatiently breaking into a canter; Stephen,
+holding her in check with his hand, looked far ahead at the roofs of the
+city beyond. Through his mind there passed in review the incidents of
+the day, the memory of his business just concluded, the speculation of
+the future of the army, the contemplation of his reception by Marjorie.
+
+He had been away for more than a month. During that time he was engaged
+in business of the gravest nature. Many hours had been spent in the
+company of the Commander-in-chief before whom he had laid an account of
+his varied activities in the city. The proposed plan for the formation
+of the regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers, with all its ramifications
+and side issues, together with an account of his own adventures in its
+respect, was reported faithfully and accurately to his superior. The
+person of John Anderson, his suspicions concerning him, the strangely
+formed friendship of the spy with the Military Governor, were indicated
+with only that amount of reserve necessary to distinguish a moral from
+an absolute certitude. Events had moved with great rapidity, yet he felt
+assured that the real crisis was only now impending, for which reason he
+desired to return to the city so as to be ready for any service which
+might be required.
+
+"Go along, girl. We want to reach home by noon."
+
+Dolly heeded him and began to canter.
+
+Washington had not taken kindly to his suggestion for the recall of
+General Arnold's command; in fact he had treated the proposal with a
+scorn worthy of his strong sense and dauntless courage. It was plain to
+be seen that His Excellency had placed much reliance and confidence in
+his favorite officer. It was impossible to create so much as a suspicion
+in the mind of him, who had been compelled to endure irksome suppression
+at the hands of a cabalistic and jealous military party, and who, for
+that very reason, took a magnanimous view of the plight of one beset
+with similar persecutions. General Arnold was in his eyes a brave and
+fearless leader, but one unfortunately annoyed and tormented by the
+machinations of an ungrateful and intolerant populace.
+
+And so when it came to pass that the one General, whom he had admired
+and trusted, applied for an active command in the field, General
+Washington cordially granted the request. If the wounded limb would
+permit it, there was no doubt in the mind of His Excellency that General
+Arnold would prove the most heroic and able officer along the line.
+Lincoln was gone, having been forced to surrender with his entire army
+at Charleston only six weeks before. Green was engaged with the army in
+the Carolinas; Gates was a coward; Lee, a traitor. In the important
+operations which were soon to take place with the main army in the
+vicinity of New York, Arnold was the leader best qualified for the task.
+Washington took extreme delight in appointing him to the command of the
+Right Wing of his own army and the Second in Command of the Continental
+forces.
+
+It was with genuine reluctance that he consented to listen to the
+strange story as unfolded by his aide-de-camp, Captain Meagher. That
+General Arnold should openly countenance rebellion was preposterous; to
+become a party to it was incredible. Yet the veracity of his aide was
+unquestionable, and the wealth of evidence which he had presented left
+little room for doubt. Still Washington's faith was unshaken. He felt
+assured that his favorite General would redeem himself when the proper
+time came. And every encouragement for this redemption would be afforded
+him.
+
+West Point was open. He would recall the order appointing him to the
+command of the army and make him commander of the fortification there.
+The exigencies of the times required a man of rare ability and genius at
+this post. Should there prove to be a shadow of truth in the allegations
+of his aide, the change of command would simplify the situation from
+whatever viewpoint it might be regarded. The country might be preserved,
+and Arnold's ambition at the same time given another opportunity.
+
+Stephen ruminated over these events as he rode leisurely along. A
+genuine satisfaction was derived from the knowledge that his chief's
+confidence in him was still unshaken. He felt that he had effected a
+change of post for the man whom, above all other men, Washington most
+admired and respected; nevertheless he felt that at the same time he was
+only executing a service which would ultimately prove to be of
+incalculable value to the army and the nation. Arnold troubled him, but
+in command of a fortress he would occasion infinitely less worry and
+apprehension than in a responsible position in the field.
+
+Marjorie delighted him. At Morristown he had found her letter; and his
+plans for the immediate present underwent a decided alteration. He had
+been ordered to make the journey to Hartford in attendance upon General
+Washington, who had already completed arrangements with Count Rochambeau
+and Admiral Ternay of the French navy for a conference there in
+reference to the proposed naval operations of the combined fleets. With
+the letter in his hand he had sought and obtained a further leave of
+absence from his Commander-in-chief in order that his own campaign for
+the winning of the lady of his heart might be brought to a quick and
+decisive termination.
+
+He had left the city, not hurt nor wounded as she had supposed, but
+somewhat disappointed at the manner of her expression. Her apparent
+coolness and unconcern he had ascribed rather to her extreme diffidence
+and shyness than to want of appreciation or sincerity. That she truly
+cared for him, he knew full well; that he would eventually win her to
+him was a faltering conviction. But, now, there was no further doubt.
+She had written him pages into which she had poured out her heart in
+generous and unmistakable accents, and which he had read and re-read
+with growing delight.
+
+Washington could not refuse his request. He made no attempt to conceal
+the nature of his mission and obtained not alone His Excellency's
+gracious permission but his sincere wishes for success as well. With a
+heart buoyant with joy and anticipation he spurred on his mare and
+pushed her to her worth in the direction of the city and the object of
+his quest.
+
+
+II
+
+He rode into the city well aware that the first news to reach him would
+be that of the exodus of the Arnolds.
+
+"You came straight through town, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes," replied Stephen.
+
+"And came here direct?" continued Mr. Allison.
+
+"I quartered my mare, first. I thought immediately of the Inn as the
+place to gather the news. So I hastened hither."
+
+"There's been heaps doin'," Jim remarked casually.
+
+"Never saw such excitement since the day of the regiment," observed the
+keeper of the Inn, a well-mannered and well-educated gentleman, above
+middle age, who held the enviable position of inn-keeper and lawyer
+alike. Every inn-keeper of this age commanded much of respect in the
+community, for it was he who received the money of the people, and money
+commanded the necessities of life--a good bed, good things to eat,
+attentive servants; but Mr. Smith, the keeper of the Old London Coffee
+House, was the most respectable inn-keeper in the city, the proud
+possessor of a very pretty library and an excellent table where
+cleanliness and decency vied with dignity and self-respect.
+
+"Arnold, you know, has left the city," volunteered Mr. Allison.
+
+"Yes, I have surmised," was the reply.
+
+"Gone, an' all belongin' to 'im."
+
+"And closed his mansion?" Stephen inquired.
+
+"Tight. Mrs. Arnold went with him. They left yesterday."
+
+"But I thought----"
+
+"To the army? I understand he had been appointed to field duty under
+Washington. Second in Command, they say. But that has been changed. He
+has gone to West Point."
+
+Stephen did not answer.
+
+"It seems," went on Mr. Allison, "that he has been seeking a change of
+post for several months. His leg still bothers him, however, and very
+likely prevented him from doing active duty in the field. On that
+account, it has been said, he was given charge of the fortress. It is an
+important post, nevertheless, and carries with it a certain amount of
+distinction."
+
+"Hope he gits along better with 'em up there 'n he did here," remarked
+Jim. "He won't hev the s'ciety folks t' bother 'im now."
+
+"When did he leave?"
+
+"No one knows. There was no demonstration of any kind. It differed much
+from the farewell of General Howe. Arnold left in disgrace, it would
+seem," said the Inn-keeper, as he moved away to give his attention to
+other business.
+
+"And Peggy gone, too?" Stephen was genuinely surprised at this, for he
+rather expected that she would remain with her mother.
+
+"I am sure that the majority of our people are greatly pleased at the
+change," said Mr. Allison. "I never saw one sink to such depths of
+contempt. He came to the city as Military Governor in a blaze of
+triumph, the most celebrated soldier in the army, whose rise to popular
+esteem was only accelerated by the knowledge of the harsh treatment
+received by him at the hands of Congress after the battle of Saratoga.
+He was the idol alike of soldiers and civilians. Their hearts were his
+without the asking. That was two years ago. Today he left the city in
+the fullness of his years, in secret, after so many plaudits, in
+obloquy, after so much honor."
+
+"It is a sad commentary on human nature," Stephen observed. "Yet in all
+things else I blame the woman. 'Cherchez la femme.'"
+
+The room already was reeky from the clouds of tobacco smoke streaming
+upwards from the pipes of the several guests who were lounging in small
+groups about the room. There were several parties in as many corners,
+each wholly unconcerned about the other. The conversation of our trio
+was therefore private insofar as any privacy can be expected in an inn.
+Only the boisterous individual made himself heard, and then only to the
+displeasure of the others.
+
+Leaving the two at the Inn, Stephen bade them adieu and directed his
+journey in the direction of Second Street. Hastening his steps he soon
+reached the Germantown road, and as he turned the bend perceived the
+familiar outline of the Allison home. Little did he suspect, however,
+that the curtains of one of the upper windows concealed a lithe form and
+that his swift gait was being interpreted with a world of meaning. He
+laid his hand on the gate, and even then Marjorie had opened the door to
+meet him.
+
+
+III
+
+"First of all," she said, "how long may you remain? Will you dine with
+us, or what?"
+
+"I shall be most pleased. I have several days. His Excellency has gone
+to Hartford to engage in conference. It was intended that I should
+accompany the staff. I begged leave, however, to return to
+Philadelphia."
+
+They were seated on the sofa in the distant corner of the parlor. They
+were quite alone now for the first time, the mother having asked to be
+excused after many minutes with the announcement that since he would be
+pleased to remain, the supper must needs be prepared. No, Marjorie need
+not help her. She might entertain Captain Meagher.
+
+"It's glorious to see you again," he said, sitting down beside her after
+Mrs. Allison had departed from the room.
+
+"I am glad you have come," she replied softly, rubbing her hand across
+her apron as if to arrange it neatly.
+
+"But you knew that I would come, didn't you?"
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"And yet I greatly feared that it would not be possible. Preparations
+are being made for the final campaign, and it is expected that the
+French will be asked to play an important part."
+
+"It was very generous of His Excellency to grant you leave."
+
+He began to smile.
+
+"Could you guess how I obtained it?" he asked.
+
+She turned to regard him.
+
+"What have you done?" she asked soberly.
+
+"Showed him your letter."
+
+"Stephen!" she gasped as she drew back.
+
+Neither spoke. He continued to smile at her apparent concern, while she
+stared at him.
+
+"Do you mean it?" she asked; then quickly--"or are you teasing?"
+
+"I did. I showed the letter to him, and asked if I might return to you."
+
+"He read it?"
+
+"There! There! I am joking. He did not read it, but I did have it in my
+hand, and I told him about you and that I was going back to take you
+with me."
+
+Satisfied, she allowed herself to assume a more relaxed composure.
+
+"You are going to destroy it, aren't you?"
+
+He took it from his pocket and looked at it. She, too, glanced at it,
+and then at him.
+
+"May I keep it? I treasure every word of it, you know."
+
+"Did you but know how it was composed, you might ridicule me."
+
+"I suppose you closed yourself behind some great veil to shut out the
+world from your view. Your mind toiled with thought until you were
+resolved upon the heroic. There was no scheme nor formula; your quill
+ran on and on in obedience to the flood of ideas which inspired it."
+
+She lapsed into meditation; but she recovered herself immediately.
+
+"No," she shook her head slowly though steadily. "At midnight with the
+aid of a little candle which burned itself out quite before the end."
+
+He looked up sharply.
+
+"That night?"
+
+She nodded.
+
+He put his arms around her and drew her close. She made no resistance,
+but allowed herself to fall into his embrace.
+
+"Marjorie!" he whispered.
+
+She yielded both her hands to his grasp and felt them compressed within
+it.
+
+"You were not hurt at my seeming indiscretion?"
+
+"I told you in my letter that I was not."
+
+"Then you do love me?"
+
+She drew back a little as if to glance at him.
+
+"You know that I do," was the soft, reassuring answer.
+
+"Won't you let me hear you say it?" he pleaded.
+
+Reaching out, she put both arms about him and offered her lips to his,
+whispering at the same time only what he was destined to hear.
+
+Presently the old clock began to strike the hour of five.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+I
+
+"Father! Father! Where are you? Arnold has betrayed! He has betrayed his
+country!"
+
+Breathless, Marjorie rushed into the hallway, leaving the door ajar
+behind her. It was late in the afternoon of a September day. The air was
+soft and hazy, tempered with just the chill of evening that comes at
+this time of the year before sundown.
+
+More than two months had passed, months crowded with happiness which had
+filled her life with fancy. Her engagement to Captain Meagher had been
+announced, quietly and simply; their marriage was to take place in the
+fall. Day after day sped by and hid themselves in the records of time
+until the event, anxiously awaited, yet equally dreaded, was but a bare
+month distant. It would be a quiet affair after all, with no ostentation
+or display; but that would in no wise prevent her from looking her
+prettiest.
+
+And so on this September afternoon while she was visiting the shops for
+the purpose of discovering whatever tempting and choice bits of ware
+they might have to offer, she thought she heard the blast of a trumpet
+from the direction of the balcony of the old Governor's Mansion.
+Attracted by the sound, which recalled to her mind a former occasion
+when the news of the battle of Monmouth was brought to the city by
+courier and announced to the public, she quickened her steps in the
+direction of the venerable building. True, a man was addressing the
+people who had congregated beneath the balcony. Straining every faculty
+she caught the awful news.
+
+Straightway she sped homewards, running as often as her panting breath
+would allow. She did not wait to open the door, but seemed to burst
+through it.
+
+"What was that, child?" her father asked quickly as he met her in the
+dining-room.
+
+"Arnold ... Arnold ..." she repeated, waiting to catch her breath.
+
+"Has betrayed, you say?"
+
+"West Point."
+
+"My God! We are lost."
+
+He threw his hands heavenwards and started across the floor.
+
+"What is it, Marjorie?" asked the mother, who now stood in the
+passageway, a corner of her apron held in both hands, a look of wonder
+and suspicion full upon her.
+
+"No, Father!" the girl replied, apparently heedless of her mother's
+presence, "West Point is saved. Arnold has gone."
+
+"Let him go. But West Point is still ours? Thank God! He is with the
+British, I suppose?"
+
+"So they say. The plot was discovered in the nick of time. His
+accomplice was captured and the papers found upon him."
+
+"When did this happen?"
+
+"Only a few days ago. The courier was dispatched at once to the members
+of Congress. The message was delivered today."
+
+"And General Arnold tried to sell West Point to the British?" commented
+Mrs. Allison, who had listened as long as possible to the disconnected
+story. "A scoundrel of a man."
+
+"Three Americans arrested a suspicious man in the neighborhood of
+Tarrytown. Upon searching him they discovered some papers in the
+handwriting of Arnold containing descriptions of the fortress. They took
+him for a spy."
+
+"I thought as much," said Mrs. Allison. "Didn't I tell you that Arnold
+would do something like that? I knew it. I knew it."
+
+"Thank God he is not one of us," was Mr. Allison's grave reply. "His act
+would only serve to fan into fury the dormant flames of Pope Day."
+
+"This is an act of vengeance," Marjorie reflected. "He never forgot his
+court-martial, and evidently sought his country's ruin in revenge.
+Adversities he could contend with; humiliation he could not endure."
+
+The little group presented a varied scene. The girl, young, tender, was
+plainly animated with a strong undercurrent of excitement which thrilled
+her entire frame, flushing her cheeks and sparkling in her eyes. Her
+tender years, her inexperience with the world, her guileless mind and
+frank open manner had not yet prepared her for the enormity of the crime
+which had of a sudden been flashed full upon her. For the moment
+realization had given way to wonder. She sensed only the magnitude of
+the tragedy without its atrocious and more insidious details. On the
+other hand there was the father, composed and imperturbable, to whom the
+disclosure of this scheme of the blackest treason was but another
+chapter added to the year of disasters which was just coming to a close.
+His more astute mind, schooled by long experience with the world and its
+artifices, had taught him to view the transit of events with a certain
+philosophy, a sort of pragmatic philosophy, with reference to the causes
+and the results of events and how they bore on the practical utility of
+all concerned; and finally the mother, who in her devout and pious way,
+saw only the Holy Will of God working in all things for His own praise
+and glory.
+
+"And they found the dispatches in his own writing?" the father asked
+deliberately.
+
+"In his stockings, beneath the soles of his feet."
+
+Again there was silence.
+
+"He is a prisoner?"
+
+"Of course. He was arrested for a spy. They say he is an Adjutant in the
+British army. He was in full disguise."
+
+"Hm!"
+
+Mr. Allison set his lips.
+
+"I think," continued Marjorie, "that it was the effect of a stroke of
+good fortune. He was taken by three men who were lying in wait for
+robbers. Otherwise he might have continued his journey in safety and the
+plot would have succeeded."
+
+"Thank God and His Blessed Mother!" breathed Mrs. Allison as she clasped
+her hands together before her in an attitude of prayer.
+
+"And Arnold?" methodically asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"He escaped to the British lines. I do not know how, but it seems that
+he has departed. The one important item, which pleased and interested
+the people, was the capture of the spy and the frustration of the plot."
+
+The father left the chair and began to pace the room, his hands behind
+him.
+
+"It is a bad blow. Too bad! Too bad!" he repeated. "I do not like it,
+for it will destroy the courage and confidence of our people. Arnold
+was the idol of the army, and I fear that his defection will create a
+great change of heart."
+
+"The army will be better off without him," said Mrs. Allison.
+
+"I agree with you," was the reply. "But the people may decide in a
+different manner. There is reason for worry."
+
+"What was the effect of Lee's attempted treason?" spoke up Marjorie.
+"The people loathe him, and he will die an outcast."
+
+"There is no punishment too severe for Lee. He has been from the start
+nothing but a selfish adventurer. But the cases are not parallel. Lee
+was never popular with the army. Arnold, you must remember, was the most
+successful leader in the field and the officer most prized by the
+Commander-in-chief."
+
+"Nevertheless he will sink as fast as he climbed, I think. The country
+must not tolerate a traitor."
+
+"Must not! But will not the circumstance alter the case? I say that
+unless the proofs of Arnold's treason are irrefutable, the people will
+be slow to believe. I don't like it. I don't."
+
+There was some logic in his argument which began to impress Marjorie.
+Arnold could exercise a tremendous amount of influence over the army.
+Whether the strings of loyalty which had united their hearts with his
+would be now snapped by his act of perfidy was the mooted question. As a
+matter of fact a spirit of mutiny already was beginning to make itself
+manifest. The soldiers of Pennsylvania who were encamped on the heights
+of Morristown marched out of camp the following January and set out for
+Philadelphia. They were rebuked by Washington, who sent a letter by
+General Wayne, whereupon they returned to their posts. Later in the same
+month another mutiny occurred among the New Jersey troops, but this,
+too, was quickly suppressed. Just how much responsibility for these
+uprisings might be traced to the treason of Arnold can not be estimated.
+There is no question, however, that his act was not wholly unproductive
+of its psychological effects.
+
+"I feel so sorry for Peggy," Marjorie sighed.
+
+"The young wife has a sore burden thrown upon her. A sorry day it was
+when she met him," was Mrs. Allison's comment.
+
+"Strange, I never suspected Peggy for a moment," Marjorie said. "I had
+been raised with her and thought we knew each other. I am sorry, very
+sorry."
+
+"We do not know how much she is concerned with this," announced Mr.
+Allison, "but her ambition knew no restraint or limitation. She has her
+peerage now."
+
+"And her husband?"
+
+"The grave of a traitor, the sole immortality of degraded ambition,
+religious prejudice, treason and infamy."
+
+"God help him!" exclaimed Mrs. Allison.
+
+
+II
+
+In July, 1780, General Arnold had been placed in command of West Point;
+two months later he was safe on board the British sloop-of-war,
+_Vulture_. He had attempted to betray his country; he received in
+exchange six thousand pounds sterling, together with a brigadiership in
+the British Army.
+
+From the time he left Philadelphia until the morning of his flight he
+had kept up a continual correspondence with John Anderson. Information
+was at length conveyed to him that Sir Henry Clinton was in possession
+of advices that the American Commander-in-chief contemplated an advance
+on New York by way of King's Bridge. Clinton's scheme would allow the
+army of General Washington to move upon the city, having collected all
+his magazines at the fortification at West Point, but at a given moment
+Arnold was expected to surrender the fort and garrison and compel the
+army of Washington to retire immediately or else suffer capture in the
+field.
+
+Still Arnold felt that everything was not quite settled between Sir
+Henry and himself, and wrote accordingly, advising that a written
+guarantee be forwarded or delivered in person to him by an officer of
+Sir Henry's staff of his own mensuration. He was informed by way of
+reply that the necessary meeting might be arranged, and that the
+emissary would be the Adjutant-General of the British Army.
+
+Accordingly the British sloop _Vulture_ moved up the river as far as
+Stony Point, bearing the Adjutant-General. Arnold had fixed on the house
+of Joshua Smith as the place for the meeting. On the night of the
+twenty-first of September, he sent a boat to the _Vulture_ which brought
+the emissary shore. In a thick grove of cedars, in the shroud of the
+blackest night, Arnold waited the return of the rowboat, its oars
+muffled with sheepskins, its passenger on board. The latter sprang
+lightly to the shore, his large blue watchcoat and high boots alone
+visible. As he climbed the bank and approached the grove, he threw back
+his cloak and revealed the full British uniform of a general officer.
+
+"Anderson?" Arnold exclaimed. "You?"
+
+"No! André, Major André," was the reply.
+
+"Hm! I thought as much. I suspected you from the moment I met you in
+Philadelphia."
+
+"Come. Let us finish. I must return before daybreak."
+
+"Where is your disguise? I advised you to come in disguise."
+
+He understood the piercing glance.
+
+"I have come thus under General Clinton's orders," was the reply. "My
+safety lies in open uniform."
+
+"Let it go at that. Here! I have with me the plans of West Point,
+together with a full inventory of its armament and stores and a roster
+of its garrison."
+
+André took the papers and glanced at them as best he could by means of
+the lantern light.
+
+"But I do not see here a written promise to surrender the fortress?"
+
+"No! Nor, by Heaven, you shall not receive it," Arnold snapped. "I have
+given my word. That is enough. I have already placed myself in your
+hands by these plans and inventories made in my own handwriting. This is
+all.... No more."
+
+"General Washington visits here on Saturday?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The surrender must take place that night."
+
+Arnold looked fiercely at him. This was one matter which seemed
+intolerable. To betray his country was treason; to betray his sole
+friend and benefactor was unknown to him by any name in the English
+language. He refused absolutely. André insisted, and the discussion
+became violent.
+
+Neither became aware of the dawn which was about to break through the
+thicket of fir-trees which bounded the opposite bank of the Hudson.
+Still the details had not been arranged; the matter of Arnold's reward
+was still unsettled. There had been various promises of compensation,
+maintenance of military rank, a peerage or a viceroyalty in one of the
+colonies, but André was empowered to offer no more than compensation and
+military rank. With the dawning light, the boatmen became alarmed and
+refused to take André back to his ship, with the result that the two
+conspirators were obliged to pass the time until the next night in the
+house of Joshua Smith.
+
+It so happened that the day brought to pass an unforeseen accident.
+Livingston, the Colonel of "Congress' Own," in command of the batteries
+on the opposite side of the river at Verplanck's Point, opened fire upon
+the _Vulture_, compelling her to drop down the river. It was necessary,
+therefore, for Major André to proceed by land down the opposite shore
+until he had met with his vessel, and so late at night he departed, his
+uniform and coat exchanged for a disguise, the six papers in Arnold's
+handwriting crammed between his stockings and feet.
+
+It also happened, by a strange irony of fate, that a party of American
+soldiers had set out that very morning to intercept a band of robbers
+who had infested the roadways of this neighborhood, and who had rendered
+the highways impassable because of their depredations. Near Tarrytown,
+three of this party confronted a passing traveler, and leveling their
+muskets at him, ordered him to halt. They were obeyed on the instant,
+and because of the suspicious manner of the stranger, a complete search
+of him was made. The set of papers was found in their hiding place, and
+he was placed under arrest, and sent to North Castle. There the papers
+were examined, and instead of being sent to General Arnold himself,
+were forwarded to His Excellency, who was known to be lodged at West
+Point. At the same time a complementary letter was sent to General
+Arnold, informing him of what had taken place.
+
+He was at breakfast when the news was brought him. The letter was
+crumbled in his hand as he hastily arose from the table and rushed to
+Peggy's room where he acquainted her of his fate. She screamed and
+fainted. He stooped to kiss his sleeping child; then rushing from the
+house was soon mounted and on his way to the place where he knew a barge
+had been anchored. Jumping aboard he ordered the oarsmen to take him to
+the _Vulture_, eighteen miles down the river. Next morning he was safe
+within the enemy's lines at New York.
+
+
+III
+
+The minute details of the attempted plot had not filtered into
+Philadelphia when a demonstration had begun in celebration of its
+frustration. Spontaneously and exuberantly the citizens of the city
+gathered in the public square and for several hours the joy-making
+continued with unabated energy and enthusiasm. Like a flash it seemed
+that the full realization of what this news had meant broke like a
+rushing tide upon their consciousness. The country had been threatened;
+but the danger had been averted.
+
+In a few hours the streets were mad with hundreds of people singing and
+shouting and marching in unrestrained glee. Bulletins had been posted in
+the public square acquainting the people of the great facts, yet this
+did not begin to equal the amount of news which had been relayed from
+mouth to mouth and grew in detail and magnitude as it went. Chains,
+trays, broken iron were dragged in rattling bundles up and down the
+streets amid the laughs and cheers of the mass of humanity that had
+swarmed upon the roadways and sidewalks.
+
+Marjorie and her father were among the early arrivals on Market Street.
+Little by little items of information came to them as they alternately
+talked with their many acquaintances. Out of the many and varied
+accounts one or two points had stood out prominently--Arnold had
+attempted to surrender the fortress while Washington was lodged there in
+the hope that complete disaster would befall the American cause; he had
+completed negotiations with the British emissary; who was known as Major
+André, whom the people of Philadelphia associated with the person of
+John Anderson, a frequent visitor of the Arnolds during their stay in
+the city; the officer had been taken prisoner by the American forces and
+the papers found upon him; while Arnold and his wife had escaped to the
+British forces in the city of New York.
+
+When the gayety seemed to have attained its climax, a procession began
+to wend its way through the howling crowd. There was no attempt at
+regular formation, the multitude trailing along in whatever order seemed
+most desirable to them. In the midst of the line of march, two gaunt
+figures towered aloft over the heads of the marchers, the one bearing a
+placard upon which was scrawled the name "Arnold the traitor," the
+other, "André the spy." These were carried with great acclaim several
+times around the city until the procession rested at the square, where
+amid cheers and huzzas they were publicly burned. This seemed to
+satisfy the crowd, for they gradually began to disperse. The hour was
+late and Marjorie and her father journeyed homewards, passing the
+watchman at the corner as he announced the hour, "Eleven o'clock and
+Arnold is burned."
+
+The state bordering on frenzy into which the mob had been cast was
+responsible, for the most part, for the violence of the celebration,
+nevertheless there stood many sober and composed individuals apart from
+the ranks who had looked on in silent acquiescence during the riotous
+proceedings. Arnold had fallen to the lowest ebb of infamy and contempt
+so that even his past services were entirely forgotten. There was no
+palliation. There were no extenuating circumstances. The enormity of his
+crime alone mattered. His name could not be mentioned without a shudder.
+
+Mount Pleasant was not permitted to remain idle. It soon was seized by
+the city authorities and rented to Baron Steuben, the disciplinarian of
+the American Army and the author of its first Manual of Arms. The
+household furniture, too, had been removed and offered for sale at
+public auction, while the coach and four was bought by a trader at the
+Coffee House. Arnold's presence in the city was now no more than a
+memory--a memory, indeed, but a sad one.
+
+"He would never escape the fury of that crowd," Mr. Allison observed to
+his daughter as the two journeyed homewards.
+
+"They would surely put him to death."
+
+"If they ever lay hands on him--they might perhaps cut off his wounded
+leg, but the rest of him they would burn."
+
+She considered.
+
+"I can scarce believe it--it seems too awful."
+
+"Well! I never could see much good in a bigot. A man with a truly broad
+and charitable soul has no room in him for base designs. Arnold would
+crucify us if he could, yet we have lived to see him repudiated by his
+own."
+
+"It does seem after all that God takes care of His own. Even the sparrow
+does not fall to the ground."
+
+Plainly the spirit of the evening had awakened a serious vein of thought
+in the two. They could take no delight in a tragedy so intimately
+interwoven with pity and compassion. The fate of the two principal
+actors, the courageous Arnold and the ambitious André, erstwhile known
+as Anderson, could not fail to touch their hearts. Their lot was not
+enviable; but it was lamentable.
+
+"And John Anderson, too," said Marjorie, "I cannot believe it."
+
+"When the truth is known, I am of the opinion that he will be more
+pitied and less condemned. Arnold was the chief actor. André a mere
+pawn."
+
+"How brilliant he was! You remember his visits? The afternoon at the
+piano?"
+
+"Yes. He was talented. But to what purpose?"
+
+"I am sorry."
+
+And so were the many.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+I
+
+"Stephen, wilt thou take Marjorie here present for thy lawful wife,
+according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?"
+
+Audibly and distinctly resounded the voice of Father Farmer throughout
+the little church as he read from the Roman Ritual the form of the
+sacrament of Matrimony.
+
+"I will," answered Stephen deliberately.
+
+"Marjorie, wilt thou take Stephen here present for thy lawful husband,
+according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?"
+
+"I will," was the soft response.
+
+The two then joined their right hands and repeated one after the other
+the pledge by which they took each other for man and wife; Stephen
+first, then Marjorie.
+
+"I, Stephen, take thee Marjorie for my lawful wife, to have and to hold,
+from this day forward, for better; for worse, for richer, for poorer, in
+sickness and in health, until death do us part."
+
+Solemnly and reverently the priest raised his right hand over them as he
+pronounced the blessing.
+
+"Ego conjungo vos in matrimonium, in nomine Patris et Filii, et Spiritus
+Sancti, Amen."
+
+The ring having been blessed before them, Stephen placed it on
+Marjorie's finger saying the prescribed words, after which they awaited
+the prayers of the priest. Father Farmer turned to the altar and at
+once began the Nuptial Mass, according to the ceremony of the Catholic
+Church, and pronounced over them the Nuptial Blessing.
+
+This made an end of the marriage ceremony.
+
+
+It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Marjorie as she turned
+from the sanctuary and made her way down the aisle of the little church.
+Her hand lay on Stephen's arm, but it seemed to her as if she were
+hanging from it. She was happy; that, of course. But she thought, too,
+that she was extremely nervous, and the more she thought over herself,
+the more she felt that she appeared extremely self-conscious.
+
+The church was quite filled with friends, yet she dared not look up to
+measure its capacity, but guarded her eyes with the strictest custody.
+The organ was playing an appropriate march which she tried to follow in
+her mind in order that she might thereby absorb the greater part of her
+attention. Stephen was with her, for she could feel him, although she
+was quite certain that she never laid an eye on him during the whole
+time. Her people were there, so were her many friends and acquaintances,
+and Stephen's relatives and friends as well, but these, too, were absent
+as far as her concentration of mind was concerned. Only one thought was
+uppermost in her mind and that was to leave the church as soon as
+possible, for she felt that every eye was focused upon her.
+
+It had been intended that the affair should be charmingly simple, both
+on account of the sad and melancholy days through which the country was
+passing and the natural tendencies of the parties concerned to avoid all
+semblance of display. Their names had been published at three public
+masses; the Catholic Church required that. They had been married by
+Father Farmer with a nuptial high mass. The wedding breakfast would be
+served at the home of the bride. But the number of invited guests would
+be limited strictly to the members of the family and one or two intimate
+friends so as to include Jim Cadwalader and Sergeant Griffin.
+Furthermore there would be no honeymoon on account of the uncertainty
+which invariably had defined the duration of Stephen's stay in the city.
+
+It was only when the little party, Marjorie and Stephen's sister, her
+maid of honor, and Stephen and Sergeant Griffin, his best man, had
+settled down into the coach, that Marjorie for the first time became
+composed. A great sigh of relief escaped from her as she sat back, her
+bouquet in her hand, and looked at the dispersing crowd. She could not
+tell yet whether she was happy or not; the excitement had not subsided
+enough to allow her to regain her self-possession and equanimity.
+Stephen was by her side. That was about all she knew,--or cared.
+
+Stephen was in his characteristically reticent mood. Already had he
+observed that he would have endured another Valley Forge with greater
+pleasure than the ordeal of a wedding ceremony. Still he was nicely
+dressed for the occasion, wearing for the first time a new full dress
+uniform of buff and blue. The interested spectator might have discerned,
+too, that he wore for the first time a new insignia of rank; for he was
+now a Major of the Continental Army, having received that promotion,
+upon the recommendation of His Excellency, for distinguished service,
+together with a warm message of congratulation upon his approaching
+marriage. Nevertheless he was unmoved through it all, betraying but one
+concern, and that was administration to the most trivial wants of his
+blushing and timid bride.
+
+It was the time of joy, of pure, unalloyed joy, yet he could not banish
+altogether from his mind the memories of the past two years, years
+crowded with events in his life and that of his beloved. There was,
+indeed, much to be thankful for, and notwithstanding his exceedingly
+great glee and the day of gladness which had dawned for him flooding his
+heart with exultation and complacent satisfaction, still a prayer of
+praise poured forth from his lips to the Giver of every best and perfect
+gift.
+
+The American Revolution had unfolded a wonderful story, a story of
+anti-Catholicism, of persecution and prejudice which had resolved itself
+step by step into a state of complete freedom of action and religious
+liberty. The Church was at length free, free to gather her children into
+congregations where she might speak to them and instruct them without
+any fear. Now she was at liberty to fulfill her mission of winning souls
+to Christ. True, her children were widely scattered, a bare twenty-five
+thousand out of a population of about three millions, whose wants were
+administered to by no more than twenty-five priests. Yet out of this
+contemptible little body there emerged a people, honorable, respectable,
+and of such consequence as to deserve commendation from the First
+President for "the patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment
+of their Revolution and the establishment of your government," as well
+as causing to be inserted in the Constitution of the new republic the
+clause that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification
+for any office or public trust under the United States." There was of
+course much to be desired; but the foundations had been laid, and the
+prospect for the future was auspicious.
+
+And so they rode through the city streets joyfully, merrily,
+light-heartedly. Conversation, interspersed with laughter and
+jocularity, literally ran riot, so impatiently did each attempt to
+relate what was uppermost in his or her mind. The ceremony, the music,
+the procession, the multitude obtained their due amount of comment,
+until the arrival of the coach at the door of the Allison home put an
+end to the session.
+
+
+II
+
+"A health, ladies and gentlemen, to the bride. May she live long and
+never form the acquaintanceship of sorrow!"
+
+Stephen's father had arisen from his chair and with his goblet held
+before him addressed the company.
+
+It was drunk with evident pleasure. Then Mr. Allison arose.
+
+"To Major Meagher, that his brilliant career be only the commencement of
+a life of extraordinary achievement!"
+
+This was followed by a round of applause. Stephen smiled and bowed his
+head, but it was plain to be seen that his father's chest had expanded
+more than an appreciable trifle. Marjorie was happy and whispered a word
+to her newly formed sister-in-law who was seated by her side. It was a
+jolly group who had surrounded the table, all bent on doing honor to the
+happy couple, but none appeared more so than Jim Cadwalader and his
+wife, Nancy.
+
+"I tell you," said Jim, "they're a right fine pair."
+
+"I am afraid, Jim, you have not forgiven me quite for excluding you
+from that meeting," Stephen suggested.
+
+"I'm the proud'st man this side o' the river t' think I gave y' me
+clothes. Y'd never got on widout me."
+
+There was an outburst of laughter.
+
+"You would have been captured, had you gone in there. I saved you."
+
+"Yes, an' the girl, there, did it. Don't ye furgit that, either. I'll
+tell on y'," replied Jim, nodding his head emphatically. "She got me
+caught."
+
+"Jim!" Marjorie exclaimed loudly.
+
+"Now do not lay the blame on her," Stephen cautioned with a smile. "You
+yourself were only too anxious to get there. You wanted to see yourself
+in a new uniform."
+
+"I did, then. I was terr'bly anxious t' see meself in a red suit, wasn't
+I?"
+
+The company enjoyed this exchange of repartee and laughed continually.
+Jim ever enjoyed the distinction of being tormented by the members of
+whatever gathering he was in, yet it was never known when he was
+powerless of providing for himself.
+
+And so they talked far into the morning. They sat in groups of twos and
+threes, long after the table had been cleared, while the willing
+helpers, the good neighbors, plied themselves industriously out in the
+kitchen with the cleaning of the dishes and the restoration of the house
+again to its proper order. Marjorie and her mother looked in through the
+doorway from time to time at the progress of the work, only to be
+banished as quickly by the cohort of willing toilers. For once in their
+lives the girl and her fond mother mingled entirely with the guests and
+took their full measure of enjoyment with the company.
+
+As the guests departed one after the other, leaving behind them many
+benedictions and choice wishes for the bride and groom, the house
+settled down to its accustomed quietude and uniformity with the
+immediate family, Jim and his wife alone remaining. Jim, like every
+recognized master in his own household, sat with his one leg across the
+other, enjoying his tobacco, while his less aristocratic helpmate took
+care that the kitchen affairs were given their due amount of attention.
+With abatement of the excitement and commotion the members of the family
+betook themselves upon various journeys, the father to look at his fire
+so as to give it, if needed, a few generous pokes; the mother, to the
+kitchen to add a touch here and there to the arrangement of its
+utensils; Marjorie to her room in order that she might once more robe
+herself in her plainer and more habitual apparel. The festivities were
+at an end and the practical things of life again asserted their stern
+reality.
+
+
+III
+
+At length Stephen and Marjorie were alone, alone in their own little
+world of fancies and dreams. They were standing by the upstairs window
+looking out at the little fence where they had stood together more than
+two years before on the afternoon of his arrest. Stephen recalled his
+impressions of her then, yet she was more beautiful now, he thought. She
+had changed her gown of white for one of pink, and as she stood there,
+her lips a little parted in a tiny smile, her soft cheeks heightened in
+color, her bright eyes looking out into the memories of the past, she
+seemed for all the world to Stephen like an enchanted being.
+
+"What are you thinking of, girlie?" he asked as he stood behind her, his
+arm about her waist.
+
+There was no response.
+
+"Tell me, won't you?" he pleaded.
+
+She continued to gaze into the roadway.
+
+"Aren't you happy?"
+
+"Oh! Yes.... Yes.... I was never so happy. I ... I...."
+
+"What is it? Please, tell me. I fear that you are disturbed over
+something."
+
+She did not answer but turned and seized the lapels of his coat with
+both her hands. Then she raised her face to his and looked straight into
+his eyes.
+
+"I was thinking how much I have really cared for you without ever
+knowing it."
+
+"Is that all?" he laughed, as he folded his arms about her.
+
+"And how unkind I have been to you all the while."
+
+"There! There! You must not say that again. Promise me you will not so
+much as think it."
+
+Again there was silence, but only for a moment.
+
+"But I must have hurt you often. And to think that I never realized it."
+
+"You are happy now, aren't you?"
+
+She looked up again with only love in her eyes.
+
+"Stephen!" she whispered.
+
+She was lost in his embrace and felt only his breath against her cheek.
+
+
+The world lived in them.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+_Printed in U. S. A_.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett
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+
+<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
+  <head>
+    <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" />
+    <title>
+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett.
+    </title>
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+
+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Loyalist
+       A Story of the American Revolution
+
+Author: James Francis Barrett
+
+Release Date: August 8, 2008 [EBook #26217]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOYALIST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, Martin Pettit and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+<div class="center"><img src="images/titlepage.jpg" width='440' height='700' alt="THE LOYALIST A Story of the American Revolution BY JAMES FRANCIS BARRETT
+[Illustration: Publisher's logo] P. J. KENEDY &amp; SONS NEW YORK" /></div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Copyright, 1920, By<br />P. J. Kenedy &amp; Sons, New York</span></p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Printed in U. S. A.</i></p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4>TO<br />MY SISTER<br />AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF<br />LOVE AND ESTEEM</h4>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+<div class="index">
+<ul>
+<li><a href="#FOREWORD">FOREWORD</a></li>
+<li><a href="#THE_LOYALIST">PART ONE</a>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX</a></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><a href="#PART_TWO">PART TWO</a>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AI">CHAPTER I</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AII">CHAPTER II</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AIII">CHAPTER III</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AIV">CHAPTER IV</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AV">CHAPTER V</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AVI">CHAPTER VI</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AVII">CHAPTER VII</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AVIII">CHAPTER VIII</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AIX">CHAPTER IX</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AX">CHAPTER X</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_AXI">CHAPTER XI</a></li>
+</ul></li>
+<li><a href="#PART_THREE">PART THREE</a>
+<ul>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BI">CHAPTER I</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BII">CHAPTER II</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BIII">CHAPTER III</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BIV">CHAPTER IV</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BV">CHAPTER V</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BVI">CHAPTER VI</a></li>
+	<li class="subitem"><a href="#CHAPTER_BVII">CHAPTER VII</a></li>
+</ul></li>
+</ul>
+</div>
+
+<hr />
+
+<h2><a name="FOREWORD" id="FOREWORD"></a>FOREWORD</h2>
+
+<p>Historical facts constitute the background of this story. Its hero and
+its heroine are, of course, fictitious; but the deportment of General
+Arnold, the Shippen family, the several military and civic personages
+throughout the story is described, for the most part, accurately and in
+conformity with the sober truths of history. Pains have been taken to
+depict the various historical episodes which enter into the story&mdash;such
+as the attempted formation of the Regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers,
+the court-martial of Major General Arnold, the Military Mass on the
+occasion of the anniversary of American Independence&mdash;with as much
+fidelity to truth as possible. The anti-Catholic sentences, employed in
+the reprimand of Captain Meagher, are anachronisms; they are identical,
+however, with utterances made in the later life of Benedict Arnold. The
+influence of Peggy Shippen upon her husband is vouched for by eminent
+authority.</p>
+
+<p>Due appreciation and sincere gratitude must be expressed to those
+authors from whom much information has been taken,&mdash;to John Gilmary
+Shea, in his "History of the Catholic Church in the United States"; to
+Martin I. J. Griffin's "Catholics and the American Revolution"; to F. J.
+Stimson's excellent work, "Memoirs of Benedict Arnold"; to John Fiske's
+"American Revolution," and to the many other works which have freely
+been made use of in the course of this writing. Cordial thanks are also
+due to those who have generously assisted by suggestions and criticisms,
+and especially to those who have devoted their valuable moments to the
+revision of the proof sheets.</p>
+
+<p class="right">J. F. B.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p>
+
+<h1><a name="THE_LOYALIST" id="THE_LOYALIST"></a>THE LOYALIST</h1>
+
+<h2>PART ONE</h2>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<p>"Please continue, Peggy. You were telling me who were there and what
+they wore. Oh, dear! I am so sorry mother would not give me leave to go.
+Was it all too gay?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was wonderful!" was the deliberate reply. "We might have danced till
+now had not Washington planned that sudden attack. We had to leave
+then,&mdash;that was early this morning,&mdash;and I spent the day abed."</p>
+
+<p>It was now well into the evening and the two girls had been seated for
+the longest time, it seemed, on the small sofa which flanked the east
+wall of the parlor. The dusk, which had begun to grow thick and fast
+when Marjorie had come to visit Peggy, was now quite absorbed into
+darkness; still the girls had not lighted the candles, choosing to
+remain in the dark until the story of the wonderful experience of the
+preceding day had been entirely related.</p>
+
+<p>The grand pageant and mock tournament, the celebrated Mischienza,
+arranged in honor of General Howe, who had resigned his office as
+Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces in America to return to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>
+England, there to defend himself against his enemies in person, as
+General Burgoyne was now doing from his seat in Parliament, was an event
+long to be remembered not alone from the extravagance of its display,
+but from the peculiar prominence it afforded the foremost families of
+the city, particularly that of the Shippens.</p>
+
+<p>Edward Shippen was a gentleman of rank, of character, of fortune, a
+member of one of the oldest and most respected families in the city of
+Philadelphia, whose ancestor, of the same name, had been Mayor of the
+city nigh an hundred years before. He belonged to the Society of
+Friends, or Quakers, and while he took no active interest on either side
+during the years of the war, still he was generally regarded as one of
+the sympathizers of the Crown. Because of the social eminence which the
+family enjoyed and the brilliance and genial hospitality which
+distinguished their affairs, the Shippens were considered the undisputed
+leaders of the social set of Philadelphia. The three lovely Misses
+Shippen were the belles of the more aristocratic class. They were
+toasted frequently by the gay English officers during the days of the
+British occupation, for their father's house was often the rendezvous of
+the titled celebrities of the day.</p>
+
+<p>"And was your Captain there, too?" continued Marjorie, referring, of
+course, to Captain Monstresor, the engineer of the undertaking, an
+erstwhile admirer of Mistress Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"You must know, my dear, that he arranged the spectacle. I saw little of
+him until the dance. In truth, he seemed more popular than General Howe
+himself."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie sat up.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p><p>"Tell me! Did the tournament begin the program?"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" replied Peggy. "The military procession of boats and barges with
+Lords Howe and Rawdon, General Howe and General Clinton, opened the
+event in the late morning, sailing up the river to the Wharton House,
+the scene of the tournament."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie nodded.</p>
+
+<p>"The noise of the guns was deafening. When the flotilla arrived at
+Walnut Grove, which was lined with troops and bedecked brilliantly with
+flags and bunting, the pageant opened."</p>
+
+<p>"Where were you in the meantime?" asked Marjorie, careful to lose no
+detail.</p>
+
+<p>"We were seated in the pavilions,&mdash;seven ladies in each,&mdash;clothed in
+Turkish garments, each wearing in her turban the favor to be bestowed on
+her victorious knight."</p>
+
+<p>"And who was your knight?"</p>
+
+<p>"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," quickly replied Peggy, her eyes
+beaming with a smile of evident satisfaction and proud joy.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord Cathcart, whom I met here?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same," answered Peggy. "He was the leader of the 'Knights of the
+Blended Rose.'"</p>
+
+<p>"What an odd name!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. They were named after their device. They were dressed in
+white and red silk, mounted on gray horses and attended by esquires.
+They were preceded by a herald who bore their device, two roses
+intertwined above the motto, 'We droop when separated.' My knight rode
+at the head, attended by two British Officers, and his two esquires, the
+one bearing his lance, the other his shield emblazoned with his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>
+device&mdash;Cupid astride a lion&mdash;over the motto, Surrounded by love.'"</p>
+
+<p>"You little Tory," interrupted Marjorie. "I shall tell General
+Washington that you are disloyal and have lent your sympathy to a
+British Officer."</p>
+
+<p>"I care little. The Yankees are without refinement&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't you dare say that," snapped Marjorie, her whole being animated
+with sudden anger. "It is untrue and you know it. They are patriots
+and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me, dear," murmured Peggy, laying her hand on the arm of her
+irate friend. "I said that only in jest. I shan't continue if you are
+vexed."</p>
+
+<p>There was silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Please! I am not angry," Marjorie pleaded. "Do continue."</p>
+
+<p>"I forget my story now. What did I tell? There was so much that I am
+confused."</p>
+
+<p>"The Knights of the Rose!" suggested Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! Well, this body of knights made the circuit of the square and
+then saluted their ladies. On a sudden, a herald advanced with a
+flourish of trumpets and announced that the ladies of the Blended Rose
+excelled in wit, beauty, grace, charm and accomplishments those of the
+whole world and challenged a denial by deeds of arms. Whereupon a
+counter sound of trumpets was heard from afar and another herald
+galloped before a body of knights in black and orange silk with the
+device&mdash;a wreath of flowers surrounding a burning heart&mdash;over the motto,
+'Love and Glory.' These were the Knights of the Burning Mountain, who
+came to dispute the claim of the Knights of the Blended Rose."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p><p>"It must have been gorgeous!" exclaimed Marjorie, clasping her hands
+before her.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed it was. Well, after several preliminaries, the encounter took
+place, the knights receiving their lances together with their shields
+from their esquires, whereupon they saluted and encountered at full
+speed, shivering their spears against the shield of their adversaries.
+They next encountered and discharged their pistols and then fought with
+swords. Again the two chiefs of the warring factions, Captain Cathcart
+of the Blended Rose and Captain Watson of the Burning Mountain, met in
+mid field to try their arms as champions of their respective parties.
+They parried and thrust with true knightly valor until Major Grayson, as
+marshal of the field, intervened at the critical moment, declaring the
+ladies of both parties to be fully satisfied with the proofs of love and
+the feats of valor displayed by their knights. He then commanded the
+combatants to desist. Thus ended the tournament."</p>
+
+<p>"How wonderful!" sighed Marjorie. "I would I had been present. And your
+knight was the hero?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," replied Peggy with a smile. "I am sure that he would have
+worsted Captain Watson, had not the Major stepped in. But the banquet
+was splendid."</p>
+
+<p>"And Captain Cathcart!" reminded Marjorie, with a slight manifestation
+of instinctive envy.</p>
+
+<p>"Why! He attended me, of course," was the proud response. "Each knight
+escorted his lady through the triumphal arches erected in honor of the
+Generals who were present, along the long avenue lined on both sides
+with the troops and the colors of the army. At the third arch, which was
+dedicated to General Howe and which bore on its top a huge flying figure
+of Fame, we<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span> entered the great Hall. There refreshments were served and
+the dancing began. It continued until midnight. The windows were then
+thrown open and we witnessed the wonderful display of fireworks. And
+then the supper!</p>
+
+<p>"Gorgeous, of course!" exclaimed Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"Gorgeous, indeed!" Peggy repeated&mdash;"a great room, with fifty or more
+pier glasses, draped with green silk and hundreds of varieties of
+flowers of as many hues and shades. An hundred branches of lights,
+thousands of tapers, four hundred and thirty covers, and there must have
+been more than twelve hundred dishes. The attendants were twenty-four
+black slaves garbed oriental fashion with silver collars and bracelets.
+And then we danced and danced until dawn, when we were interrupted by
+the sound of distant cannon."</p>
+
+<p>"And then your knights were called to real war," remarked Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"For the moment all thought this to be part of the program, the signal
+for another great spectacle. Suddenly everything broke into confusion.
+The officers rushed to their commands. The rest of us betook ourselves
+as best we could. We came home and went to bed, tired in every bone.
+Mother is sorry that I attended, for she thought it too gay. But I would
+not have lost it for the world."</p>
+
+<p>And perhaps her mother was right. For Peggy was but eighteen, the
+youngest of the Shippen family. The other girls were somewhat older, yet
+the three were considered the most beautiful d&eacute;butantes of the city, the
+youngest, if in anything, the more renowned for grace and manner. Her
+face was of that plumpness to give it charm, delicate in contour, rich
+with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span> freshness of the bloom of youth. Her carriage betrayed
+breeding and dignity. And all was sweetened by a magnetism and vivacity
+that charmed all who came within her influence. Still her attitude was
+the more prepossessing than permanent.</p>
+
+<p>Like her father, she was a Quaker in many of her observances. To that
+creed she adhered with a rigorous determination. She had so often
+manifested her political sympathies, which were intensified to an
+irrational degree as appeared from passionate disclosures, that her
+father was led to observe that she was more a Tory at heart than General
+Howe himself.</p>
+
+<p>Her companion, Marjorie Allison, was about her own age, but as intensely
+American as she was English. Her parents had always lived in
+Philadelphia, as their parents had before them, coming originally from
+the Mother country to which they were now opposed in martial strife. The
+thrill of patriotism for the cause of the infant republic, which
+throbbed violently within her breast, had been inspired to enthusiasm
+more by the intense antipathy for the Church of England than for the
+government itself. This antipathy was kept alive and invigorated by the
+doleful memory of the privations and adversities endured by her
+ancestors from the agents of this same government because of their
+Catholic worship and their heroic efforts to follow their religious
+convictions.</p>
+
+<p>The sympathies of the Allisons were undivided. They were notorious
+Whigs, ardent champions of the rights which the new government so
+strongly asserted, and which they had pledged themselves stoutly to
+defend; ardent champions of the eternal principles on which the new
+republic was built. The psychology of the Allisons' allegiance did not
+differ from that of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> innumerable other families. Usually, strange to
+relate, society, while constantly moving forward with eager speed, is
+just as constantly looking backward with tender regrets. But no regrets
+were here. Religious persecution leaves no tender memories in its trail.
+Dissatisfaction with the past is seldom rendered more memorable than by
+the fanatic attempt to separate the soul from its God.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie and Peggy had been friends from girlhood. They understood each
+other very well. Each knew and appreciated the other's peculiarities,
+her virtues and her foibles, her political propensities and religious
+convictions. They never discussed their religious differences. They
+avoided such a clash out of respect for each other's convictions. Not
+so, however, in matters relating to the form of government. Marjorie was
+a Whig, an ardent champion of the rights of the Colonists, while her
+more aristocratic friend was Tory in her sentiments, moderate, it is
+true, but nevertheless at times much inclined to the extreme.
+Notwithstanding these differences, their friendship had been constant
+and they had always shared their joys and sorrows.</p>
+
+<p>The days of the British occupation of the city had been glorious ones
+for Peggy and her sisters. The love of display and finery which was
+characteristic of them was satiated by the brilliance and the gayety of
+the winter season during which the titled British Officers were f&ecirc;ted
+and entertained extravagantly. None outshone the Shippens in the
+magnificence of their entertainments. Their house was ever open in
+hospitality, and more than once it had been whispered about that their
+resources had reached the point of exhaustion.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p><p>At these functions Marjorie found herself a welcome guest. For Peggy
+took care that her little friend was never overlooked, even if on one
+occasion a pang of regret sent her to bed with copious tears when the
+favor for the evening had been bestowed upon her fair guest. Marjorie,
+however, maintained a mature composure and a marked concern, as was her
+wont, throughout it all, and Peggy again reassured herself that her
+misgivings were without foundation. For Marjorie disliked the titled
+gentry. They were without exception hostile to the faith to which she so
+steadfastly adhered. She bore with them merely for the pleasure which
+she derived from the coterie made brilliant by their participation.</p>
+
+<p>And so the winter passed, giving way to lovely, spring, whose gentle
+zephyrs dispelled the cold, the ice and the snow that had sent the
+British into the ballrooms for protection, and had afflicted and
+distressed the patriots at Valley Forge. With the advent of favorable
+weather, operations began anew; the hopes and the courage of the
+colonists were now exalted to the highest pitch. The disasters of Long
+Island and Fort Washington had been offset by the victory at Saratoga.
+While the British had taken and held the important cities of New York
+and Philadelphia as well as the town of Newport, still they had lost an
+army and had gained nothing but the ground on which they were encamped.</p>
+
+<p>Now, at the beginning of the fourth period of the war, the joyful news
+was heralded far and wide that the government of France had formally
+acknowledged the independence of the United States and that help was on
+the way to assist the Colonists in their struggle. At the same time the
+conciliatory measures of Lord<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> North in Parliament gave indication to
+the patriots that the British Government was weakening. The joy of the
+Whigs knew no bounds, and Marjorie was beside herself as she related the
+glad tidings over and over again. The fourth epoch of the war augured
+well for the success of the cause.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>In all the Colonies there was at this stage of the war no city more
+important than Philadelphia. Whatever there was among the Colonists of
+wealth, of comfort, of social refinement, of culture and of courtly
+manners was here centered. Even the houses were more imposing than
+elsewhere throughout the country. They were usually well constructed of
+stone or brick with either thatched or slated roofs. They were supplied
+with barns bursting with the opulence of the fields. The countryside
+round about was teeming with fatness. Indeed, in all the colonies no
+other place was so replete with affluence and comfort.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was it without its gentry, cultured and dignified. Its inhabitants
+were, for the most part, made up of members of old Quaker families and
+others faithful to the Church of England and devoted to the political
+principles of the Mother country,&mdash;the proud possessors of wealth and
+the exemplars of the most dignified deportment. Already were its fair
+sex renowned abroad as well as at home for their "beauty, grace and
+intelligence." They moved with all the gayety and charm of court ladies.
+The wealth and luxury of a capital city were there; for even in the
+infancy of the republic, Philadelphia had attained a distinction,
+unique<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> and pre&euml;minent. What was more natural, then, than that their
+allegiance should be divided; the so-called fashionable set adhering to
+the crown; the common townsfolk, the majority of whom were refugees from
+an obnoxious autocracy, zealously espousing the colonists' cause, and
+the middle class, who were comprised of those families holding a more or
+less neutral position in the war, and who were willing to preserve their
+estates and possessions, remaining undecided, and in their manner
+maintaining good offices with both sides throughout the strife.</p>
+
+<p>The British Army took possession of the city, after its victorious
+encounter on the Brandywine, on the twenty-sixth of September, 1777. Sir
+William Howe selected for his headquarters the finest house in the city,
+the mansion which was once the home of Governor Richard Penn, grandson
+of William Penn. Here General Howe and his staff of officers passed a
+gay winter. They were much more interested in the amusements, the
+gayeties, the dissipations carried on in this old Quaker City than in
+any efforts to capture the army of General Washington.</p>
+
+<p>The infatuate populace, indifferent to the progress of the Revolution,
+unaffected for the most part by the righteousness of the cause of the
+Colonists, became enamored of the brilliance and the fashion and the
+display of the English nobility. They cordially welcomed General Howe
+and his young officers, electing them the leaders and the favorites in
+all the social gayeties and amusements of the season. Such was the
+luxury and dissipation of the British in the city, at dinner parties,
+cock-fights, amateur theatrical performances, that Dr. Franklin was led
+to remark in Paris<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> that General Howe had not taken Philadelphia as much
+as Philadelphia had taken General Howe.</p>
+
+<p>The general plan of campaign for the year 1777 did not include the
+capture of Philadelphia. Howe had been ordered to march from New York,
+which he had taken the preceding August, to the vicinity of Albany.
+There he was to join forces with the army from Canada under General
+Burgoyne, which was to penetrate northern New York. Why he elected to
+march against Philadelphia and be obliged to retrace his steps in order
+to reach Burgoyne was unknown at the time. The total collapse of
+Burgoyne's expedition at Saratoga and the menace of the American Army
+under General Washington obliged him to alter his plan and to remain in
+the vicinity of Philadelphia, which city he made his headquarters for
+the winter.</p>
+
+<p>In the meantime the army of General Washington, which had been
+continually harassing the English forces, went into winter quarters in
+close proximity, at Valley Forge, a bare twenty miles distant, northwest
+of the city. Here the little army of the Colonists menaced the position
+of the British while enduring with heroic fortitude the severities of
+the winter season. Shoeless and shivering, the soldiers prepared these
+winter quarters of cold huts, rudely constructed; themselves overcoated
+in torn blankets, with stuffed straw in their boots for want of
+stockings. Their food was as scarce as their clothing and at one time
+more than two thousand men were reported unfit for duty because barefoot
+and otherwise naked. Many a night the men were compelled to remain
+seated by the fire for want of blankets. Day by day the supply of fuel
+diminished, and the neighborhood became more destitute of trees and
+timber.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p><p>The morale of the troops seemed to feed on misfortune; but their hopes
+and courage were suddenly intensified when the news of the Alliance with
+France reverberated throughout the camp to the booming of cannon and the
+shouts of the whole army. There was no respite, however. While the enemy
+was living in luxury and comfort in the gay city, the Continentals under
+the patience of Washington, and the military genius of Von Steuben, were
+being rounded into a toughened and well drilled fighting machine, strong
+in organization and bold in spirit, a worthy match for the rapid and
+accurate movements for which the better equipped British army was
+becoming famous.</p>
+
+<p>That Sir William Howe found it easier to loiter in Philadelphia than to
+play a strategic game against Washington in the depths of an American
+winter, was due no less to the want of decision which characterized all
+of his actions than to the stupid mismanagement with which the campaign
+of 1777 was directed. The British had gained the two most important
+American cities, New York and Philadelphia, but the entire American army
+was still in the field. The acquisition of territory was of no military
+importance while the forces of the enemy remained intact and well
+organized. Moreover, Burgoyne was left to his fate and at Saratoga an
+army was lost.</p>
+
+<p>Nor was any advantage to be derived from the possession of the American
+capital. Washington's position at Valley Forge had held the British in
+check all winter. And whatever of work the Congress was required to do
+could as well be done at York as at Philadelphia. As a basis for
+military operation the city was without value, for it was difficult to
+defend and hard to supply with foodstuffs. But it was rich,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>extravagant, fashionable, a "place of crucifying expenses," and its
+fine houses, good pavements, and regular arrangement of streets,
+impressed Howe as the most fitting place for the British Army to
+establish winter quarters. And so they sat down to wait for spring.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"We shall never forget the splendor of it all; it was wonderful!"
+exclaimed Peggy with a deep sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"A farewell party!" said Marjorie. "Undoubtedly the gallant Britishers
+outdid themselves. Howe leaves soon, does he not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Next week."</p>
+
+<p>"Which means that the period of entertaining is about to come to an
+end."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose. But wasn't the winter glorious? I shall never forget it."</p>
+
+<p>A smile covered her face, dotting her cheeks with two tiny dimples. She
+held her hands together over her knees while she sat quite motionless,
+her eyes looking out into the darkness of the room.</p>
+
+<p>Presently she bethought herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us light the tapers!" she announced, jumping up from the sofa.</p>
+
+<p>"It is late," Marjorie remarked, as she, too, prepared to arise. "I must
+leave for home."</p>
+
+<p>"Stay! It is still early. Soon we shall be obliged to settle into
+quietude. Dark days are before us."</p>
+
+<p>"Why!" Marjorie exclaimed. "I should think that the future augurs well.
+I do wish the soldiers would evacuate the city."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p><p>"When General Howe leaves, all may as well leave with him."</p>
+
+<p>"When does he leave, did you say?" impatiently asked her true American
+friend.</p>
+
+<p>"Next week, I understand. The great Mischienza, you know, was arranged
+in his honor as a farewell celebration."</p>
+
+<p>"General Clinton, I presume, will succeed. He seems the most logical
+choice."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He already has been appointed to the supreme command."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he decides to evacuate."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. Perhaps," was the sole response.</p>
+
+<p>But it already had been decided. Upon the departure of General Howe,
+instructions were forwarded from the ministry to Sir Henry Clinton, the
+new Commander-in-chief, to evacuate the city at once. The imminent
+arrival of the French fleet, together with the increasing menace of the
+Continental Army at Valley Forge, constituted a grave peril to the
+isolated army of the British. Hence it was determined that the capital
+city must be abandoned.</p>
+
+<p>Clinton intended to transfer his army to New York by water in order that
+the bulk of his forces might be concentrated for the spring campaign. On
+account of the vast number of Tories who, apprehensive of their personal
+effects, had begged to be transferred with him, he was obliged to forego
+his original intention of sailing by water in favor of a march overland.
+Accordingly on the morning of June 18, 1778, the rear-guard of the
+British marched out of the city and on that same afternoon the American
+advance entered and took possession with Major General Benedict Arnold,
+the hero of Saratoga, as Military Governor.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p><p>The joy of the Whig populace knew no bounds. No longer would the
+shadows of dark despair and abandoned hope hang like a pall over the
+capital city. No longer would the stately residences of the Tory element
+be thrown open for the diversion and the junket of the titled gentry. No
+more would the soldiery of an hostile army loiter about the street
+corners or while away the hours at the Taverns or at the Coffee Houses.
+The Congress was about to return. The city would again become the
+political as well as the civic center of American affairs. The people
+would be ruled by a governor of their own accord and sympathy.
+Philadelphia was to enter into its own.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"It won't do, I tell you. And the sooner he realizes this the more
+satisfactory will it become for all concerned."</p>
+
+<p>"Sh-h-h," answered Mrs. Allison in a seemingly heedless manner. She was
+seated by the side window in her old rocker, intent only on her three
+needles and the ball of black yarn. "Judge not, that you may not be
+judged!" she reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"He is too imprudent. Only today he contemptuously dismissed the Colonel
+and the secretary; later he requested them to dine with him. We don't
+like it, I tell you."</p>
+
+<p>As a matter of fact, there was no more staunch defender or constant
+advocate of the cause of the Colonists than Matthew Allison himself; and
+when the proclamation of the new Military Governor ordering the closing
+of the shops and the suspension of business in general until the
+question of ownership was established, had been issued, he was among the
+first of the citizens to comply with it. True, his sole source of income
+had been temporarily suspended. But what matter? It meant order and
+prevented the wares from falling into the hands of the enemy. His small
+shop had enabled himself together with his wife and daughter to eke out
+a comfortable existence. Their cozy home while unmistakably plain and
+unadorned with the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> finer appointments indicative of opulence,
+nevertheless was not without charm and cheeriness. It was delightful in
+simplicity and neat arrangement.</p>
+
+<p>Allison had welcomed the entry of General Arnold into the city as a hero
+coming into his own, but he was not slow in perceiving that the
+temperament of the man rendered him an unhappy choice for the
+performance of the onerous duties which the successful administration of
+the office required. Readily and with genuine satisfaction did he yield
+to the initial mandate of the Governor; but when the scent of luxury
+from this same Governor's house, the finest mansion in the city and the
+identical one lately occupied by the British commander, was diffused
+throughout the city causing murmurs of criticism and dissension, Matthew
+Allison forgot for the moment his oath of fealty and gave expression to
+pain and dissatisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"Why allow yourself to be disturbed at his manner of living?" asked his
+wife, picking up the conversation at the point where he had left it.</p>
+
+<p>"And you and I and the vast majority of us sacrificing our all. Why they
+tell me that his quarters abound in luxury to a degree never excelled by
+Howe himself."</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" was the simple reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And the Massachusetts Regiment has been appointed his guard of honor;
+and that two armed soldiers have been stationed at the doorposts."</p>
+
+<p>Allison spoke with evident passion, the ardor of which pervaded his
+entire being.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet I dare say you would be the first to disapprove of the other
+extreme," admonished Mrs. Allison in her soft and gentle way. "Under
+martial law you know, there must be no relaxation of discipline,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>
+notwithstanding the fact that the Americans once more control the city."</p>
+
+<p>"Laxity or no laxity, it is extravagant for him to be housed in the
+finest mansion in the city with a retinue of servants and attendants
+only excelled by Sir William Howe; to be surrounded by a military guard
+of selective choice; to maintain a coach and four with footmen and
+servants, all equipped with livery of the most exclusive design; to live
+in the greatest splendor, notwithstanding the avowed republican
+simplicity of the country as well as the distressed condition of our
+affairs and finances. Who is paying for this extravagance? We, of
+course. We are being taxed and supertaxed for this profligate waste
+while our shops are closed to all future trade. These are not alone my
+opinions; they are the expressions of the men about town. This was the
+sole topic of conversation today at the Coffee House."</p>
+
+<p>For where else would the news of the day be found if not on the street
+corners or at the Coffee House? This latter institution, like its London
+prototype, was the chief organ through which the public opinion of the
+metropolis continually asserted itself. Its convenience lay in its
+adaptability for the making of appointments at any hour of the day, or
+for the passing of an evening socially for a very small charge. It had
+its characters who became as famous as the institution itself, its
+orators to whose eloquence the crowd listened with admiration, its
+medical men who might be consulted on any malady merely for the asking,
+its poets and humorists who in winter occupied the chairs of learning
+nearest the stove and in summer held the choice places on the balcony,
+and who discoursed fables and politics with renewed embellishment upon
+the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>advent of every newcomer. The atmosphere always reeked with the
+fumes of tobacco. Nowhere else was smoking more constant than at the
+Coffee House. And why any one would leave his own home and fireside to
+sit amid such eternal fog, was a mystery to every good housewife. But
+every man of the upper or the middle class went daily to the Coffee
+House to learn and discuss the news of the day.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose Jim Cadwalader waxed warm today on the subject and gave you
+inspiration," submitted Mrs. Allison. "Why do you not suspend your
+judgment for a while until you learn more about the Governor,&mdash;at any
+rate give him the benefit of a doubt until you have some facts," mildly
+replied Mrs. Allison with that gentle manner and meekness of temper
+which was characteristic of her.</p>
+
+<p>"Facts!" said he, "I am telling you that these are facts. The Colonel
+saw this, I tell you, for he dined with him. And I want to tell you
+this," he announced pointing towards her, "he hates the Catholics and is
+strongly opposed to any alliance with a Catholic country."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, my dear. We cannot suffer for that."</p>
+
+<p>"I know, but it may concern us sooner or later. Our fathers endured
+severe tortures at the hands of a bigoted Government, and if the new
+republic gives promise of such unhappy tidings, we may as well leave the
+earth."</p>
+
+<p>"I would not take any undue alarm," quietly answered Mrs. Allison as her
+deft fingers sped on with the knitting. "General Washington is
+broad-minded enough to appreciate our loyalty and our spirit of
+self-sacrifice. And besides the new French Alliance will prevent any of
+the intolerance which made itself <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span>manifest in the person of King
+George. With a Catholic ally, the government cannot very well denounce
+the Catholics as you will discover from the repealing of several of the
+laws which rendered life more or less obnoxious in some of the colonies.
+And I think, too, that we have given more than our share to the cause.
+With so much to our credit, no public official, whatever his natural
+inclination, can afford to visit his bigotry on us. I would not worry
+about General Arnold. He will not molest us, I am sure."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think that he pleases me anyway."</p>
+
+<p>"And why?" she paused to ask. "Because he maintains too expensive a
+livery, or has surrounded himself by too many attendants?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I dislike the man. I do not like his traits."</p>
+
+<p>"It is unkind of you to say that. Who enjoys a greater reputation for
+skill or bravery or personal courage than he? What would have become of
+Gates, or our army, or the French Alliance were he not at Saratoga, and
+there too without a command, you must remember."</p>
+
+<p>"I know all that, but he is too blunt, too headstrong, too proud, too&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie's figure at the door interrupted him.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>Although Mistress Allison was not twenty, she maintained the composure
+of a married woman, sedate and reserved like the matrons of this period.
+Her dress was neat and well chosen, a chintz cotton gown, of a very
+pretty blue stamp, blue silk quilt and a spotted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span> figured apron. The
+vivacity of her manner and the winsomeness of her behavior were
+prepossessing, and she was beautiful to look upon: her complexion as
+dazzling white as snow in sunshine; except her cheeks, which were a
+bright red; and her lips, of a still deeper crimson. Her small oval face
+was surmounted by a wealth of dark brown hair, craped up with two rolls
+on each side and topped with a small cap of beautiful gauze and rich
+lace,&mdash;a style most becoming to a girl of her age. Health, activity,
+decision were written full upon her, whether in the small foot which
+planted itself on the ground, firm but flexible, or in the bearing of
+her body, agile or lofty.</p>
+
+<p>She was the only child of Mr. Allison and a much admired member of the
+city's middle class. And while it is true that a certain equality in
+class and social refinement was an attribute of the American people
+which found great favor in the eyes of the older world inhabitants, it
+is equally true that this equality was more seeming than real. This was
+due to a great extent to the distinction established by the wealth and
+the liberties enjoyed by the various classes of people. It was said, and
+not without a semblance of truth, that the inhabitants of Philadelphia
+were rated according to their fortunes. The first class was known as the
+carriage folk, who proclaimed, almost without exception, their pretended
+descent from the ancient English families by their coats of arms
+imprinted upon their carriage doors. The second class was composed of
+the merchants, lawyers, and business men of the city; and the third
+class, were those who exercised the mechanical arts. These felt their
+social inferiority and never hoped for any association with the upper
+classes. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span> Allisons were of the middle rank, and were looked upon as
+its most respected members.</p>
+
+<p>Plain, simple-living folk, they made no pretense to display. Neither did
+they affect aristocracy. Their manner of living was as comfortable as
+their modest means would allow. It was a common habit for the people of
+this class to indulge in luxury far beyond their resources and no small
+amount of this love of ostentation was attributed to the daughters of
+the families. In this respect Marjorie offended not in the least.
+Whether assisting her father in the shop during the busy hours, or
+presiding at the Coffee House, or helping her mother with the affairs of
+the household, she was equally at home. Neither the brilliance of the
+social function, nor the pleasures of the dance roused unusual desires
+in her. Indeed she seldom participated in such entertainments, unless on
+the invitation and in company with the Shippen family with whom she was
+on the most intimate terms of friendship. The gay winter season of the
+British occupation of the city produced no change in her manner or
+attire. The dazzling spectacle of the Mischienza found her secluded in
+her home, more from her own desire than from her pretended deference to
+the wishes of her mother.</p>
+
+<p>Her happiness was in her homelife. This was the center of her affection
+as well as of her tenderest solicitude. Here she busied herself daily,
+either in the care of the house, and the preparation of the meals, which
+were by no means sumptuous owing to the scarcity of all foodstuffs, or
+at the wheel where she made shirtings and the sheetings for the army. A
+touch of her hand here and there, to this chair, slightly out of place,
+to this cup or that plate in the china-chest, to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> miniature on the
+wall, leaning slightly to one side, or the whisk of her sweeping-brush
+through the silver-sand on the floor, transformed a disorderly aspect
+into one of neatness and taste. It was here that she spent her days,
+enduring their unvarying monotony, with sweet and unbroken contentment.</p>
+
+<p>As she hurriedly entered the house, she arrested the attention of her
+father and put a period to the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Father, have you heard?"</p>
+
+<p>"What news now, child!"</p>
+
+<p>"Washington has engaged the British."</p>
+
+<p>"And how fared?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were compelled to withdraw."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God."</p>
+
+<p>"Where, Marjorie, did you come by this good news?" inquired the mother.</p>
+
+<p>"At the State House. A courier arrived from Monmouth with the tidings,"
+answered Marjorie, still nervous to narrate the story, and forgetting to
+remove her hat.</p>
+
+<p>"When did this happen?" asked her father, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems that General Washington started in pursuit of Clinton as soon
+as he had evacuated the city. He had decided that an attack must be made
+as soon as possible. When the British reached Allentown, they found the
+American army gaining the front and so they turned towards Monmouth.
+Near the Court House the British were outflanked and the Americans
+gained the superior ground and so the battle was won. Then General Lee
+ordered a retreat."</p>
+
+<p>"A retreat?" exploded Mr. Allison. "What for?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know, but that was the report. Lee <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>retreated when Washington
+arrived on the scene," continued Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"And then?"</p>
+
+<p>"He rallied the troops to another front and began the attack anew,
+driving the British back a considerable distance. Nightfall ended the
+battle, and when day broke, Clinton had withdrawn."</p>
+
+<p>"And Lee ordered a retreat!" exclaimed Mr. Allison. "A damned poltroon!"</p>
+
+<p>"All say the same. The crowd was furious upon hearing the message,
+although some thought it too incredible. The joy of victory, however,
+made them forget the disgraceful part."</p>
+
+<p>"My faith in him has never faltered," quietly observed Mrs. Allison, as
+she prepared to resume the knitting from which she had ceased on the
+sudden entry of Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"And his pretended friends must now croak forth his praises," rejoined
+her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"There were shouts and cheers," continued Marjorie, "as the news was
+being announced. Each newcomer would add another detail to the story
+with beaming delight. All said that the retreat from the city and the
+defeat of the British augured a speedy termination of the war. The
+country is wholly united again under General Washington."</p>
+
+<p>"And what will become of Lee?" asked the father.</p>
+
+<p>"The traitor!" snapped Marjorie. "They ought to court-martial him. The
+crowd greeted his name with hisses when the details began to impress
+themselves upon them. I dare say, he has few friends in the city
+tonight, expect perhaps among the Tories. He is a disgrace to the
+uniform he wears."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly, the losses were heavy."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p><p>"No one seemed to know. The minor details of the engagement are still
+unknown. They will come later. The consoling feature is that the enemy
+were compelled to withdraw, which would indicate that they were worsted.
+The remnants, I suppose, will concentrate at New York. There will occur
+the next great battle."</p>
+
+<p>"God grant that it will soon be over," exclaimed Mrs. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"And now, daughter, have you more news?" asked her father.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! General Arnold is going to give a ball at the City Tavern on
+the Fourth of July to the officers of the French Army. It will be under
+the auspices of the American officers of Washington's command and in
+honor of the loyal ladies who had withheld from the Mischienza. And I
+have been invited to attend."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think that we have had enough of social life here during the
+past winter," quietly announced the father.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," replied Marjorie, "this affair is to exclude all who
+participated in the English Army festivities. Only Americans will be
+present."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you come by this report?" asked her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Peggy Shippen. I stopped there for a short time. They told me of the
+proposed invitation and that I was included."</p>
+
+<p>"How came they by the news?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose General Arnold told them."</p>
+
+<p>"Is he acquainted with them? I wonder&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. They were presented to him, and he has already honored them with
+his visit."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like this," said Mr. Allison, "and you can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> be assured that
+there will be little restriction as to the company who will comprise
+this assemblage. The Governor will take sides with the wealthy, be their
+sympathies what they may. Well, if he establish the precedent, I dare
+say, none will be so determined as to oppose him. Do you wish to go,
+daughter?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I might enjoy it. The French soldiers are so gallant, I might
+find much pleasure there."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, you shall attend," said her father.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>And so it was decided that Marjorie would be present at the Governor's
+Ball. As custom did not require mothers to accompany their daughters to
+such functions, but allowed them to go unattended, Mrs. Allison
+preferred to remain at home. To what splendor and gayety the affair
+would lend itself was a matter of much speculation. This was the
+Governor's first event, and no one was aware of his prowess on the
+ballroom floor.</p>
+
+<p>Once the list of invitations had become public, it was understood quite
+generally that no distinction was made between those that had, and those
+that had not, attended the Mischienza. Whether the number would be
+surprisingly small, or whether the affair would fail of success without
+the Mischienza ladies, could not be foretold. Indeed such speculations
+were idle, since no discrimination had been made. There were a number of
+young French Officers in the town and one or two of General Washington's
+aides had remained because of the pressure of immediate business after
+the British evacuation. These of course would attend.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> All the other
+available young men belonged to the families who had held a more or less
+neutral position in the war, and who had not offered their services to
+the patriots nor yielded allegiance to the foe. As these neutrals were
+among the most prominent people of the city, their presence would, of
+course, be altogether desirable.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie was invited through the efforts of Peggy Shippen, who had
+proposed her name to His Excellency on the occasion of his visit to her
+house. She would be included in their party and would be assigned a
+partner befitting her company. Because of the prominence of the
+Shippens, it was thought that the gallant young French Officers, would
+be assigned to them. Marjorie rejoiced at this although the Shippen
+girls evinced no such sentiment. Whether it was because the French
+alliance was distasteful to them or because their Tory leanings took
+precedence, they preferred other guests for partners. But as the matter
+was to be decided by lot, their likings were not consulted.</p>
+
+<p>Ere long the city was agog with speculation respecting the coming ball.
+The battle of Monmouth was accorded a second place. The disdain of the
+middle class, who had been embittered against such demonstrations by the
+profligacy displayed during the days of the British occupation, soon
+began to make itself felt. That it was the first official or formal
+function of the new republic mattered little. A precedent was about to
+be established. There was to be a continuation of the shameful
+extravagance which they had been compelled to witness during the winter
+and which they feared they would be forced to maintain for another
+protracted period. Living was high, extremely high, and the value of the
+paper currency had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>depreciated to almost nothing. Indeed it was said
+that a certain barber in the town had papered his entire shop with the
+bills and that a dog had been led up and down the streets, smeared with
+tar, and adorned cap-a-pie with paper money. To feed and clothe the army
+was expense enough without being compelled to pay for the splendors of a
+military ball. Small wonder that the coming event aroused no ordinary
+speculation.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless preparations went on with growing vigor and magnificence,
+and not the least interested was Marjorie. The event was now awaited
+with painful anxiety. Even the war for a moment was relegated to a place
+of minor import.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>An imposing spectacle greeted Marjorie's eyes as she made her way in
+company with the Shippen girls into the ballroom of the City Tavern. The
+hall was superb, of a charming style of architecture, well furnished and
+lighted, and brilliantly decorated with a profusion of American and
+French flags arranged in festoons and trianguloids and drapings
+throughout its entire length and breadth, its atmosphere vocal with the
+strains of martial music. Everywhere were women dressed with elegance
+and taste. The Tory ladies, gowned in the height of fashion, were to
+Marjorie a revelation at once amazing and impressive.</p>
+
+<p>On a raised dais sat the Governor in his great chair. He was clothed in
+the regulation buff and blue uniform of a Major General of the
+Continental Army. On his shoulders he wore the epaulets and about his
+waist the sword knots General Washington had presented to him the
+preceding May. He bore also upon his person the most eloquent of martial
+trophies, for his leg, wounded at Quebec and Saratoga, rested heavily on
+a small cushion before him.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie who saw him for the first time, was attracted at once by his
+manly bearing and splendid physique. His frame was large, his shoulders
+broad, his body inclined to be fleshy. His very presence, however, was
+magnetic, still his manner was plain and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>without affectation. He looked
+the picture of dignity and power as he received the guests in their turn
+and greeted each with a pointed and pleasant remark.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't he a handsome figure?" whispered Peggy to Marjorie as they made
+their way slowly to the dais.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie acquiesced in the judgment. He was still young, hardly more
+than thirty-five, his weather-beaten face darkened to bronze from
+exposure. His features were large and clean cut with the power of
+decision written full upon them. A firm and forcible chin, with heavy
+lines playing about his mouth; eyes, large and black, that seemed to
+take toll of everything that transpired about them, suggested a man of
+extravagant energy, of violent and determined tenacity in the face of
+opposition. No one could look upon his imposing figure without calling
+to mind his martial achievements&mdash;the exploits of Canada, of the Mohawk,
+of Bemis Heights.</p>
+
+<p>"So this is your little friend," said he to Peggy, eyeing Marjorie as
+she made her presentation courtesy. He was now standing, though resting
+heavily on his cane with his left hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Mistress Allison, this privilege is a happy one. I understand that you
+are a violent little patriot." He smiled as he gently took her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very pleased, Your Excellency. This is an occasion of rare delight
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"And are you so intensely loyal? Your friends love you for your
+devotion, although I sometimes think that they miss General Howe," and
+he smiled in the direction of Peggy as he turned to her with this
+remark.</p>
+
+<p>"You know, General," Peggy was always ready with an artful reply, "I
+told you that I was neither the one<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span> nor the other; and that I wore
+black and white at the Mischienza, the colors now worn by our American
+soldiers in their cockades in token of the French and American
+Alliance."</p>
+
+<p>"So you did. I had almost forgotten."</p>
+
+<p>"And that there were some American gentlemen present, as well, although
+aged non-combatants," she continued with a subtle smile.</p>
+
+<p>"For which reason," he responded, "you would, I suppose, have it assume
+a less exclusive appearance."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no! I do not mean that. It was after all a very private affair,
+arranged solely in honor of General Howe."</p>
+
+<p>"Were some of these young ladies at the Mischienza? And who were they
+that rewarded the gallant knights?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, the Chew girls, and my sisters, and Miss Franks. There was Miss
+White, and Miss Craig," she repeated the list one after the other as her
+eyes searched the company assembled in the hall. "And that girl in the
+corner, Miss Bond, and beyond her, her sister: then there was Miss
+Smith. Miss Bond I am told is engaged to one of your best Generals, Mr.
+John Robinson."</p>
+
+<p>"We are accustomed to call Mr. Robinson, General Robinson in the army,"
+he ventured with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>She blushed slightly. "We call him Mr. Robinson in society, or sometimes
+Jack."</p>
+
+<p>"And who might have been your gallant knight? May I ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," was her proud reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And who has the good fortune to be your knight<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> for this occasion?" he
+questioned, seeking in their hands the billet of the evening.</p>
+
+<p>"We do not know," Marjorie murmured. "We have not as yet met the Master
+of Ceremonies."</p>
+
+<p>He looked about him, in search evidently of some one. "Colonel
+Wilkinson!" he called to a distinguished looking officer on his right,
+"have these fair ladies been assigned to partners?"</p>
+
+<p>The Colonel advanced and presented them with their billets, which were
+numbered and which bore the name of the partner that was to accompany
+them during the entire evening. Peggy opened hers and found the name of
+Colonel Jean Boudinot, a young French Officer. Marjorie saw written upon
+hers a name unknown to her, "Captain Stephen Meagher, aide-de-camp."</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher!" exclaimed the Governor. "He is one of General
+Washington's aides, detailed for the present in the city. Do you know
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Marjorie timidly, "I do not, I am sorry to say. I have
+never had the privilege of meeting him."</p>
+
+<p>"There he is now," said he, indicating with a gesture of the eyes a tall
+young officer who stood with his back toward them.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie looked in the direction indicated. A becomingly tall and erect
+figure, clad in a long blue coat met her gaze. Further scrutiny
+disclosed the details of a square cut coat, with skirts hooked back
+displaying a buff lining, and with lappets, cuff-linings and standing
+capes of like color. His bearing was overmastering as he stood at
+perfect ease, his hand resting gently on a small sword hanging at his
+side; his right wrist showed a delicate lace ruffle as he gestured to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>
+and fro in his conversation. As he slightly turned in her direction, she
+saw that he wore his hair drawn back from the face, with a gentle roll
+on each side, well powdered and tied in a cue behind. His features were
+pleasant to look upon, not large but finely chiseled and marked with
+expression. Marjorie thought what a handsome figure he made as he stood
+in earnest conversation, dominating the little group who surrounded him
+and followed his every move with interest and attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me call him," suggested the Governor to Marjorie who at that moment
+stood with her eyes fixed on the Captain. "I am sure he will be pleased
+to learn the identity of his fair partner," he added facetiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! do," agreed Peggy. "It would afford pleasure to all of us to meet
+him."</p>
+
+<p>The General whispered a word to an attendant who immediately set off in
+the direction of the unconcerned Captain. As the latter received the
+message he turned, looked in the direction of the dais and gazed
+steadily at the Governor and his company. His eyes met Marjorie's and
+she was sure that he saw her alone. The thought thrilled her through and
+through. He excused himself from the company of his circle, and as he
+directed his footsteps towards her, she noted his neat and close fitting
+buff waistcoat, and his immaculate linen revealing itself at the throat
+and ruffled wrists. Nor did she fail to observe that he wore a buff
+cockade on his left breast and gilt epaulets upon his shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher," announced General Arnold. "I have the honor of
+presenting you to your partner for the evening, Mistress Allison."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p><p>Marjorie courtesied gracefully to his courtly acknowledgment.</p>
+
+<p>"And the Misses Shippen, the belles of the Mischienza!"</p>
+
+<p>Stephen bowed profoundly.</p>
+
+<p>"I was just remarking, Captain, that General Washington has honored you
+with a special mission, and that you have run away from your duties
+tonight to mingle with the social life of the city."</p>
+
+<p>"Or rather, Your Excellency, to acquaint myself with their society,"
+Stephen replied good-naturedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you do not relax, even for an evening," inquired Peggy, with a
+coquettish turn of the head.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the duty of a soldier never to relax." Stephen's reply was more
+na&iuml;ve than usual.</p>
+
+<p>"And yet one's hours are shortened by pleasure and action," continued
+Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"As a recreation it is far sweeter than as a business. It soon exhausts
+us, however, and it is the greatest incentive to evil."</p>
+
+<p>"But you dance?" interrupted the General.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! Your Excellency," replied Stephen, "after a fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, your partner is longing for the music. Come, let ye assemble."</p>
+
+<p>And as the dance was announced, the first one being dedicated to "The
+Success of the Campaign," Stephen and Marjorie moved off and took their
+places. Peggy and her sisters were soon attended and followed. They were
+soon lost in the swirl of excitement among the throng.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"And you live alone with your father and mother?"</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie and her partner were sitting in a distant corner whither they
+had wandered at the conclusion of the dance. Stephen began to find
+himself taking an unusual interest in this girl and was inquiring
+concernedly about her home life.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Father's time is much consumed with his attention to the shop.
+Mother and I find plenty to occupy us about the house. Then I relieve
+Father at times, and so divide my hours between them," quietly answered
+Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"You have not as yet told me your name," Stephen reminded her.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie," was the timid reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie!" Then, taking advantage of her averted look, he stole secret
+glances at her small round face, her lips, firmly set but curving
+upwards, her rose-pink cheeks. Presently, his eye rested on her
+finger-ring, a cameo with what looked like an ectypal miniature of the
+"Ecce Homo." Was this girl of his faith?</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie Allison," he repeated again. "Do you know that sounds like a
+Catholic name?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is," Marjorie replied proudly. "Our family have been Catholics for
+generations."</p>
+
+<p>"Mine have, too," Stephen gladly volunteered the information. "Irish
+Catholics with a history behind them."</p>
+
+<p>"Is your home here?" asked Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"Here in this country, yes," admitted her escort. "But I live in New
+York and it was there I volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and saw
+my first service in the New York campaign."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p><p>"And are your parents there, too?" inquired the girl.</p>
+
+<p>And then he told her that his father and mother and only sister lived
+there and that when the war broke out he determined to enlist in company
+with a number of his friends, the younger men of the neighborhood. How
+he took part in the campaign about New York and his "contribution to our
+defeat," as he styled it. Of the severe winter at Valley Forge and his
+appointment by Washington to his staff. She listened with keen interest
+but remained silent until the end.</p>
+
+<p>"And now you are in the city on detailed duty?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Work of a private nature for the Commander-in-chief."</p>
+
+<p>"It must be a source of satisfaction to be responsive to duty," observed
+Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"It is God's medicine to detach us from the things of this world. For,
+after all has been said and done, it is love alone which elevates one's
+service above the domain of abject slavery. In such a manner do the
+commands of heaven afford the richest consolations to the soul."</p>
+
+<p>"And still, a certain routine must manifest itself at times."</p>
+
+<p>"Not when the habit is turned to pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a philosopher, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. Just a mere observer of men and their destinies."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you included the duration of the war in your legitimate
+conclusions?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is not over yet, and it will not terminate, I think, without an
+improvement in the present condition of affairs. The proposed help from
+France must become a reality of no ordinary proportion, else the
+discordant<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> factions will achieve dire results. Tell me," he said,
+suddenly changing the topic of conversation, "were you in attendance at
+the Mischienza?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I did not care to attend."</p>
+
+<p>"I would I had been present."</p>
+
+<p>"You would have been expelled in your present capacity."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes! But I would have affected a disguise."</p>
+
+<p>"You would expect to obtain important information?" She fingered her
+gown of pink satin as she spoke, oblivious of everything save the
+interest of the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"I might possibly have stumbled across some items of value."</p>
+
+<p>"None were there save the British Officers and their Tory friends, you
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"A still greater reason for my desire to be present. And why did you not
+dance attendance?" This question was frank.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really want to know my sole reason?" She looked at him somewhat
+suspicious, somewhat reliant, awaiting her womanly instinct to reveal to
+her the rectitude of her judgment.</p>
+
+<p>"I should not have asked, otherwise," Stephen gravely replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it was for the simple reason that my soul would burn within me if
+I permitted myself to indulge in such extravagance and gayety the while
+our own poor boys were bleeding to death at Valley Forge."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen grasped her hand and pressed it warmly. "You are a true
+patriot," was all he could say.</p>
+
+<p>Whether it was his emotion for the cause of his country or the supreme
+satisfaction afforded him by the knowledge that this girl was loyal to
+the cause,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> Stephen did not know, nor did he try to discover. He knew
+that he was thrilled with genuine gratification and that he was joyously
+happy over the thought which now relieved his mind. Somehow or other he
+earnestly desired to find this girl an ardent patriot, yet he had dared
+not ask her too bluntly. From the moment she had entered the hall in
+company with the other girls, he had singled her alone in the midst of
+the company. And, when the summons came to him from the Governor, he had
+seen her standing at the side of the dais, and her alone. Little did he
+suspect, however, that she bore his billet, nor did he presume to wish
+for the pleasure of her exclusive company for the evening.</p>
+
+<p>She danced with grace and was wholly without affectation. How sweet she
+looked; pink gown, pink flowers, pink ribbon, pink cheeks! How
+interesting her conversation, yet so reserved and dignified! But she
+lived in the city and the city he knew teemed with Loyalists. Was she
+one of these! He dared not ask her. To have her so declare herself
+enraptured him. She was one of his own after all.</p>
+
+<p>Moreover she was one with him in religious belief&mdash;that was a distinct
+comfort. Catholics were not numerous, and to preserve the faith was no
+slight struggle. He was thoroughly conversant with the state of affairs
+in the province of New York where Catholics could not, because of the
+iniquitous law and the prescribed oath of office, become naturalized as
+citizens of the state. He knew how New Jersey had excluded Roman
+Catholics from office, and how North and South Carolina had adopted the
+same iniquitous measure. Pennsylvania was one of the few colonies
+wherein all penal laws directed against the Catholics had been
+absolutely swept away. To meet with a member of his own <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>persecuted
+Church, especially one so engaging and so interesting as Marjorie, was a
+source of keen joy and an unlooked-for happiness.</p>
+
+<p>"You will not deny me the pleasure of paying my respects to your father
+and mother?" Stephen asked.</p>
+
+<p>She murmured something as he let go her hand. Stephen thought she had
+said, "I had hoped that you would come."</p>
+
+<p>"Tomorrow?" he ventured.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be pleased to have you sup with us," she smiled as she made the
+soft reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Tomorrow then it shall be."</p>
+
+<p>They rose to take their part in the next dance.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>As the evening wore on Peggy, wearied of the dance, sought a secluded
+corner of the great room to compose herself. She had been disappointed
+in her lottery, for she detested the thought of being a favor for a
+French officer and had taken care to so express herself at home long
+before. She could not rejoice at Marjorie's good fortune as she thought
+it, and found little of interest and less of pleasure in the evening's
+doings.</p>
+
+<p>She was aroused from her solitude and made radiant on the instant at
+sight of the Military Governor, limping his way across the hall in her
+direction. He had seen her seated alone, and his heart urged him to her
+side. With the lowest bow of which he was then capable, he sought the
+pleasure of her company. Her color heightened, she smiled graciously
+with her gray-blue eyes, and accepted his hand. He led the way to the
+banquet room and thence to the balcony, where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span> they might hear the music
+and view the dancing, for his lameness made dancing impossible.</p>
+
+<p>"I hesitate to condemn a young lady to a prison seat, when the stately
+minuet sends a summons," he said as he led her to a chair a little to
+one side of the balcony.</p>
+
+<p>"You should have thought of that before you made us cast lots," she
+replied quickly. "I was wearying of the rounds of pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Is the company, then, all too gay?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, rather extravagant."</p>
+
+<p>"You insisted on the Mischienza ladies being present."</p>
+
+<p>"And can you not distinguish them? Do they not appear to better
+advantage than the others? Their gowns are superior, they give evidence
+of more usage in society, their head-dress is higher and of the latest
+fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"And their hearts, their hopes, their sympathies! Where are they?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know where mine lay," she adroitly replied.</p>
+
+<p>"True, you did wear a French cockade," he laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Please do not call it 'French.' I scorn all things 'French.'"</p>
+
+<p>"They are our allies now, you must know."</p>
+
+<p>"For which I am most sorry. I expect no mercy from that scheming Papist
+country," she replied bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"But they have lent us much money at a time when our paper currency is
+practically worthless, and the assistance of their fleet is now
+momentarily expected," the General went on to explain.</p>
+
+<p>"And to what purpose? Lord North has proposed to meet our demands most
+liberally and with our <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>constitutional liberties secured, I fail to see
+why further strife is necessary."</p>
+
+<p>"But our independence is not yet secure."</p>
+
+<p>"It was secure after your brilliant victory at Saratoga. With the
+collapse of Burgoyne, England saw that further campaigning in a country
+so far removed from home was disastrous. It only remained to formulate
+some mutual agreement. We have triumphed. Why not be magnanimous? Why
+subject the country to a terrible strain for years for a result neither
+adequate nor secure?"</p>
+
+<p>She talked rapidly, passionately. It was evident from the manner of her
+address that the subject was no new one to her.</p>
+
+<p>"You can be court-martialed for treason?" he remarked with a slight
+smile playing about the heavy lines of his mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it treason to talk of the welfare of the country? I look upon the
+alliance with this Catholic and despotic power as more of an act of
+treason than the total surrender of our armies to King George. To lose
+our independence is one thing; but to subject our fair land to the
+tyranny of the Pope and his emissary, the King of France, is a total
+collapse. Our hopes lie in England alone."</p>
+
+<p>The Governor was struck by this strange reasoning. Why had this mere
+child dared to express the very thoughts which were of late intruding
+themselves upon his mind, but which he dared not permit to cross the
+seal of his lips? She was correct, he thought, in her reasoning, but
+bold in her denunciation. No one else had dared to address such
+sentiments to him. And now he was confronted with a young lady of quick
+wit and ready repartee who spoke passionately the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>identical reflections
+of his more mature mind. Clearly her reasoning was not without some
+consistency and method.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid that you are a little Tory." He could not allow this girl
+to think that she had impressed him in the least.</p>
+
+<p>"Because I am frank in the expression of my views?" She turned and with
+arched eyebrows surveyed him. "Pardon me, if you will, but I would have
+taken no such liberty with any other person. You gave me that privilege
+when you forbade my alluding to your former brilliant exploits."</p>
+
+<p>"But I did not want you to become a Tory."</p>
+
+<p>He spoke with emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not a Tory I tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are not a Whig?"</p>
+
+<p>"What, an ordinary shop maid!"</p>
+
+<p>"They are true patriots."</p>
+
+<p>"But of no social standing."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me why all the Mischienza ladies courtesied to me after so courtly
+a fashion," he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"They like it. It is part of their life. You must know that nothing
+pleases a woman of fashion more than to bow and courtesy before every
+person of royalty, and to count those who precede her out of a room."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely, Margaret, you are no such menial?" He compressed his lips as he
+glanced at her sharply. He had never before called her by her first name
+nor presumed to take this liberty. It was more a slip of the tongue than
+an act of deliberate choice, yet he would not have recalled the word.
+His concern lay in her manner of action.</p>
+
+<p>"And why not a menial?" Evidently she took no<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> notice of his
+presumption, or at least pretended not to do so. "Piety is by no means
+the only motive which brings women to church. Position in life is
+precisely what one makes it."</p>
+
+<p>"Does social prestige appeal to you then?"</p>
+
+<p>"I love it." She did not talk to him directly for her attention was
+being centered upon the activities on the floor. "I think that a woman
+who can dress with taste and distinction possesses riches above all
+computation. See Mrs. Reed, there. How I envy her!"</p>
+
+<p>"The wife of the President of the Council?" he asked apprehensively,
+bending forward in the direction of the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"The same. She enjoys a position of social eminence. How I hate her for
+it." She tapped the floor with her foot as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"You mean that you dislike her less than you envy her position?"</p>
+
+<p>Just then her young squire came up and she gave him her hand for a
+minuet, excusing herself to the Governor as graciously as possible.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had she disappeared when he began to muse. What a fitting
+companion she would make for a man of his rank and dignity! That she was
+socially ambitious and obsessed with a passion for display he well knew.
+She was not yet twenty but the disparity in their ages,&mdash;he was about
+thirty-seven and a widower with three sons,&mdash;would be offset by the
+disparity of their stations. No one in the city kept a finer stable of
+horses nor gave more costly dinners than he. Everybody treated him with
+deference, for no one presumed to question his social pre&euml;minence. The
+Whigs admired him as their dashing and perhaps their most successful
+General. The Tories liked him because of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> his aristocratic display and
+his position in regard to the Declaration of Independence. Why not make
+her his bride?</p>
+
+<p>She possessed physical charms and graces in a singular degree. She
+dressed with taste; her wardrobe was of the finest. Aristocratic in her
+bearing, she would be well fitted to assume the position of the first
+lady of the town. Peggy, moreover, possessed a will of her own. This was
+revealed to him more than once during their few meetings, and if proof
+had been wanting, the lack was now abundantly supplied. She would make
+an ideal wife, and he resolved to enter the lists against all suitors.</p>
+
+<p>Her mind was more mature than her years, he thought. This he gleaned
+from her animated discussion of the alliance. And there was, after all,
+more than an ounce of wisdom in her point of view. Mischief brewed in
+the proposed help from a despotic power. His own signal victory ended
+the war if only the Colonists would enter into negotiations or give an
+attentive ear to the liberal proposals of Lord North. The people did not
+desire complete independence and he, for one, had never fully endorsed
+the Declaration. Her point of view was right. Better to accept the
+overtures of our kinsmen than to cast our lot with that Catholic and
+despotic power.</p>
+
+<p>His musings were arrested by the arrival of an aide, who announced that
+he was needed at headquarters. He arose at once to obey.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>Stephen awoke late the next morning. As he lay with eyes closed, half
+asleep, half awake, the image of his partner of the evening sweetly
+drifted into his dreamy brain, and called up a wealth of associations on
+which he continued to dwell with rare pleasure. But the ominous
+suggestion that her heart could not possibly be free, that perhaps some
+gay officer, or brilliant member of Howe's staff, or a gallant French
+official, many of whom had now infested the town, was a favored
+contestant in the field, filled his mind with the thoughts of dread
+possibilities, and chased away the golden vision that was taking shape.
+He sat upright and, pulling aside the curtains of the little window that
+flanked his bed, he peered into the garden behind the house. The birds
+were singing, but not with the volume or rapture which is their wont in
+the early morning. The sun was high in the heavens and flung its
+reflecting rays from the trees and foliage; whence he concluded that the
+morning was already far advanced and that it was well past the hour for
+him to be astir.</p>
+
+<p>And what a day it was! One of those rare July days when the tints of the
+earth and the hues of the sky though varied in color, seem to blend in
+one beautiful and harmonious whole. The cypress and the myrtle, emblems
+of deeds of virtue and renown, had already<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> donned their summer dress.
+The many flowers bowed gently under the weight of the flitful butterfly,
+or the industrious bee, or tossed to and fro lightly in the arms of the
+morning breeze. Overhead maples, resplendent in their fabric of soft and
+delicate green, arched themselves like fine-spun cobwebs, through which
+filigree the sun projected his rays at irregular and frequent intervals,
+lending only an occasional patch of sunlight here and there to the more
+exposed portions of the garden.</p>
+
+<p>But nature had no power to drive Marjorie's image from his mind. Try as
+he would, he could not distract his attention to the many problems which
+ordinarily would have engaged thoughts. What mattered it to him that the
+French fleet was momentarily expected, or that the Continental Congress
+was again meeting in the city, or that he had met with certain
+suspicious looking individuals during the course of the day! There was
+yet one who looked peculiarly suspicious and who was enveloped, as far
+as his knowledge was concerned, in a veil of mystery of the strangest
+depth. She, indeed, was a flower too fair to blush unseen or unattached.
+His own unworthiness confounded him.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless he was determined to call on her that very day, in response
+to her generous invitation of last night, and in accordance too with the
+custom of the time. He would there, perchance, learn more of her, of her
+home, of her life, of her friends. But would he excite in her the
+interest she was exciting in him? The thought of his possible remoteness
+from her, pained him and made his heart sink. The noblest characters
+experience strange sensations of desolation and wretchedness at the
+thought of disapproval and rejection. Esteem, the testimony of our
+neighbor's appreciation,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> the approval of those worth while, these are
+the things for which we yearn with fondest hopes. To know that we have
+done well is satisfaction, but to know that our efforts and our work are
+valued by others is one of the noblest of pleasures. Stephen longed to
+know how he stood in the lady's esteem, and so her little world was his
+universe.</p>
+
+<p>Dispatching the day's business as best he could, the expectant knight
+set out to storm the castle of his lady. Eager as he was, he did not
+fail to note the imposing majesty of the great trees which lined each
+side of the wide road and arched themselves into a perfect canopy
+overhead. An air of abundance pervaded the whole scene and made him
+quite oblivious of the extreme warmth of the afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>Ere long the little white house of her describing rose before him. He
+had seen it many times in other days, but now it was invested with a new
+and absorbing interest. There it stood, plain yet stately, with a great
+pointed and shingled roof, its front and side walls unbroken save for a
+gentle projection supported by two uniform Doric pillars which served as
+a sort of a portal before the main entrance. Numerous windows with small
+panes of glass, and with trim green shutters thrown full open revealing
+neatly arranged curtains, glinted and glistened in the beams of the
+afternoon sun. The nearer of the two great chimneys which ran up the
+sides, like two great buttresses of an old English abbey, gave
+indications of generous and well-fed fireplaces recessed in the walls of
+the inner rooms. The lawns and walks were uncommonly well kept, and the
+whole atmosphere of the little home was one of comfort and simplicity
+and neatness, suggesting the sweet and serene happiness reigning within.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p><p>Stephen closed the gate behind him. A moment later he had seized the
+brass knocker and delivered three moderate blows.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher!" gasped a soft voice. "I am so pleased you have come."</p>
+
+<p>"Mistress Allison, the pleasure is indeed mine, I assure you," replied
+Stephen as he grasped her hand, releasing it with a gentle pressure.</p>
+
+<p>She led the way into the narrow hall.</p>
+
+<p>"Mother!" she addressed a sweetly smiling middle-aged woman who now
+stood at her side, "I have the honor of presenting to you, Captain
+Meagher, of the staff of General Washington, my partner of last
+evening." And she betrayed a sense of pride in that bit of history.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen took the matron's hand, for among the Americans the custom
+prevailed of shaking hands, albeit the French visitors of the time
+maintained that it was a "comic custom." Stephen thought it democratic,
+and in keeping with the spirit of the country.</p>
+
+<p>The parlor opened immediately to the right and thither Stephen was
+conducted without further ceremony. Mr. Allison would be in shortly; he
+was as yet busied with the trade at the shop. The old clock at the
+corner of the room, with its quaint figure of Time adorning the top, and
+its slowly moving pendulum, proclaimed the hour of five, the hour when
+the duties of the day came to a close and social life began. The old
+fireplace, black in this season of desuetude, but brilliant in its huge
+brass andirons like two pilasters of gold, caught the eye at the extreme
+end of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> room, while in the corner near the window a round mahogany
+tea-table, stood upright like an expanded fan or palm leaf.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen seated himself in a great chair that lay to one side of the
+room.</p>
+
+<p>"I had the good fortune of being your daughter's partner for the
+evening, and I am happy to be enabled to pay my respects to you."
+Stephen addressed Mrs. Allison who was nearer to him on his left.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie told me, Captain, of your extreme kindness to her. We
+appreciate it very much. Did she conduct herself becomingly? She is a
+stranger to such brilliant affairs."</p>
+
+<p>"Splendidly!" answered Stephen. "And she danced charmingly," and he
+slyly looked at her as he spoke and thought he detected a faint blush.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not attend on account of its extravagance," remarked Mrs.
+Allison. "I had duties at home, and Marjorie was well attended."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" pronounced Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"It was magnificent, to be sure," went on Stephen, "but it will excite
+no uncertain comment. Republican simplicity last night was lost from
+sight."</p>
+
+<p>"Which I scarce approve of," declared Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"You did not suit your action to your thought," smiled her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"True," replied the girl, "yet I told you that I was anxious to attend
+simply to behold the novelty of it all. Now that it is over, I
+disapprove of the splendor and extravagance especially in these times of
+need."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," volunteered Stephen, "she did voice similar sentiments to me last
+evening. Nevertheless she is not alone in her criticism. The <i>Gazette</i>
+today publishes a leading article excoriating the Military Governor for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>
+his use of the teams, which he had commanded under pretense of
+revictualing of the army, for the transportation of his private effects
+to and from the City Tavern. It spells dissatisfaction at best."</p>
+
+<p>"There has been dissatisfaction from the first day on which he took up
+residence at the Slate Roof House," said Mrs. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>The figure of Mr. Allison appeared in the room to the rear. Stephen made
+haste to stand to greet him, expressing his extreme pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>It was a great day for a tradesman when an officer of the Continental
+Army supped at his table. The house was in a mild uproar since Marjorie
+announced the coming distinction on her return from the ball. From the
+kitchen chimney went up a pillar of smoke. Mrs. Allison and two of her
+neighbors who were proud to lend assistance on such an important
+occasion could be seen passing in and out continually. A large roast lay
+simmering and burnished in the pan diffusing savory and provoking fumes
+throughout the house. And it was with distinct pride that Mrs. Allison
+announced to the company that they might take their places about the
+festive board.</p>
+
+<p>The discourse bore on various matters, prominence being given to
+politics and the affairs of the army. Mr. Allison took care to ask no
+question that might give rise to embarrassment on the part of Stephen.
+The complaints of the tradesmen, the charges of the Whigs, the
+murmurings of the Tories and the annoying articles in the morning
+<i>Gazette</i>, all, were touched upon in the course of the meal. Stephen
+volunteered the information that Conway and Gates were in hiding and
+that Clinton was driven to New York where Washington<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span> was watching his
+every move, like a hawk, from the heights of Morristown.</p>
+
+<p>"General Washington holds General Arnold in the highest esteem,"
+remarked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"As the bravest general in the Continental Army," quietly replied
+Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>"He would make a poor statesman," went on the host.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a soldier first and last."</p>
+
+<p>"Should a soldier be wanting in tact and diplomacy?"</p>
+
+<p>"A good soldier should possess both."</p>
+
+<p>"Then General Arnold is not a good soldier," declared Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"A criticism he hardly deserves," was the simple reply.</p>
+
+<p>"You saw the <i>Gazette</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I read that article to which you undoubtedly refer."</p>
+
+<p>"And you agree with it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I do not."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry about it all. Yet I am inclined to hold the Governor
+responsible to a great extent. He would be an aristocrat, and it is the
+society of such that he covets."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps jealousy might inspire criticism. Envy, you know, is the
+antagonist of the fortunate."</p>
+
+<p>"But it is not his deeds alone that cause the unrest among our citizens.
+It is not what he does but what he says. It helps matters not in the
+least to express dissatisfaction with the manner of conducting the war,
+neither by criticizing the enactments of the Congress, nor vehemently
+opposing the new foreign alliance.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> This does not sound well from the
+lips of one of our foremost leaders and we do not like it."</p>
+
+<p>"I was not aware that he voiced any opposition to the furtherance of the
+alliance with France," declared Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>"He might not have spoken in formal protest, but he has spoken in an
+informal manner times without number," replied Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to hear that. I did not expect such from General Arnold,"
+muttered Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie had as yet taken no part in the conversation. She was
+interested and alive, however, to every word, anxious, if possible, to
+learn Stephen's attitude in respect to the common talk. She took delight
+in his defense of his General, notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence
+against him and was proud of the trait of loyalty her guest disclosed in
+the face of her father's opposition.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Allison and Marjorie participated in the conversation when the
+topics bore, for the most part, on current events, uninteresting to Mr.
+Allison, who munched in silence until some incomplete sentence called
+for a remark or two from him by way of a conclusion. Stephen's animated
+interest in the more common topics of the day led Mrs. Allison and
+Marjorie to the conclusion that he was a more practical and a more
+versatile man than the head of their own house.</p>
+
+<p>All in all he made a profound impression on the family, and when the
+repast was finished and the table had been cleared, they sat over the
+fruit and the nuts, before retiring to the living room for the evening.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"You are not in the habit of frequenting brilliant functions?" Stephen
+asked of Marjorie when they were quite alone. It was customary for the
+older folks to retire from the company of the younger set shortly after
+the dinner grace had been said. Of course grace had to be said; Mr.
+Allison would permit no bread to be broken at his house without first
+imploring benedictions from Heaven, and, when the formalities of the
+meal had been concluded, of returning thanks for the good things
+enjoyed.</p>
+
+<p>"I never have attended before," answered Marjorie, smoothing out a side
+of her apron with her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"You are quite friendly with the Shippen family, I understand."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes! For several years we have been united. I am invited to all
+their functions. Still I am not fond of society."</p>
+
+<p>"And you spend your time alone?" Stephen was persistent in his questions
+as he sat opposite to her and studied her expression.</p>
+
+<p>"Between here and the store, and perhaps with Peggy. That is about all
+for I seldom visit. I am hopelessly old-fashioned in some things, mother
+tells me, and I suppose you will say the same if I tell you more," and
+she looked at him slyly, with her head half-raised, her lips parted
+somewhat in a quizzical smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all! You are what I rather hoped to find you, although I did not
+dare to give expression to it. You can, possibly, be of some assistance
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Gladly would I perform any service, however<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> humble, for the cause of
+our country," Marjorie sat upright, all attention at the thought.</p>
+
+<p>"You remember I told you that I was detailed in the city on special
+work," Stephen went on.</p>
+
+<p>"I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is a special work but it also is a very indefinite work. There
+is a movement afoot, but of its nature, and purpose, I at this moment am
+entirely ignorant. I am here to discover clews."</p>
+
+<p>"And have you no material to work on except that? It is very vague, to
+say the least."</p>
+
+<p>"That and suspicion. Howe found the city a nest of Tories; but he also
+found it swarmed with patriots, whose enthusiasm, and vigor, and
+patience, and determination must have impressed him profoundly, and
+portended disaster for the British cause. With the morale of the people
+so high, and renewed hope and confidence swelling their bosoms, a
+complete military victory must have appeared hopeless to the British
+General. What was left? Dissension, or rebellion, or treason, or
+anything that will play havoc with the united determination of the
+Colonists."</p>
+
+<p>She breathed heavily as she rested her chin on her hand absorbed in the
+vision that he was calling up.</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold's victory at Saratoga has convinced Britain that the war over
+here cannot be won," he continued. "Already has Lord North thrown a bomb
+into the ranks of the proud Tories by his liberal proposals. Of course
+they will be entirely rejected by us and the war will continue until
+complete independence is acknowledged. True, we had no such idea in mind
+when we entered this conflict, but now we are convinced that victory is
+on our side and that a free and independent form of government is the
+most suitable<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> for us. We have enunciated certain principles which are
+possible of realization only under a democratic form of government,
+where the people rule and where the rulers are responsible to the
+people. Such a system is possible only in a great republic, and that is
+what England must now recognize. Otherwise the war must go on."</p>
+
+<p>"Have our aims taken such definite form. I know&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No! They have not," interrupted Stephen, "they have not and that is
+where trouble is to be expected. Such is the state of mind, however, of
+many of the more experienced leaders, but their opinion will lose
+weight. It is because all are not united in this, that there is room for
+treason under the motive of misguided patriotism. And it is to scent
+every possible form of that disloyalty that I have been sent here; sent
+to the very place where the Tories most abound and where such a plot is
+most liable to take root."</p>
+
+<p>"And you expect me to be of assistance to you?" asked Marjorie, proud of
+the confidence which she so readily gained.</p>
+
+<p>"I expect much. But perhaps nothing will eventuate. I can rely on you,
+however. For the present, naught is to be done. When the time comes, I
+shall tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"But what can I do? I am but a mere girl."</p>
+
+<p>"Did I think you to be ordinary, I might not have asked you," quickly
+exchanged Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie dropped her head and began studying the stitches in her gown.
+But only for a second, for she as quickly raised her head and asked:</p>
+
+<p>"Wherein, then, can I be of service to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen!" He brought his chair to a point nearly<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> opposite hers. She was
+seated on the settee, yet he made no attempt to share it with her.</p>
+
+<p>"You are friendly with the Shippen family," he went on. "Now, do not
+misinterpret me. I shall require no betrayal of confidence. But it is
+generally known that the Shippens are Tories, not avowedly so, yet in
+heart and in thought. It is also generally known that their house was
+the center of society during the days of the British occupation, at
+which all manner of men assembled. The walls of that house, could they
+but speak, would be able to relate many momentous conversations held
+over the teacups, or in quiet corners. The family themselves must know
+many things which might be invaluable to us."</p>
+
+<p>"And you want me to learn that for you?" inquired Marjorie in alarm as
+the horrible thought forced itself upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to do nothing of the kind," quickly answered Stephen. "Far
+be it from me to require you to barter your benevolence. I should
+deplore any such method as most dishonorable and unworthy of the noble
+cause in which we are engaged. No! I ask this, simply, that through you
+I might be permitted the honor of visiting the home of Miss Shippen and
+that by being acquainted with the family I might acquire a general
+entr&eacute;e to the Tory social circle. In this way I might effect my purpose
+and perchance stumble across information of vital importance. Thus can
+you be of great assistance to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be delighted to do this, and I shall tell you more&mdash;perhaps you
+may ask me to do something more noble&mdash;sometime&mdash;&mdash;" She hesitated to
+express the wish which was father to her thought.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p><p>"Sometime I expect you to be of real service to me and to our
+country&mdash;sometime&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie did not answer. She knew what she would like to say, but dared
+not. Why should he unfold his mission to her at this, almost their first
+meeting? And why should he expect her to be of such assistance to him,
+to him, first, and then to the country? And then, why should she feel so
+responsive, so ready to spend herself, her energy, her whole being at
+the mere suggestion of this young man, whom until last evening, she had
+never thought to exist. She felt that she was as wax in the hands of
+this soldier; she knew it and enjoyed it and only awaited the moment
+when his seal would come down upon her and stamp her more to his liking.
+She was slightly younger than he, and happily his contrary in nearly all
+respects. He was fair, she was dark; his eyes were blue, hers brown; he
+was lusty and showed promise of broadness, she was slender.</p>
+
+<p>Twice she opened her mouth as if to speak to him, and each time she
+dropped again her head in reflective silence. She did not talk to this
+young man as she might to any number of her more intimate acquaintances.
+Even the very silence was magnetic. Further utterance would dispel the
+charm. That she would enlist in his service she knew as well as she knew
+her own existence, but that he should arouse so keen an interest in her,
+so buoyant an attitude, so secure an assurance, amazed her and filled
+her with awe. She had never before experienced quite the same sensation
+that now dismayed her nor had any one ever brought home to her her worth
+as did this young soldier. Yes she would help him, but in what way?</p>
+
+<p>And so they sat and considered and talked. They<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> soon forgot to talk
+about His Excellency, or the Army, or the Shippens. Neither did they
+resolve the doubts that might have been entertained concerning the
+manner of men who frequented the home of Peggy and her sisters; nor the
+Alliance which had just been established, nor the vital signification of
+the event. They just talked over a field of affairs none of which bore
+any special relation to any one save their own selves. At length the old
+clock felt constrained to speak up and frown at them for their unusual
+delay and their profligate waste of tallow and dips.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen rose at once. Marjorie saw him to the door, where she gave him
+her hand in parting.</p>
+
+<p>"We have indeed been honored this day, Captain, and I trust that the
+near future will see a return of the same. I am entirely at your
+service," whispered Marjorie, wondering why the words did not come to
+her more readily.</p>
+
+<p>"On the contrary, Miss Allison, it is I who have been privileged. My
+humble respects to your parents. Adieu!"</p>
+
+<p>He bowed gracefully, wheeled, and went out the door.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>The Corner of Market and Front Streets was brisk with life and activity
+at twelve, the change hour, every day. Here assembled the merchants of
+the city, members of the upper class who cared enough about the rest of
+the world to make an inquiry into its progress; men of leisure about
+town whose vocation in life was to do nothing and who had the entire day
+in which to do it. All conditions, all varieties of character joined the
+ranks. Soldiers, restless from the monotony of army life and desirous of
+the license usually associated with leave of absence; civilians eager in
+the pursuit of truth or of scandal; patriots impatient with the yoke of
+foreign rule; Tories exasperated with the turn of the war and its
+accompanying privations;&mdash;all gathered together at the Old London Coffee
+House day after day.</p>
+
+<p>It stood, an imposing three-storied, square structure, with a great wing
+extending far in the rear. Its huge roof, fashioned for all the world
+after a truncated pyramid with immense gables projecting from its sides,
+gave every indication of having sheltered many a guest from the snows
+and rains of winter. A great chimney ran up the side and continually
+belched forth smoke and sparks, volumes of them, during the days and
+nights of the cold winter season. A portico of no particular style of
+architecture ran around two sides of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> ancient building and afforded
+a meeting place for the majority of the guests. It was furnished with
+many chairs, faithfully tenanted when the season was propitious.</p>
+
+<p>Thither Stephen and Mr. Allison were directing their steps more than a
+week after they had last met at the home of the latter. It was by the
+merest chance they encountered. Stephen was seeking a healthful reaction
+from a vigorous walk through the less-frequented part of the city; Mr.
+Allison was making his daily visit to the Coffee House. Stephen had
+often heard of the tavern, but had never been there. Still he was
+resolved to seek an introduction to its client&egrave;le at the first
+propitious moment. That moment had now come.</p>
+
+<p>Upon entering, their attention was at once arrested by the animated
+discussion in progress at a table in the nearest corner of the room. An
+officer of the Governor's Guard, in full regimentals, booted and
+spurred, in company with a gentleman, finely dressed, was talking loudly
+to Jim Cadwalader, who was seated before them holding a half-opened
+newspaper in his hand. It was plain to be seen that the soldier was
+somewhat under the influence of liquor, yet one could not call him
+intoxicated.</p>
+
+<p>"Gi' me that an' I'll show y'," exclaimed the soldier as he grabbed the
+paper from Cadwalader's hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Y' were told," he went on to read from it, "that it was t' avoid the
+'stabl'shment 'r count'nancin'," he half mumbled the words, "of Pop'ry;
+an that Pop'ry was 'stabl'shed in Canada (where 't was only tol'rated).
+And is not Pop'ry now as much 'stabl'shed by law in your state 's any
+other rel'gion?" "Just what I was sayin'," he interpolated. "So that
+your Gov'nor<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> and all your rulers may be Papists, and you may have a
+Mass-House in ev'ry corner o' your country (as some places already
+'xper'ence)."</p>
+
+<p>"There!" he snarled as he threw back the paper. "Isn't that what I wuz
+tryin' t' tell y'."</p>
+
+<p>"You can't tell me nothin', Forrest," retorted Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Course I can't. Nobody kin. Y' know 't all."</p>
+
+<p>"I can mind my own bus'ness."</p>
+
+<p>"There y' are agin," shouted Forrest, "y' know 't all, ye do."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't say that again," Jim flared back at him. "I'll&mdash;I'll&mdash;I'll&mdash;&mdash;.
+Don't say it again, that's all."</p>
+
+<p>"'Cause y' know 'ts true."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a lie," Jim interrupted him. "Ye know it's a lie. But I don't
+'spect much of ye, 'r of the Gov'nor either. None of ye 'll ever be
+Papists."</p>
+
+<p>"Now you're talkin' sens'ble; first sens'ble thing you've said t'day. No
+Papists here if we kin help it."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen and Mr. Allison, keenly interested in this remark, moved nearer
+to the table. Cadwalader was well known to Mr. Allison. The others were
+total strangers.</p>
+
+<p>"What's he goin' t' do about the help from France? Refuse it 'cause it's
+from a Catholic country?" asked Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"He don't like it and never did."</p>
+
+<p>"Is he fool 'nough t' think we can win this war without help?"</p>
+
+<p>"He won it once."</p>
+
+<p>"When?"</p>
+
+<p>"Saratoga."</p>
+
+<p>"That's his story. We didn't have it won and it won't be won without
+troops and with somethin' besides shin-plasters." He turned sideways,
+crossed one leg<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> over the other and began to drum upon the table.</p>
+
+<p>"We must hev help," he went on. "We must hev it and it must come from
+France 'r Spain."</p>
+
+<p>"They y' are agin," repeated Forrest, "as if one wuzn't as much under
+th' Pope as th' other."</p>
+
+<p>"Forrest!" he turned toward him and shook his finger at him in a
+menacing sort of way. "Don't say that agin. Mind what I tell ye. Don't
+say it again&mdash;that's all. When I'm mad, I'm not myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that so? I s'pose I'm wrong agin, an' you're right. Tell me this.
+What did yer fool leg'slature in Vi'ginya do th' other day?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know," murmured Jim. "What did they do?"</p>
+
+<p>"There y' are agin. I thought y' knew it all. Think y' know ev'rythin'
+an' y' know nothin'. Passed a resolution fur a Papist priest, didn't
+they?"</p>
+
+<p>"And why?" pronounced Jim, flushed with anger, his lower lip quivering
+with emotion. "'Cause he did more fur his country, than you or I'll ever
+do. Father Gibault! And if it wazn't fur him, Colonel Clark'd never hev
+op'nd th' Northwest."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just what I say. The Papists'll soon own the whole damn
+country."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen and Mr. Allison moved as if to join the discussion, which had at
+this juncture become loud enough to lose the character of intimacy. Jim
+was well known to the guests of the house. The man who was known as
+Forrest, was, it was plain from his uniform, a Colonel in the army. The
+other man was a stranger. Much younger than his companion, tall, manly,
+clad in a suit of black, with his hair in full dress, well-powdered and
+gathered behind in a large silken bag, he gave every appearance of
+culture and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>refinement. He wore a black cocked hat, whose edges were
+adorned with a black feather about an inch in depth, his knees as well
+as his shoes adorned with silver buckles.</p>
+
+<p>"If they did own th' country," was Jim's grave reply, "we'd hev a
+healthier place to live in than we now hev."</p>
+
+<p>"An' whose doin' it?" shouted Forrest. "The Papists."</p>
+
+<p>"Thou liest!" interrupted Mr. Allison, intruding himself into their
+midst, "a confounded lie. Remember, the Catholics have given their all
+to this war&mdash;their goods, their money, their sons."</p>
+
+<p>"Heigh-ho! who're you?" asked the soldier. "What d' you know 'bout the
+army? Hardly 'nough 'f them to go aroun'."</p>
+
+<p>"A malicious untruth. Why, half the rebel army itself is reported to
+have come from Ireland."</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"From the testimony of General Robertson in the House of Lords. And if
+these soldiers are Irishmen, you can wager they're Catholics. And why
+should we pass laws 'gainst these crowds of Irish Papists and convicts
+who are yearly poured upon us, unless they were Catholic convicts
+fleeing from the laws of persecution?"</p>
+
+<p>"What ails ye, Forrest," rejoined Jim, "can't be cured."</p>
+
+<p>"Take care 'f yourself," angrily retorted the Colonel, "an' I'll take
+care o' myself."</p>
+
+<p>"If ye did, and yer likes did the same, we'd git along better and the
+war'd be over. I s'pose ye know that yer friend Jay lost Canada to us."</p>
+
+<p>"What if he did. Wazn't he right?"</p>
+
+<p>And then he explained to him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>Canada had been surrendered to England by France in a clause of the
+Treaty of Paris in 1763, with a stipulation, however, that the people of
+the territory in question would be permitted the free use of the French
+language, the prescriptions of the French code of laws, and the practice
+of the Catholic religion.</p>
+
+<p>South of this region and west of the English colonies between the Ohio
+and the Mississippi rivers, stretched a vast expanse of territory known
+as the Northwest Territory, where dwelt a large population without laws,
+with no organized form of government save the mere caprices of petty
+military tyrants, placed over them by the various seaboard colonies who
+severally laid claim to the district. At the request of the people of
+Canada it was voted by the English Parliament to reannex the territory
+northwest of the Ohio to Canada and to permit the settlers to share in
+the rights and privileges of the Canadian province. This was effected by
+the Quebec Act in 1774.</p>
+
+<p>It was truly a remarkable concession. The inhabitants of this vast
+stretch of territory were freed for all time from the tyranny of
+military despots, their lands and churches secured to them and their
+priests given a legal title to their tithes. It was the freest exercise
+of the Catholic religion under the laws of the English Government.</p>
+
+<p>But what a storm of abuse and protestation was raised by the fanatical
+portion of the Protestant population! The newspapers of the day abounded
+with articles, with songs and squibs against the King and His
+Parliament. The mother country witnessed no less virulent a campaign
+than the colonies themselves. "We<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span> may live to see our churches," writes
+one writer to the <i>Pennsylvania Packet</i>, "converted into mass-houses,
+and our lands plundered of tithes for the support of a Popish clergy.
+The Inquisition may erect her standard in Pennsylvania and the city of
+Philadelphia may yet experience the carnage of St. Bartholomew's day."
+Processions were formed about the country and in some places the bust of
+George III, adorned with miter, beads and a pectoral cross, was carried
+in triumphal march.</p>
+
+<p>The forms of protest found their way ultimately into the halls of the
+First American Congress which convened in Philadelphia in 1774. The
+recent legislation was enumerated among the wrongs done the colonies by
+the mother country. Feeling became so bitter that an address was issued
+by the Congress on the fifth of September, 1774, "to the people of Great
+Britain" saying: "We think the Legislature of Great Britain is not
+authorized by the Constitution to establish a religion, fraught with
+sanguinary and impious tenets, or to erect an arbitrary form of
+government in any quarter of the globe." "By another act the Dominion of
+Canada is to be extended, modeled and governed, as that being disunited
+from us, detached from our interests by civil as well as religious
+prejudices, that by their numbers daily swelling with Catholic emigrants
+from Europe, and by their devotion to administration so friendly to
+their religion, they might become formidable to us, and on occasion be
+fit instruments in the hands of power to reduce the ancient free
+Protestant colonies to the same state of slavery with themselves."
+Little did they think that the breach they were attempting to heal was
+widened by their procedure. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span> author of the address was John Jay, a
+lawyer from New York, with whom Papaphobia was a mania.</p>
+
+<p>Nor did the failure of this method of diplomacy become apparent until
+several years later. The measure of appreciation and the expression of
+sentiment of the Canadian people in regard to this ill-timed and
+unchristian address, conceived in a fit of passion and by no means
+representative of the sentiments of the saner portion of the population,
+took expression at a more critical time. When, in 1776, the members of
+the same Congress, viewing with alarm the magnitude of the struggle upon
+which they had entered and to whose success they had pledged their
+honor, their fortunes and their lives, sought to enlist the resources of
+their neighbors in Canada, they met with a sudden and calamitous
+disappointment. To effect an alliance with the border brethren, three
+commissioners were appointed&mdash;Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and
+Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Father John Carroll, a Jesuit priest, was
+invited by the Congress to accompany the party.</p>
+
+<p>Arriving in Canada, it soon became evident to the committee, that their
+mission was to be unproductive of results. The government did not take
+kindly to them, nor would the Bishop of Quebec and his clergy trust the
+vague expressions of the United Colonies, whose statute books, they
+pointed out, still bore the most bitter and unchristian sentiments
+against all priests and adherents of the ancient church. Bigotry had
+apparently defeated their purpose. How it had done this was still quite
+obscure, until it was discovered that the British Government had taken
+John Jay's address, translated it into French and spread it broadcast
+throughout Canada. "Behold the spirit of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span> Colonists," it went on to
+remind the people, "and if you join forces with them, they will turn on
+you and extirpate your religion, in the same manner as they did in the
+Catholic colony of Maryland."</p>
+
+<p>The effect is historical. The commissioners were compelled to return;
+the brave Montgomery was killed before the walls of the city; Canada was
+lost to the Colonies and forever forfeited as an integral part of the
+United States; all of which was due to the narrowness and intolerance of
+those who in the supreme hour could not refrain from the fanaticism of
+bigotry.</p>
+
+<p>It must be said, however, out of justice to the colonists that they did
+not persist in their spirit of antagonism towards the Catholics. The
+commencement of the struggle against the common foe, together with the
+sympathetic and magnanimous concurrence of the Catholics with the
+patriots in all things, soon changed their prejudice in favor of a more
+united and vigorous effort in behalf of their joint claims. The despised
+Papists now became ardent and impetuous patriots. The leaders in the
+great struggle soon began to reflect an added luster to the nation that
+gave them birth and to the Church which taught them devotion to their
+land. The rank and file began to swarm with men of the Catholic faith,
+so many, indeed, that their great Archbishop, John Carroll, could write
+of them that "their blood flowed as freely (in proportion to their
+numbers) to cement the fabric of independence, as that of any of their
+fellow citizens. They concurred with perhaps greater unanimity than any
+other body of men in recommending and promoting that government from
+whose influence America anticipates all the blessings of justice, peace,
+plenty, good order, and civil and religious liberty."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span></p><p>Only among the few was the spirit of intolerance still rampant, and
+among these might be numbered Colonel Forrest.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"See now who's t' blame, don't ye? The likes o' ye an' that poltroon,
+Jay, up there in New York. See who started this affair, don't ye?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's what you say. Egad, I could say all that an' save half the
+breath. I've got my 'pinion, though, and that'll do fur me."</p>
+
+<p>"Ye're so narrow, Forrest, ye've only one side."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that so? Well, so is the Governor."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that his opinion, too?" impatiently asked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"Does he view matters in that light?"</p>
+
+<p>"Did I say he did."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>There was no further response.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen had, by this time, become thoroughly exasperated with this man,
+and was about to eject him forcibly from the room. His better judgment,
+however, bade him restrain himself. A tilt in a public drinking house
+would only noise his name abroad and perhaps give rise to much
+unpleasantness.</p>
+
+<p>"How can a man consistently be subject to any civil ruler when he
+already has pledged his allegiance, both in soul and in body, to another
+potentate?"</p>
+
+<p>This from the man in black, the fourth member of the party, who
+heretofore had maintained an impartial and respectful silence, not so
+much from choice <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>perhaps as through necessity. His name proved to be
+John Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"You mean an alien?" Stephen inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"If you are pleased so to term it. The Pope is a temporal lord, you
+understand, and as such is due allegiance from every one of his
+subjects."</p>
+
+<p>And then Stephen took pains to explain, clearly and concisely, the great
+difference between the two authorities&mdash;the civil and the religious. The
+Prince of Peace had said, "Render unto C&aelig;esar the things that are
+C&aelig;esar's, and to God the things that are God's," which declaration
+admitted of an interpretation at once comprehensive and exclusive. He
+explained how the Catholic found himself a member of two distinct and
+perfect societies, each independent and absolute within its own sphere,
+the one deriving its charter from the natural law, the other directly
+from God. He then pointed out how these societies lived in perfect
+harmony, although armed with two swords, the one spiritual, the other
+temporal, weapons which were intended never to clash but to fight side
+by side for the promotion of man's happiness, temporal and eternal.</p>
+
+<p>"But it is inconceivable how a clash can be avoided," Mr. Anderson
+reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"Not when it is remembered that each authority is independent of the
+other. The Church has no power over civil legislation in matters purely
+secular, nor has the state a right to interfere in ecclesiastical
+legislation, in matters purely spiritual, nor over spiritual persons
+considered strictly as such. In every Catholic country the King, as well
+as the humblest peasant, is subject to the laws of his country in
+secular matters, and to the laws of his church in matters spiritual."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p><p>"Yet at the same time he cannot fail to recognize that the one is
+superior to the other."</p>
+
+<p>"Only in so far as the spiritual order is superior to the secular."</p>
+
+<p>"Not in temporal affairs as well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not in the least. Only in the recognition of the fact that the
+salvation of the soul is of more importance than the welfare of the
+body. In this is the mission of the state considered inferior to that of
+the Church."</p>
+
+<p>"If this be true, how can a Catholic pay allegiance to a society which
+he believes to be a subordinate one?"</p>
+
+<p>"He does not consider it subordinate. It is supreme within its own
+sphere. Theoretically it is subordinate in this: that the care of the
+soul comes first; then that of the body. The state is the greatest
+institution in matters secular, and in this respect superior to the
+Church. The Church makes no pretense of infallibility in statesmanship.
+Hence, a Catholic who is true to his Church and her teachings makes the
+best citizen."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because, to him, patriotism is inculcated by religion. Throughout his
+whole life his soul has been nurtured by his Church on a twofold
+pabulum,&mdash;love of God and love of country."</p>
+
+<p>"The Catholic Church expressly teaches that? I thought&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," agreed Stephen, interrupting him. "The Catholic has been
+taught that the civil authority, to which he owes and pays allegiance,
+is something divine; for him it is the authority of God vested in His
+creatures and he gives ear to its voice and yields to it a sweet and
+humble submission as befits a child of God,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> doing His Will in all
+things. For he recognizes therein the sound of the Divine Voice."</p>
+
+<p>"I see."</p>
+
+<p>"He remembers the teaching of his Church, derived from the words of St.
+Paul writing on this subject to the citizens of Rome, 'Let every man be
+subject to higher powers, for there is no power but from God; and those
+that are, are ordained of God,' and the letter of St. Peter, the first
+Pope, 'Be ye subject, therefore, to every human creature for God's sake;
+whether it be to the king as excelling; or to governors as sent by
+him&mdash;for so is the will of God.'"</p>
+
+<p>"You must have been reading the Bible," interrupted Mr. Allison with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I have," answered Stephen, as he continued with little or no attention
+to the interruption.</p>
+
+<p>"The Catholic obeys the voice of his rightly constituted authority
+because he feels that he is obeying the voice of his God, and when he
+yields obedience to the law of his land, he feels that he is yielding
+obedience to God Himself. His ruler is the mouthpiece of God; the
+Constitution of his state a most sacred thing because it is the
+embodiment of the authority of God and he would rather die than commit
+any untoward or unlawful deed which might undermine or destroy it,
+precisely because it is from God."</p>
+
+<p>There was no response. All had listened with attention to Stephen as he
+emphasized point after point. All, save Colonel Forrest, who wore a
+sardonic smile throughout it all.</p>
+
+<p>"You should 've talked like that on Guy Fawkes' Day," he muttered, "if
+you wanted t' hev some fun. We'd hev some hot tar fur you."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God!" replied Stephen. "We shall witness<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> no more such outbreaks
+of fanaticism. They have long enough disgraced our country. They are, I
+trust, forever ended."</p>
+
+<p>"The Pope Day Celebration ended?" asked Anderson in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so. Since General Washington issued the order soon after taking
+command of the army, abolishing the celebration, the practice has never
+been resumed."</p>
+
+<p>"Wash'ton thinks he owns th' country," mumbled Forrest in a half
+articulate manner. "Likes th' Papists, he does. No more Pope Day!
+Cath'lic gen'rals! French al-lies! P'rhaps 'll send fur th' Pope next.
+Give 'm 'is house, p'rhaps. Give 'im th' whole coun'ry. No damn good to
+us, he ain't. No damn good&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The next moment Stephen was upon him with his hands about his throat,
+his face flaming with rage and passion.</p>
+
+<p>"You hound! No more of that; or your treason will end forever."</p>
+
+<p>He shook his head violently, tightening his fingers about his throat. As
+he did, Forrest writhing in the chair under his attack, began to fumble
+with his hand at his hip as if instinctively seeking something there.
+Stephen's eyes followed the movement, even while he, too, relaxed his
+hold to seize with his free hand the arm of his adversary. Only for a
+moment, however; for he immediately felt himself seized from behind by
+the shoulders and dragged backwards from his man and completely
+overpowered.</p>
+
+<p>The man who was known as Anderson took charge of the Colonel, helping
+him to his feet, and without<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> further words led him to one side of the
+room, talking softly but deliberately to him as he did so.</p>
+
+<p>A moment later they had passed through the door and vanished down the
+street in the direction of the Square.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>The morrow was one of those rare days when all nature seems to invite
+one to go forth and enjoy the good things within her keeping. The
+sunrise was menacing; unless the wind shifted before noon it would be
+uncomfortably warm. Still, the air was bracing and fragrant with the
+soft perfume distilled by the pines.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen felt in tune with nature as he made his early morning toilet. He
+gazed the while into the garden from his widely opened window, and
+responded instinctively to the call of the countryside. The disagreeable
+episode of the preceding day had left unpleasant recollections in his
+mind which disconcerted him not a little during his waking hours, the
+time when the stream of consciousness begins to flow with an
+unrestrained rapidity, starting with the more impressive memories of the
+night before. He did not repent his action; he might have repeated the
+performance under similar circumstances, yet he chided himself for his
+lack of reserve and composure and his great want of respect to a
+superior officer.</p>
+
+<p>He was early mounted and on his way, striking off in the direction of
+the Germantown Road. He had left word with his landlady of his intended
+destination, with the added remark that he would be back in a short
+time, a couple of hours at the most, and that he would attend to the
+business of the day upon his return.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> What that might amount to he had
+no idea at all, being preoccupied entirely with what he had to do in the
+immediate present, for he made it a point never to permit the more
+serious affairs of life to intrude upon his moments of relaxation.</p>
+
+<p>He was a pleasant figure to look upon; smooth-faced and athletic, well
+mounted and dressed with great preciseness. On his well shaped hands he
+wore leathern gauntlets; he was in his uniform of buff and blue; beneath
+his coat he had his steel-buckled belt with his holster and pistol in
+it; he wore his cocked hat with a buff cockade affixed, the insignia of
+his rank in the service.</p>
+
+<p>The road lay in the direction of Marjorie's house. Perhaps he chose to
+ride along this way in order that he might be obliged to pass her door,
+and then again, perhaps, that was but of secondary import. This was no
+time for analysis, and so he refused to study his motives. He did know
+that he had not seen her for a long time, the longest time it seemed,
+and that he had had no word from her since their last meeting, save the
+intelligence received from her father yesterday in response to his
+repeated inquiries concerning her welfare and that of her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us turn up here, Dolly, old girl." He leaned forward a little to
+pat the mare's neck affectionately as he spoke; while at the same time
+he pulled the right rein slightly, turning her head in the direction
+indicated. "And, if we are fortunate, we shall catch a glimpse of her."</p>
+
+<p>Dolly raised her ears very erect and opened full her nostrils as if to
+catch some possible scent of her, of whom he spoke. She pierced the
+distance with her eyes, but saw no one and so settled herself into an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>
+easy canter, for she knew it to be more to her rider's advantage to
+proceed at a slowing pace until they had passed the house in question.</p>
+
+<p>"You are an intelligent old girl, Dolly, but I must not let you too far
+into the secrets of my mind. Still, you have shared my delights and woes
+alike and have been my one faithful friend. Why should I not tell you?"</p>
+
+<p>And yet they had been friends for no great length of time. It was at
+Valley Forge they had met, shortly after Stephen's appointment to
+General Washington's staff. As an aide he was required to be mounted and
+it was by a piece of good fortune that he had been allowed to choose
+from several the chestnut mare that now bore him. He had given her the
+best of care and affection and she reciprocated in as intelligent a
+manner as she knew how.</p>
+
+<p>"You have served well, but I feel that there is much greater work before
+us, much greater than our quest of the present."</p>
+
+<p>They were nearing the house. For some reason or other, Dolly whinnied as
+he spoke, probably in acquiescence to his thought, probably in
+recognition of the presence of her rival. She might have seen, had she
+cared to turn her head, a trim, lithe form passing to the rear of the
+house. Stephen took pains to see her, however, and, as she turned her
+head, doffed his hat in salute. The next moment Dolly felt the reins
+tighten, and, whether she desired it or not, found her head turned in
+that direction. Her rider was soon dismounted and was leading her to the
+side of the road.</p>
+
+<p>"You are early astir, Mistress Marjorie. I had anticipated no such
+pleasure this morning."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed mutual," replied Marjorie, smiling as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> she offered him her
+hand. "How came you so early? No new turn of events, I hope!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not in the least. I desired a few hours in the saddle before the heat
+of the day set in, and my guardian angel must have directed me along
+this path."</p>
+
+<p>Dolly raised both her ears and turned towards him, while she noisily
+brought her hoof down upon the sod.</p>
+
+<p>"What a rascal!" she thought to herself.</p>
+
+<p>The girl dropped her eyes demurely and then asked hurriedly:</p>
+
+<p>"There are no new developments?"</p>
+
+<p>"None that I know of."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing came of the trouble at the Inn?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"All. Father told me."</p>
+
+<p>"He should not have told you."</p>
+
+<p>"It was my doing. I gave him no peace until I had learned all."</p>
+
+<p>Dolly grew weary of this pleasantry and wandered away to gladden her
+lips on the choice morsels of the tender grass.</p>
+
+<p>"I deeply regret my indiscretion, though it was for his sake."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean&mdash;&mdash;?"</p>
+
+<p>"His Excellency."</p>
+
+<p>"I might have done likewise, were I able. Colonel Forrest is most
+disagreeable."</p>
+
+<p>"He was not wholly culpable and so I forgave his insulting remarks
+against us, but I forgot myself entirely when General Washington's name
+was besmirched."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear further trouble," she sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"From him?"</p>
+
+<p>She nodded her head.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p><p>"Nonsense! There will be naught said about the whole affair and it will
+end where it began. Forrest is no fool."</p>
+
+<p>"I have other news for you, Captain," announced Marjorie, her eyes
+beaming at the prospect.</p>
+
+<p>"And how long have you been preserving it for me?" asked Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>"But a few days."</p>
+
+<p>"And you made no attempt to see me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Had I not met you now, I would have done so this day," answered
+Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"You would have written?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps."</p>
+
+<p>"It is my forfeiture to your reserve."</p>
+
+<p>"And made gallantly."</p>
+
+<p>"Come now! What had you to tell?"</p>
+
+<p>"This. Peggy desires the honor of your company. You will receive the
+invitation in a day or two. Just an informal affair, yet I sensed the
+possibility of your pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"You did right. I am pleased as I am honored, but neither so much as I
+am elated at the hopes for the future. Of course, I shall accept, but
+you will have to promise to denote my path for me in the tangled maze of
+society, in whose company I am as yet merely a novice."</p>
+
+<p>"Lud! I ne'er heard one so illiberal of his graces."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor one more candid," Stephen rejoined as quickly. If he were good at
+repartee he had met with one who was equally as apt.</p>
+
+<p>"You know the Governor will be in attendance," she declared in a
+matter-of-fact manner.</p>
+
+<p>"How should I know that? Is it unusual for him to frequent the company
+of the gay?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p><p>"Not of late, the more especially where the presence of Peggy is
+concerned," added the little tale-bearer with a keen though reckless
+wit.</p>
+
+<p>"And why Peggy?" He was innocent enough in his question.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you not heard of His Excellency's courting? Mr. Shippen has
+already made public the rumor that a certain great General is laying
+close siege to the heart of Peggy. And I have Peggy's own word for it."</p>
+
+<p>"To Peggy?" He asked with evident surprise. "Why, she but halves his
+age, and he is already a widower."</p>
+
+<p>"With three sons," Marjorie gayly added. "No matter. Peggy will meet the
+disparity of ages by the disparity of stations. She has avowed to me
+that no one dares to question the social pre&euml;minence of the Military
+Governor, nor the fact that he is the most dashing and perhaps most
+successful general of the Continental Army. Position in life is of prime
+importance to her."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that so? I had not so judged her," was the comment.</p>
+
+<p>"She admits that herself, and makes no secret of it before any one. Did
+you not observe her sullen silence at the Ball upon learning of the
+identity of her inferior partner? And that she sat out the major portion
+of the dance in company with the Military Governor?"</p>
+
+<p>"It escaped my attention, for I was too deeply concerned with another
+matter which distracted me for the entire evening," he answered with a
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>She pretended to take no notice, however, and continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he has been calling regularly since that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>evening, and this quiet
+and informal function has been arranged primarily in his honor, although
+it will not be announced as such. You will go?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be pleased to accept her invitation. May I accompany you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I almost hoped you would say that. Men folks are so sadly
+wanting in intuition."</p>
+
+<p>"Friday, then? Adieu! The pleasure that awaits me is immeasurable."</p>
+
+<p>"Until Friday."</p>
+
+<p>She extended to him her hand, which he pressed. A moment later he was
+mounted.</p>
+
+<p>"My kindest to your mother. She will understand." Dolly broke into a
+gallop.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>Marjorie stood at the gate post until he was quite lost from view around
+the turn of the road. He did not look back, yet she thought that he
+might have. She slowly turned and as slowly began to walk towards the
+house, there to resume the duties which had suffered a pleasant
+interruption.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, she tried to analyze this young man. He was rather deep, of
+few words on any given subject, but wholly non-communicative as regards
+himself. He perhaps was possessed of more intuition than his manner
+would reveal, although he gave every appearance of arriving at his
+conclusions by the sheer force of logic. His words and deeds never
+betrayed his whole mind, of that she was certain, yet he could assert
+himself rather forcibly when put to the test, as in the painful incident
+at the Coffee House. He would never suffer from soul-paralysis, thought
+she, for want of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span> decision or resolution, for both were written full
+upon him.</p>
+
+<p>That she was strangely attracted to him she knew very well, but why and
+how she was unable to discover. This was but their third meeting, yet
+she felt as if she had known him all her life, so frank, so unreserved,
+so open, so secure did she feel in his presence. It seemed the most
+natural thing in the world for her to have waved her hand in salute to
+him that morning as he passed; she did it with the same unconcern as if
+she had known him all her life. She felt it within her, that was all,
+and could give no other possible interpretation to her action.</p>
+
+<p>There was something prepossessing about him. Perhaps it was his faculty
+for doing the unexpected. Most women desire to meet a man who is
+possessed of a distinctive individuality, who lends continual interest
+to them by his departure from the trite and commonplace. What Stephen
+might say or do was an entirely unknown quantity until it had actually
+taken place, and this attracted her on the instant, whether she was
+conscious of it or not. His manner, too, was affable, and gave him an
+air at once pleasing and good-natured. He never flattered, yet said most
+agreeable things, putting one perfectly at ease and inspiring sympathy
+and courage. He bore himself well; erect, manly, dignified, without
+ostentation or display. His seriousness, his evenness, his gravity, his
+constancy and his decision stamped him with a certain authority, a man
+of marked personality and character.</p>
+
+<p>So she mused as she entered the door, her thoughts in a lofty hegira to
+the far off land of make believe&mdash;her better self striving to marshal
+them to the cold realities of duty that lay before her. She had been<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>
+cleaning the little addition at the rear of the dwelling proper, used as
+a kitchen, and her work took her into the yard. Dolly's whinny had
+caused her to turn her head, and the next moment cares and
+responsibilities and all else were forgotten. Now she wondered what she
+had been about! Seizing a cloth she began to dust industriously. The
+crash of one of the dishes on the kitchen floor brought her to her
+senses. Her mother heard the noise from the adjoining room.</p>
+
+<p>"What ails thee, child? Hast thou lost thy reason?"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe so, mommy. I must have been thinking of other things." And
+she stooped to gather the fragments.</p>
+
+<p>"Was it Captain Meagher? I saw you two at the gate."</p>
+
+<p>A guilty smile stole over the corners of her mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"He was passing while I was in the yard, and he stopped only to wish me
+the greetings of the day. I was right glad that he did, for I had an
+opportunity of extending to him the invitation from Peggy."</p>
+
+<p>"He will go, I suppose?" she queried, knowing well what the answer might
+be. She did not spare the time to stop for conversation, but continued
+with her duties.</p>
+
+<p>"He is quite pleased. And, mommy, he will call for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Be careful, now, to break no more dishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Lud! I have not lost my head yet. That was purely an accident which
+will not happen again."</p>
+
+<p>"That poor unfortunate Spangler made a better defense."</p>
+
+<p>"He deserved what he got. So did Lieutenant Lyons and the other officers
+of the Ranger who deserted to the enemy. But my sympathies go out to the
+old man who kept the gates under the city. These<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> court-martials are
+becoming too common and I don't like them."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the horrible side of war, my dear. And until our people learn
+the value of patriotism, the need of abolishing all foreign ties and
+strongly adhering to the land that has offered them a home and a living,
+the necessity of these dreadful measures will never cease."</p>
+
+<p>"A little power is a dangerous weapon to thrust into a man's hand,
+unless he be great enough to wield it."</p>
+
+<p>"Now you are going to say that General Arnold is to blame for these
+tragedies."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am not. But I do think that a great deal more of clemency could
+be exercised. Many of those poor tradesmen who were convicted and
+sentenced to be hanged could have been pardoned with equal security."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the law, my dear, and the law is God's will. Leave all to Him."</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Allison was one of those good souls who saw no harm in the vilest
+of creatures; faults were hidden by her veil of sympathy. When
+distressing reverses or abject despair visited any one, Mrs. Allison's
+affability and indescribable tenderness smoothed over the troubled
+situation and brought forth a gleam of gladness. Quiet, kindly,
+magnanimous, tolerant, she could touch hearts to the depths in a manner
+both winning and lasting. Whether the fault entailed a punishment
+undeserved or inevitable, her feeling of pity was excited. She always
+sympathized without accusing or probing the source of the evil. She
+stretched forth a helping hand merely to aid. No nature, however hard,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>
+could be impervious to the sympathy and the sweetness of her
+affectionate disposition.</p>
+
+<p>Motherly was the quality written full upon Mrs. Allison's face. Her
+thoughts, her schemes, her purposes, her ambitions of life, were all
+colored by this maternal attribute. In her daily homage and obeisance to
+God, Whom she worshiped with the most childlike faith and simplicity; in
+the execution of the manifold duties of her home, Marjorie was to her
+ever a treasure of great price. She was sustained in her aims and
+purposes by an enduring power of will,&mdash;a power clothed with the soft,
+warm, living flesh of a kindly heart.</p>
+
+<p>Her marriage with Matthew Allison had been happy, a happiness
+intensified and concretely embodied in Marjorie, the only child
+vouchsafed to them by the Creator. How often, at the time when the
+deepening shadows moved their way across the dimming landscape,
+announcing to the work worn world the close of another day, would she
+sit for a brief while in silence and take complacence in the object of
+her hopes and aspirations! It was Marjorie for whom she lived and toiled
+and purposed. And it was Marjorie who embodied the sum-total of her
+fancies and ambitions and aspirations, and translated them into definite
+forms and realities.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>A beautiful landscape unrolled itself before Stephen as he leisurely
+rode along the Germantown road. The midsummer sun was now high in the
+heavens, with just a little stir in the air to temper its warmth and
+oppressiveness. Fragments of clouds, which seemed to have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> torn
+themselves loose from some great heap massed beyond the ridge of low
+hills to the westward, drifted lazily across the waste of blue sky,
+wholly unconcerned as to their ultimate lot or destination. Breaths of
+sweet odor, from freshly cut hay or the hidden foliage bounding the
+road, were wafted along in the embraces of the gentle breeze. Away to
+the left and before him, as his horse cantered along, swelled the
+countryside in gentle undulations of green and brown, disfigured now and
+again by irregular patches of field and orchard yielding to cultivation;
+while to the side a stone wall humped itself along the winding road into
+the distance, its uniformity of contour broken here and there by a
+trellis work of yellow jasmine or crimson rambler, alternately
+reflecting lights and shadows from the passing clouds and sunshine. It
+was a day when all nature was in perfect tune, its harmony sweetly
+blending with the notes of gladness that throbbed in Stephen's heart.
+Yet he was scarce aware of it all, so completely absorbed was he in the
+confusion of his own thought.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen had a very clear idea of what he was to do in the immediate
+present, but he had no idea at all of what was to be done in the
+immediate future. First of all he would attend Mistress Marjorie at this
+informal affair, where, perhaps, he might learn more about the Military
+Governor. He half surmised that His Excellency was not kindly disposed
+towards Catholics in general, although he could not remember any
+concrete case in particular to substantiate his claim. Still he knew
+that he was avowedly opposed to the French Alliance, as were many
+illustrious citizens; and he presumed his feelings were due in part at
+least to the fact that France was a recognized Catholic country. There
+was a negative argument, too: no Catholic<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> name was ever found among his
+appointments. These were but surmises, not evidence upon which to base
+even a suspicion. Nevertheless, they were worthy of some consideration
+until a conclusion of a more definite nature was warranted.</p>
+
+<p>That the Governor was becoming decidedly more unpopular every day and
+that this unpopularity was quite consequential, more consequential if
+anything than preconceived,&mdash;for it cannot be gainsaid that many had
+frowned upon his appointment from the very beginning,&mdash;Meagher knew very
+well. Unfavorable comparisons already had been drawn between the gayety
+of life under a free country and that of a colonial government. The fact
+that Arnold possessed the finest stable of horses in the city, and
+entertained at the most costly of dinners, at a time when the manner of
+living was extremely frugal, not so much from choice as from necessity,
+and at a time when the value of the Continental currency had depreciated
+to almost nothing, occasioned a host of acrid criticisms not only in the
+minds of the displeased populace, but also in the less friendly columns
+of the daily press.</p>
+
+<p>Censures of the harshest nature were continually uttered against the
+Governor's conduct of the affairs of the city government together with
+his earlier order closing the shops. Now, the use that he began to make
+of the government wagons in moving the stores excited further complaints
+of a more public nature, the more so that no particular distinction was
+being made as to whether the stores belonged to the Whigs or the
+offending Tories. It was no idle gossip that he curried favor with the
+upper Tory class of the city, now particular mention was made of his
+infatuation with the daughter of Edward Shippen. It was whispered, too,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>
+that the misuse of his authority in the grant of safe passes to and from
+New York had led to the present act of the Congress in recalling all
+passes. Stephen knew all this and he logically surmised more; so he
+longed for the opportunity to study intimately this man now occupying
+the highest military post in the city and the state.</p>
+
+<p>For the present he would return home and bide his time until Friday
+evening when he would have the happiness of escorting Marjorie to the
+home of Peggy Shippen.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder, Dolly, old girl, if I can make myself bold enough to call her
+'Marjorie.' 'Marjorie,' Margaret,'" he repeated them over to himself. "I
+don't know which is the prettier. She would be a pearl among women, and
+she is, isn't she, Dolly?"</p>
+
+<p>He would ask her at any rate. He would be her partner for the evening,
+would dance with her, and would sit by her side. Peggy would be there,
+too, and the General. He would observe them closely, and perchance,
+converse with them. Colonel Forrest and the General's active
+aide-de-camp, Major Franks, a Philadelphian, and a Jew would also be
+present. Altogether the evening promised to be interesting as well as
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>He was musing in this manner when he heard the hoof beats of a horse,
+heavily ridden, gaining upon him in the rear. He drew up and half turned
+instinctively at the strange yet familiar sound. Suddenly there hove
+into view at the bend of the road an officer of the Continental Army, in
+full uniform, booted and spurred, whose appearance caused him to turn
+full about to await him. It was not long before he recognized the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>
+familiar figure of the aide, Major Franks, and he lifted his arm to
+salute.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher, I have orders for your arrest."</p>
+
+<p>"Sir?" answered Stephen in alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"On charges preferred by Colonel Forrest. You are to come with me at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>An embarrassing silence ensued.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen then saluted, and handed over his side arms. He wheeled his
+horse and set off in the direction indicated, his thoughts in a turmoil.</p>
+
+<p>The Major fell in at the rear.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<div class="block">
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<div>"For still my mem'ry lingers on the scenes</div>
+<div class="i1">And pleasures of the days beyond recall."</div>
+</div></div></div>
+
+<p>Peggy's voice, timid, soft though pretty, died away into an enraptured
+silence which seemed to endure for the longest while before the room
+burst into a generous measure of applause. She was very well accompanied
+on the clavichord by Miss Rutteledge and on the harp by Monsieur Ottow,
+Secretary to the French Minister. The evening had been delightful; the
+assembly brilliant in quality, and unaffectedly congenial and diverting.
+The music had contributed much to the pleasures of the function, for the
+Shippens' was one of the few homes in the city where such a resource was
+at all possible.</p>
+
+<p>"Major! Major Franks! What do you think of my little girl? Do you think
+'twould be well for her to cultivate such a voice?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Shippen turned sideways. There was gratification, genuine,
+complacent gratification, visible in every line of her smiling face.</p>
+
+<p>"Splendid! Splendid! Of course. Madame, she sings very prettily,"
+replied the Major, gathering himself from the state of partial repose
+into which he had fallen.</p>
+
+<p>He sat up.</p>
+
+<p>"And do you know, Major," went on the fond<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span> mother, "she never had a
+tutor, except some of our dear friends who made this their home during
+the winter."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean the British?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course they did not make so free with everybody in the city, with
+only a few, you know. It was for General Howe himself that Margaret
+first made bold enough to sing."</p>
+
+<p>"She does very well, I am sure," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>The little group again lapsed into silence as Peggy responded with an
+encore, this selection being a patriotic air of a lighter vein. The
+Major again lapsed into an easy attitude, but Mrs. Shippen was visibly
+intent upon every motion of the singer and followed her every syllable.</p>
+
+<p>"How much does music contribute to one's pleasure!" she remarked when
+the conversation began to stir.</p>
+
+<p>"It is charming," Mr. Anderson observed.</p>
+
+<p>"And do you know that we inherited that clavichord? It is one of the
+oldest in the country."</p>
+
+<p>"It appears to be of rare design," remarked Mr. Anderson, as his eyes
+pierced the distance in a steady observance of it.</p>
+
+<p>"It belonged to Mr. Shippen's father," she boasted. "This house, you
+know, was the home of Edward Shippen, who was Mayor of the city over an
+hundred years ago. It was then, if I do say it, the most pretentious
+home in the city. My husband was for disposing of it and removing to
+less fashionable quarters, but I would not hear of it. Never!"</p>
+
+<p>Major Franks surveyed the great room deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>"'Twould make a fine castle!" he commented as he half turned and crossed
+one knee over the other. He<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> felt that this would be his last visit if
+he continued to take any less interest, yet even that apparently caused
+him no great concern.</p>
+
+<p>And yet, a great house it was, the quondam residence of Edward Shippen,
+the progenitor of the present family, a former Mayor of the city, who
+had fled thither from Boston where he had suffered persecution at the
+hands of the Puritans who could not allow him to be a Quaker. It stood
+on an eminence outside the city. It was well surrounded, with its great
+orchard, its summer house, its garden smiling with roses, and lilies;
+bordered by rows of yellow pines shading the rear, with a spacious green
+lawn away to the front affording an unobstructed view of the city and
+the Delaware shore. It was a residence of pretentious design and at the
+time of its construction was easily the most sumptuous home in the city.</p>
+
+<p>The Shippens had been the leaders of the fashionable set, not alone in
+days gone by, the days of colonial manners when diversions and
+enjoyments were indulged in as far as the austerities of the staid old
+Quaker code would allow; but also during the days of the present
+visitation of the British, when emulation in the entertainment of the
+visitors ran riot among the townsfolk. Small wonder that the present
+lord of the manor felt constrained to write to his father that he should
+be under the necessity of removing from this luxurious abode to
+Lancaster, "for the style of living my fashionable daughters have
+introduced into my family and their dress will I fear before long oblige
+me to change the scene." Yet if the truth were told, the style of living
+inaugurated by the ambitious daughters was no less a heritage than a
+part of the discipline in which they had been reared.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p><p>If the sudden and forced departure of the dashing as well as the
+eligible British Officers from the city had totally upset the cherished
+social aspirations of the mother of the Shippen girls, the advent of the
+gallant and unmarried Military Governor had lifted them to a newer and
+much higher plane of endeavor. The termination of a matrimonial alliance
+with the second in command of the patriotic forces not less than the
+foremost in rank of the city gentry, would more than compensate for the
+loss of a possible British peerage. Theirs was a proud lineage to boast
+of and a mode of unfeigned comfort and display. And it took but the
+briefest possible time for the artful mother to discern that her clever
+and subtle devices were beginning to meet with some degree of success.</p>
+
+<p>The present function was wholly her affair, and while it was announced
+as a purely informal gathering, the manner and the scheme of the
+decorations, the elegance and the care with which the women dressed, the
+order, the appointments, the refreshments, not to mention the
+distinguished French visitors, would permit no one to surmise that, even
+for a moment. Care had been taken to issue invitations to the
+representative members of the city's upper class, more especially to the
+newly arrived French Officers and their wives, as well as the
+commissioned members of the Continental Army. There were the Shippen
+girls, their persistent friend, Miss Chew, as well as Miss Franks, whose
+brother was now attached to the staff of General Arnold, and a dozen
+other young ladies, all attractive, and dressed in the prevailing
+elegance of fashion; the hair in an enormous coiffure, in imitation of
+the fashions of the French, with turbans of gauze and spangles and ropes
+of pearls, the low bodices with the bow in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> front, the wide sashes
+below. It was an altogether brilliant assembly, with the Military
+Governor the most brilliant of all.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, Major," asked Mrs. Shippen in measured and subdued language as
+she leaned forward in an apparently confidential manner, "does General
+Arnold visit often?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes!" replied the Major at once, "he is very generous with his
+company."</p>
+
+<p>Her face fell somewhat.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, isn't that strange? I was told that he made a practice of calling
+at no home outside of ours."</p>
+
+<p>He uncrossed his leg and shifted in his chair rather uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite true." He saw at once that he had made an unhappy remark. "But of
+course he makes no social calls, none whatsoever. You must know that the
+affairs of state require all of his time, for which duty he is obliged
+to visit many people on matters of pure business."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>She appeared satisfied at this explanation.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems as if we had known him all our lives. He feels so perfectly at
+home with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly."</p>
+
+<p>"You have met him often with us, haven't you, Marjorie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I first met him at the Military Ball through Peggy," Marjorie replied
+na&iuml;vely.</p>
+
+<p>"But you must have met him here. He has been here so often," she
+insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I vow our General has felt the smite of your fair daughter's
+charms," remarked Mr. Anderson.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p><p>Marjorie breathed a sigh of relief at the timely interruption.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so?" asked Mrs. Shippen, with no attempt to conceal
+her impatience.</p>
+
+<p>"Unquestionably.</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<div class="i4">'Smiles from reason flow,</div>
+<div>To brute denied, and are of love the food.'</div>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>So sang the bard, and so sing I of His Excellency."</p>
+
+<p>"But his age! He cannot now be thinking of matrimony."</p>
+
+<p>"Age, my dear Mrs. Shippen, is a matter of feeling, not of years. The
+greatest miracle of love is to eradicate all disparity. Before it age,
+rank, lineage, distinction dissolve like the slowly fading light of the
+sun at eventide. The General is bent on conquest; that I'll wager. What
+say you, Major? A five pound note?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not I. 'Old men are twice children,' you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if I do say it," remarked Mrs. Shippen, "my daughter has had a
+splendid education and is as cultured a girl as there is in the city and
+would make a fitting helpmate for any man, no matter what his position
+in life may be."</p>
+
+<p>The orchestra began to fill the room with the strains of the minuet. Mr.
+Anderson arose and advanced towards Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"May I have the pleasure of your company?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie arose and gave him her arm.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>She tripped through the graces of the minuet in a mechanical sort of a
+fashion, her thoughts in a far off<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> land of amazement and gloomy
+desolation. The unexpected and adverse stroke of fortune which had
+descended with hawk-like velocity upon Stephen had thoroughly
+disconcerted her. Try as she would, her imagination could not be brought
+under her control. There was one image that would not out, and that was
+Stephen's.</p>
+
+<p>A short note from him gave the first inkling to her. He had been placed
+under arrest by order of Major-General Arnold on the charge of striking
+his superior officer, in violation of the Fifth Article, Second Section
+of the American Articles of War. The charge had been preferred on the
+evening previous to his arrest and bore the signature of Colonel
+Forrest, with whom, she called to mind, he had participated in the
+affray at the Inn.</p>
+
+<p>Little would come of it. Of that she could rest assured. For if he chose
+to present his side of the case, cause might be found against the
+Colonel in the matter of disrespectful language against the
+Commander-in-chief. On that account the affair would very probably end
+where it had begun and his sword would once more be restored to him.
+Should the Colonel press the case, however, it would result in a
+court-martial, that being the usual tribunal before which such matters
+were tried.</p>
+
+<p>For the present he was under arrest. He was not confined and no limits
+were assigned to him in the order of his arrest, yet he was deprived of
+his sword and therefore without power to exercise any military command
+pending his trial. Since it was considered indecorous in an officer
+under arrest to appear at public places, it would be impossible for him
+to accompany her to the home of the Shippens on Friday evening.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> This
+caused him the greater concern, yet his word of honor obliged him to
+await either the issue of his trial or his enlargement by the proper
+authority.</p>
+
+<p>He bade her be of good cheer and asked a remembrance in her prayers,
+assuring her she would be ever present in his thoughts. Since he was
+allowed the use of his personal liberty, he would soon make use of a
+favorable opportunity to pay her a call. Until then, he could tell her
+no more, save the desire to have her attend the party and to enjoy
+herself to the utmost.</p>
+
+<p>From the moment of her receipt of this letter, she had rehearsed the
+incidents therein narrated over and over again. Go where she would her
+thought followed her as instinctively as the homeward trail of the bee.
+Reflection possessed her and she was lost in the intricate maze of the
+world of fancy.</p>
+
+<p>To follow mere instinct does not beseem a man, yet for woman this
+faculty is the height of reason and will be trusted by her to the very
+end. Marjorie's instinct told her that all would not be well with
+Stephen, notwithstanding his place of honor on the staff of the
+Commander-in-chief, to whom he might readily appeal should the occasion
+require. The charge was of minor consequence, and could under ordinary
+circumstances be dismissed; but it would not be dismissed. He would be
+tried, found guilty, and sentenced. A consummation too horrible for
+thought!</p>
+
+<p>She could not enjoy herself at Peggy's function, that she knew. But she
+must attend, if for no other reason than for appearance. The strange
+regard for this officer, which she had discovered to be growing daily in
+intensity and depth, had been brought to definite realization by the
+sudden crisis in Stephen's fortunes. The sudden revelation of this truth
+from which she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> was wont to recoil with petulant diffidence alarmed her
+not a little. She must not allow herself to be perturbed over this
+incident, and no one, not even her mother, must ever be permitted to
+detect the slightest concern on her part.</p>
+
+<p>"You seem unusually preoccupied this evening, Mistress Allison,"
+remarked Mr. Anderson as he led her to one side of the room at the
+conclusion of the dance.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie started. She could feel herself coloring into a deep scarlet,
+which endured the more as she strove desperately to retain her natural
+composure.</p>
+
+<p>"I? Why? No! Did I appear absent-minded?"</p>
+
+<p>"As if sojourning in some far off land."</p>
+
+<p>She thought for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"We all inhabit dream countries."</p>
+
+<p>"True. We do. And there is no swifter vehicle to that fair land than an
+inattentive companion."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That I am entirely at fault for allowing you to wander there."</p>
+
+<p>"You are unkind to yourself to say that."</p>
+
+<p>"I vow I mean it."</p>
+
+<p>They neared the settee into which he gallantly assisted her. She made
+room for him by drawing back the folds of her gown.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you ever had a miniature made?" he asked of her.</p>
+
+<p>"Never. I scarce gave it a thought," she replied nonchalantly.</p>
+
+<p>"In that gown, you would make a perfect picture."</p>
+
+<p>"Couldst thou paint it?" she asked quickly with the attitude of one who
+has proposed an impossible question.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p><p>"Aye, and willingly, would I," he smartly replied.</p>
+
+<p>"I should love to see it. I should scarce know mine own face."</p>
+
+<p>She regarded the subject with ridicule, observing as she spoke the end
+of the sash with which her fingers had been fumbling.</p>
+
+<p>"You shall see it as it is with no artful flattery to disfigure it. May
+I bring it in person? The post-rider's bag is too unworthy a messenger."</p>
+
+<p>"Lud! I shall be unable to restrain my curiosity and await the carrier."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I shall be the carrier."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing would afford me more pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>Neither of the two spoke for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>She wondered if she were imprudent. While she had not known this man
+before this evening, still she knew of him as the one who took part in
+the disturbance at the Coffee House.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed unusually attentive to her, although not unpleasantly so, and
+innocently enough the question presented itself to her as to the import
+of his motives. He had sought no information nor did he disclose any
+concerning himself, for at no time did their conversation arise to any
+plane above the commonplace. Yet she was willing to see him again and to
+discover, if possible, the true state of his mind.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen, she knew, would approve of her action; not only because of the
+personal satisfaction which might be derived therefrom, but also because
+of the possibilities which such a meeting might unfold. That Anderson
+was prompted by some ulterior motive and that he was not attracted so
+much by her charms as by the desire of seeking some advantage, she was
+keen enough to sense. Just what this quest might lead to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> could not be
+fathomed, yet it presented at all hazards a situation worthy of more
+than a passing notice.</p>
+
+<p>She mistrusted General Arnold, a mere opinion it was true, for she
+possessed no evidence to warrant even a suspicion, yet something about
+the man created within her heart a great want of confidence and
+reliance. He was supremely overbearing and unusually sensitive. This,
+together with his vaulting ambition and love of display,&mdash;traits which
+even the merest novice could not fail to observe,&mdash;might render him
+capable of the most brilliant achievements, such as his exploits before
+the walls of Quebec and on the field of Saratoga, or of unwise and
+wholly irresponsible actions, of some of which, although of minor
+consequence, he had been guilty during the past few months. He disliked
+her form of religious worship, and she strongly suspected this was the
+reason he so openly opposed the alliance with the French. She regarded
+this prejudice as a sad misfortune in a man of authority. His judgments
+were liable to be clouded and unfair.</p>
+
+<p>She knew Peggy like a book and she could easily imagine the influence
+such a girl could exert, as a wife, on a man so constituted. Peggy's
+social ambition and her marked passion for display and domination,
+traits no less apparent in her than in her mother, would lead her to
+view the overtures of her impetuous suitor with favor, notwithstanding
+the fact that he was almost double her own age. As his wife she would
+attain a social prestige. She was a Tory at heart, and he evidenced at
+sundry times the same inclinations. She was a Quaker, while he belonged
+to the religion of His Majesty, the King; nevertheless, both agreed in
+this, that the miserable Papists were an ambitious and crafty lot, who
+were bent on obtaining an early and complete<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> mastery over this country.
+The pair were well mated in many respects, thought Marjorie, the
+disparity in their ages was all that would render the match at all
+irregular, although Peggy's more resolute will and intense ambition
+would make her the dominant member of the alliance. Little as the
+General suspected it, Marjorie thought, he was slowly, though surely,
+being encircled in the web which Peggy and her artful mother were
+industriously spinning about him.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>Marjorie and Anderson sat conversing long and earnestly. Several dances
+were announced and engaged in, with little or no manifest attention on
+their part, so engrossed were they in the matter of more serious import.
+At length they deserted their vantage ground for the more open and
+crowded room, pausing before Peggy and the General, who were sheltered
+near the entrance.</p>
+
+<p>"Heigho, John!" exclaimed His Excellency upon their approach, "what
+strange absconding is this? Have a care, my boy, lest you have to answer
+to Captain Meagher."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie felt the gaze of the group full upon her. She flushed a little.</p>
+
+<p>"Little or no danger, nor cause alleged," she laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher!" recollected Anderson, "does he excel?"</p>
+
+<p>"I scarce know," replied Marjorie. "I have met him not over thrice in my
+life."</p>
+
+<p>"Once is quite sufficient," said the General. "First impressions often
+endure. But stay. Draw your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span> chairs. I was only saying that I may be
+required to leave here shortly."</p>
+
+<p>"You have been transferred?" asked Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"No! But I have written to Washington begging for a command in the navy.
+My wounds are in a fair way and less painful than usual, though there is
+little prospect of my being able to be in the field for a considerable
+time."</p>
+
+<p>They sat down as requested, opposite Peggy and the General.</p>
+
+<p>"But, General, have you not taken us into your consideration?" asked
+Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"I have, yet the criticism is becoming unendurable. Of course you have
+heard that matters have already become strained between the civil
+government and myself. Only last week my head aide-de-camp sent for a
+barber who was attached to a neighboring regiment, using as a messenger
+the orderly whom I had stationed at the door. For this trifling order
+there has been aroused a hornet's nest."</p>
+
+<p>"Wherein lay the fault?" asked Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"In this. It appears from a letter which I have already received from
+the father of the sergeant (Matlack is his name, to be exact) that the
+boy was hurt by the order itself and the manner of it, and as a freeman
+would not submit to such an indignity as to summon a barber for the aide
+of a commanding officer. We have a proud, stubborn people to rule, who
+are no more fitted for self-government than the Irish&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He stopped short.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie bit her lip. "I wish, General, you would withdraw your
+comparison. It is painful to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, Mistress Allison. As a matter of fact I hardly knew what I
+had said. I do withdraw it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span></p><p>"Thank you so much."</p>
+
+<p>Then he went on.</p>
+
+<p>"These Americans are not only ungrateful, but stupidly arrogant. What
+comparison can be drawn between this dullard, Matlack, whose feelings as
+a citizen were hurt by an order of an aide-de-camp, and I, when I was
+obliged to serve a whole campaign under the command of a gentleman who
+was not known as a soldier until I had been some time a brigadier. My
+feelings had to be sacrificed to the interest of my country. Does not
+the fool know that I became a soldier and bear the marks upon me, to
+vindicate the rights of citizens?"</p>
+
+<p>He talked rapidly, yet impassionately. It was plain, however, that he
+was seriously annoyed over the turn of events, on which subject he
+conversed with his whole being. He made gestures with violence. His face
+became livid. His attitude was menacing.</p>
+
+<p>"On my arrival here, my very first act was condemned. It became my duty,
+because of sealed orders from the Commander-in-chief, who enclosed a
+resolution adopted by Congress, to close the shops. From the day,
+censure was directed against me. I was not the instigator of it. Yet I
+was all to blame."</p>
+
+<p>He sat up with his hands on his knees, looking fiercely into the next
+room.</p>
+
+<p>"I would not feel so bitter, your Excellency," volunteered Anderson.
+"Military orders, however necessary, always seem oppressive to civilians
+and shopkeepers."</p>
+
+<p>"I have labored well for the cause, and my reward has been this. I took
+Ticonderoga, although Allen got the credit for it. I would have taken
+Canada, if Congress had not blundered. I saved Lake Champlain<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span> with my
+flotilla,&mdash;a fleet that lived to no better purpose nor died more
+gloriously,&mdash;and for this I got no promotion, nor did I expect one. I
+won at Ridgefield and received a Major-Generalship, only to find myself
+outranked by five others. At Saratoga I was without a command, yet I
+succeeded in defeating an army. For that service I was accused of being
+drunk by the general in command, who, for his service, received a gold
+medal with a vote of thanks from Congress, while I&mdash;well, the people
+gave me their applause; Congress gave me a horse, but what I prize more
+than all,&mdash;these sword knots," he took hold of them as he spoke, "a
+personal offering from the Commander-in-chief. I gave my all. I received
+a few empty honors and the ingratitude of a jealous people."</p>
+
+<p>He paused.</p>
+
+<p>"General," began Marjorie, "you know the people still worship you and
+they do want you for their popular leader."</p>
+
+<p>"I know differently," he snapped back. "I have already petitioned
+Congress for a grant of land in western New York, where I intend to lead
+the kind of life led by my friend Schuyler in Livingston, or the Van
+Renssalaers and other country gentlemen. My ambition now is to be a good
+citizen, for I intend never to draw a sword on the American side."</p>
+
+<p>He again grew silent.</p>
+
+<p>Whether he was sincere in his remarks, and his manner of expression
+seemingly revealed no other disposition of mind, or was swayed simply by
+some unfounded antipathy which caused the image of his aversion to
+become a sort of hallucination, Marjorie could not decide. She knew him
+to be impulsive and irrepressible, a man who, because of his deficiency
+in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span> breadth, scope of intelligence, and strong moral convictions,
+invariably formed his opinions in public matter on his personal
+feelings. He was a man of moods, admirably suited withal for a command
+in the field where bluntness and abruptness of manner could cause him to
+rise to an emergency, but wholly unfitted for this reason for a
+diplomatic office where the utmost delicacy of tact and nicety of
+decision are habitually required.</p>
+
+<p>She knew, moreover, that he ever bore a fierce grudge towards Congress
+for the slights which it had put upon him, and that this intense
+feeling, together with his indomitable self-will, had brought him into
+conflict with the established civil authority. He was Military Governor
+of the city and adjacent countryside, yet there existed an Executive
+Council of Pennsylvania for the care of the state, and the line of
+demarcation between the two powers never had been clearly drawn.
+Accordingly there soon arose many occasions for dispute, which a more
+even-tempered man would have had the foresight to avoid. His point of
+view was narrow, not only in affairs civil and political, but it must be
+said, in social and religious as well. Of all commanders, he was the
+most unsuited for the task.</p>
+
+<p>Furthermore she knew that he was becoming decidedly more unpopular each
+day, not only because of the extravagance in his manner of living, but
+also because of his too frequent association with the Tory element of
+the city. While the British had held the city many of the more
+aristocratic inhabitants had given them active aid and encouragement,
+much to the displeasure of the more loyal though less important lower
+class. Consequently when the days of the evacuation had come and the
+city had settled down once again<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> to its former style of living, many of
+the Tory element were compelled to leave town while those who had
+remained behind were practically proscribed. Small wonder was it that
+indignation ran riot when the first Military Governor openly cast his
+lot with the enemies of the cause and consorted with them freely and
+frequently.</p>
+
+<p>It was entirely possible that he would abide by his decision to resign
+all public office and retire to private life, notwithstanding the fact
+that he already had at this same moment despatched a letter to General
+Washington requesting a command in the navy. But she read him
+differently and found herself surprised to learn of his intended
+withdrawal, for his very nature seemed to indicate that he would fight
+his cause to the bitter end, and that end one of personal satisfaction
+and revenge.</p>
+
+<p>Several of the guests prepared to depart. The little group disbanded as
+Peggy made her way to their side.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie and John Anderson lost each other for the first time in the
+m&ecirc;l&eacute;e which ensued.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>"Perhaps I ought to return," Marjorie muttered to herself, now that she
+was quite alone. "I am sure that he dropped something."</p>
+
+<p>And she began to retrace her steps.</p>
+
+<p>She felt positive that she saw General Arnold accidentally dislodge what
+appeared to be a folded note from his belt when he took hold of the
+sword knots in the course of his conversation. Very likely it was a
+report of some nature, which had been hurriedly thrust into his belt
+during some more preoccupied <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>moment. At any rate it might be safer in
+her hands than to be left to some less interested person. She would
+investigate at any rate and resolve her doubts.</p>
+
+<p>Sure enough, there it was. Just behind the armchair in which he had been
+seated but a few moments before. None of the others had observed it, she
+thought, for she alone was in a position, a little to his left, to
+notice it, when it had become loosed.</p>
+
+<p>She picked it up and regarded it carelessly, nervously, peering the
+while into the great room beyond to discover, if possible, an
+eye-witness to her secret. From its appearance it was no more than a
+friendly communication written on conventional letter paper. It was
+unsealed, or rather the seal had been broken and from the wrinkled
+condition of the paper gave evidence of not a little handling. It
+belonged to Peggy. There was no doubt about that, for there was her name
+in heavy bold script on the outside.</p>
+
+<p>She balanced it in her hand, weighing, at the same time, within her
+mind, one or two possibilities. She might read it and then, if the
+matter required it, return it immediately to His Excellency with an
+explanation. Yet it would smack of dishonor to read the private
+correspondence of another without a sufficiently grave reason. It
+belonged to Peggy, who, in all probability, had been acquainting the
+General with its contents as Mr. Anderson and herself intruded upon the
+scene. She therefore resolved to return it unread.</p>
+
+<p>Hastily folding it, she stuck it into her bodice, and made her way into
+the room where she became lost among the guests. There would be time
+enough when the formalities of the departure were over, when Peggy was
+less occupied, to hand it her. She would wait at any rate until later in
+the evening.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>But she did not return the paper. For with the commotion of the guests
+in the several orders of their going, a serious business of felicitation
+and devoir was demanded alongside of which all other matters only served
+as distractions. Consequently, the note once placed within her bodice,
+all thought of it vanished for the remainder of the evening.</p>
+
+<p>Only when she had returned home that night, fatigued and almost
+disgusted with the perfunctory performances of the evening, did she
+discover it, and then not until she was about to remove the garment
+within whose folds it lay concealed. It fell to the ground; she stooped
+to pick it up.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! I quite forgot it. I must attend to it the first thing in the
+morning."</p>
+
+<p>And she placed it on the dresser where it could not escape her eye. Then
+she retired.</p>
+
+<p>But she did not sleep. There she lay wide awake tossing nervously to and
+fro. She tried to close her eyes only to find them wandering about the
+room in the obscure dimness, focusing themselves now on the old mahogany
+dresser, now on the little prie-Dieu against the inner wall with the
+small ivory crucifix outlined faintly above it, now on the chintz
+hangings that covered the window. She could hear her heart, pounding its
+great weight of bitterness against the pillow;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> and as she listened she
+thought of Stephen's arrest and of its thousand and one horrible
+consequences. She tried to congratulate herself on her sweet serenity
+and the serenity only mocked her and anticipation loomed as fiercely as
+before.</p>
+
+<p>The next she knew was a quiet awakening, as if her mother's hand had
+been put gently on her arm. Outside ten thousand light leaves shivered
+gently and the birds were calling to one another in melodious tones.
+This was her first glimpse of the day and it sent her suddenly to her
+knees.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Stephen came late that afternoon. He had not been expected; yet she was
+happy because he came. She had done little that day; had not left the
+house, nor dressed for the occasion. The note was where she had left it,
+and all reference to it buried with her thoughts of the evening.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot yet tell how it has been decided. They went into executive
+session at once."</p>
+
+<p>"But,... Surely,... They could not find you guilty?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well."</p>
+
+<p>"Please.... Won't you tell me?"</p>
+
+<p>"There is little to tell. It was very brief."</p>
+
+<p>He could not become enthusiastic.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you were put to trial?" she asked with an apprehension uncertain
+in quality.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Go on. Tell me."</p>
+
+<p>He was silent. He desired to withhold nothing from her, yet he could not
+find the words he wanted.</p>
+
+<p>"What happened?" She was persistent.</p>
+
+<p>"Well.... I don't know.... I soured on the whole<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> proceeding. The
+court-martial met, the Regimental Court Martial, with three members.
+This was permissible. They began, reading the charge as preferred by
+Colonel Forrest, which was to the effect that I had been guilty of
+striking my superior officer, Colonel Forrest, by attempting to choke
+him. To this was added the accusation of abusive, threatening language
+as well as a threat of murder. I, of course, pleaded not guilty; nor did
+I prepare any defense. The affair was so trivial that I was surprised
+that it ever had been brought to trial."</p>
+
+<p>"How long did the proceedings last?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were very brief. Several witnesses were examined, the chief one
+being Mr. Anderson."</p>
+
+<p>"I know him," remarked Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"You know him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I met him last evening at Shippens'."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he say aught about me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a word."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he appeared against me. After a few more preliminary questions I
+was put on the stand in my own defense. I told briefly the circumstances
+which led to the incident (I would not call it an assault, for I
+continually maintained it to be of a trivial nature and worthy only of
+an explanation). I told how the Colonel had used certain derogatory
+remarks against the faith that I believed and practiced, which
+occasioned a violent argument. This, I think, was the great mistake I
+made, for it appeared to make an unfavorable impression upon the Court.
+In this respect they were unquestionably on the side of Forrest. Then I
+related the remark incident to my action, and announced that I would
+repeat the deed under similar circumstances were the same disrespectful
+language<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> directed against the Commander-in-chief. This, I fear, made
+little impression either since I was already attached to the staff of
+General Washington. And a jealous rival general was about to decide my
+guilt. That ended it. I was excused and the Court adjourned."</p>
+
+<p>He paused.</p>
+
+<p>"For these reasons I have serious misgivings as to my fate."</p>
+
+<p>"What can happen to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. It may result in a suspension, and it may result in a
+verdict of 'not guilty.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Will you know very soon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be summoned before them."</p>
+
+<p>Neither spoke for a time.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know," observed Marjorie, "I greatly mistrust General Arnold and
+I fear that he already has decided against you."</p>
+
+<p>"What causes you to say that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well ... I don't know ... I just think it. While listening to him last
+evening I drew that impression."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he say anything against us?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is enraged at Congress and he has long felt persecuted and insulted
+by the people. He desires a command in the navy and has already written
+Washington to that effect; and again he would petition Congress for a
+grant of land in New York where he would retire to private life, for he
+vows he never will again draw sword on the American side."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he say this?" asked Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>"He did."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think that he was sincere?"</p>
+
+<p>"I really do. He talked with all the earnestness of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> a man of
+conviction. Somehow or other I greatly mistrust him. And he is extremely
+bigoted."</p>
+
+<p>"I rather suspect this, although I have had no proofs of it. If he is,
+it will out very soon."</p>
+
+<p>"And you may be assured, too, that he will have an able adjutant in
+Peggy. She is his counterpart in every particular."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her as she spoke, and was amazed by the excitement in her
+face. She talked excitedly; her eyes, those large vivacious brown eyes
+that looked out of her pretty oval face, were alight, and her face had
+gone pale.</p>
+
+<p>"I was interested in them last evening and with the apparent zeal
+displayed by Peggy's mother in favor of the match. I would not be
+surprised to hear of an announcement from that source at any time."</p>
+
+<p>"Has it reached that stage?"</p>
+
+<p>"Most assuredly! I decided that they already are on terms of intimacy
+where secrets now obtain a common value."</p>
+
+<p>"You think that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well.... I do.... Yes. I know, for instance that he had a letter in his
+possession which was addressed to her, which letter had its origin in
+New York."</p>
+
+<p>"How came he by it?"</p>
+
+<p>"She must have given it to him. I have it now."</p>
+
+<p>"You have it?"</p>
+
+<p>He sat up very much surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did you get it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I found it."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you read it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p><p>She smiled at him, and at his great perplexity over the apparent
+mystery.</p>
+
+<p>And then she told him of the little party; of herself and Mr. Anderson,
+and their intrusion upon General Arnold and Peggy; of their conversation
+and the falling of the note; of her subsequent return for it together
+with the placing of it within her bodice and the state of temporary
+oblivion into which the incident finally had lapsed.</p>
+
+<p>"You have that letter now?" he asked with no attempt to conceal his
+anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Upstairs."</p>
+
+<p>"May I see it? Really I would not ask this did I not think it quite
+important."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well."</p>
+
+<p>She left to fetch it.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this man, Anderson?" Stephen asked upon her return. "Do you know
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. But he is very engaging. He was my partner during the evening."</p>
+
+<p>She did not deem it wise to tell him everything, at least not at this
+time.</p>
+
+<p>"How long have you known him?" he inquired impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled sweetly at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Since last night," was the brief response.</p>
+
+<p>"Where did he come from?"</p>
+
+<p>"I scarce know. You yourself mentioned his name for the first time to
+me. I was greatly surprised when presented to him last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he come with General Arnold's party, or is he a friend of Peggy's?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think Peggy knew him before, although<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> she may have met him
+with some of the officers before last evening. I should imagine from
+what you already know that he is acquainted with the Governor's party
+and through them received an invitation to be present.</p>
+
+<p>"Did he say aught of himself?"</p>
+
+<p>"Scarcely a thing. He has not been a resident of the city for any length
+of time, but where he originated, or what he purposes, I did not learn.
+I rather like him. He is well-mannered, refined and richly talented."</p>
+
+<p>"I sensed immediately that he was endowed with engaging personal
+qualities, and gifted with more than ordinary abilities," Stephen
+commented. "I have yet to learn his history, which is one of my duties,
+notwithstanding the unfortunate state of affairs which has lately come
+to pass."</p>
+
+<p>He stopped and took the letter which she held out to him. He opened it
+and read it carefully. Then he deliberately read it again.</p>
+
+<p>"You say no one knows of this?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite sure. Certainly no one saw me find it, although I am not
+certain that I alone saw it fall."</p>
+
+<p>"You are sure that it was in the Governor's possession?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite. I saw it distinctly in his belt. I saw it fall to the ground
+when he caught hold of the sword knots."</p>
+
+<p>He leaned forward and reflected for a moment with his eyes intent on the
+note which he held opened before him. Suddenly he sat back in his chair
+and looked straight at her.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie," he said, "you promised to be of whatever assistance you
+could. Do you recall that promise?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span></p><p>"Very well."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you lend your assistance to me now?"</p>
+
+<p>She hesitated, wondering to what extent the demand might be made.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you unwilling?" he asked, for he perceived her timid misgiving.</p>
+
+<p>"No. What is it you want me to do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Simply this. Let me have this note."</p>
+
+<p>She deliberated.</p>
+
+<p>"Would not that be unfair to Peggy?"</p>
+
+<p>She feared that her sense of justice was being violated.</p>
+
+<p>"She does not know that you have it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I mean to tell her."</p>
+
+<p>"Please!... Well!... Well!... Need you do that immediately? Could you
+not let me have it for a few days? I shall return it to you. You can
+then take it to her."</p>
+
+<p>"You will let no one see it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Absolutely!"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. And you will return it to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I promise."</p>
+
+<p>And so it was agreed that Stephen should take the letter with him, which
+he promised to return together with the earliest news of the result of
+his court-martial.</p>
+
+<p>He stood up.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>Stephen came out the little white gate closing it very deliberately
+behind him and immediately set off at a brisk pace down the street.
+Every fiber within him thrilled with energy. The road was dusty and hot,
+and his pace grew very strenuous and fervent. There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> was no breeze;
+there was no sound of wheels; all was quiet as the bells tolled out the
+hour of six. Nevertheless he trudged along with great haste without once
+stopping until he had reached the door of his lodgings.</p>
+
+<p>He turned the key and entered, closing the door behind him and taking
+the greatest of care to see that it was properly bolted. Flinging his
+hat into a chair as he passed, he went immediately to the table which
+served as his desk. While he pulled himself close to it, he reached into
+his pocket for the letter. He opened it before him and read it. Then he
+sat back and read it again; this time aloud:</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Co. 13</p>
+
+<p class="right">Headquarters, New York.<br />15 July, 1778.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Madame:&mdash;I am happy to have this opportunity to once again express my
+humble respects to you and to assure you that yourself together with
+your generous and hospitable friends are causing us much concern
+separated as we are by the duress of a merciless war. We lead a
+monotonous life, for outside of the regularities of army life, there is
+little to entertain us. Our hearts are torn with pangs of regret as we
+recall the golden days of the Mischienza.</p>
+
+<p>I would I could be of some service to you here, that you may understand
+that my protestations of zeal made on former occasions were not without
+some degree of sincerity. Let me add, too, that your many friends here
+present unite with me in these same sentiments of unaffected and genuine
+devotion.</p>
+
+<p>I beg you to present my best respects to your sisters, to the Misses
+Chew, and to Mrs. Shippen and Mrs. Chew.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span></p><p>I have the honor to be with the greatest regard, Madame, your most
+obedient and most humble servant.</p>
+
+<p class="right"><span class="smcap">W. Cathcart.</span></p>
+
+<p>Miss Peggy Shippen,<br />Philadelphia.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>His face was working oddly, as if with mingled perplexity and pleasure;
+and he caught his lip in his teeth, as his manner was. What was this
+innocent note? Could it be so simple as it appeared? Vague possibilities
+passed through his mind.</p>
+
+<p>The longer he gazed at it the more simple it became, so that he was on
+the point of folding it and replacing it in his pocket, sadly
+disconcerted at its insignificance. He had hoped that he might have
+stumbled across something of real value, not only some secret
+information concerning the designs of the enemy, but also some evidence
+of an incriminating nature against his own acquaintances in the city.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he thought he saw certain letters dotted over, not entirely
+perceptible, yet quite discernible. He turned the paper over. The
+reverse was perfectly clear. He held it to the light but nothing
+appeared through.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove!" he exclaimed softly.</p>
+
+<p>He looked closely again. Sure enough there were faint markings on
+several of the letters. The "H" was marked. So with the "V" in "have,"
+and the "A" and the "L." Snatching a pencil and a sheet of paper he made
+a list of the letters so marked.</p>
+
+<p class="center">HVANLADERIIGAERODIRCUTN</p>
+
+<p>This meant nothing. That was apparent; nor could he make sense out of
+any combination of letters. He knew that there were certain codes
+whereby the two<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> progressions, arithmetical and geometric were employed
+in their composition, but this seemingly answered to none of them. He
+went over the list again, comparing them with the marked letters as
+found in the note. Yes, they were identical. He had copied them
+faithfully.</p>
+
+<p>He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.</p>
+
+<p>"So this was sent to Peggy from New York," he muttered to himself. "I
+strongly suspected that she was in communication with her British
+friends, although I never came in contact with the slightest evidence.
+This certainly proves it."</p>
+
+<p>He held the letter at a distance from him, attentively surveying it.</p>
+
+<p>"And General Arnold has been interested, too. Very likely, Marjorie's
+hypothesis is the true one. They had been reading the note when the
+newcomers arrived on the scene and the General stuck it in his belt
+until their greetings had been ended. Neither of them now know of its
+whereabouts; that much is certain."</p>
+
+<p>He stood up suddenly and strode about the room, his hands clasped behind
+him. Going to the window, he peered out through the small panes of glass
+of the uncurtained upper half. There burned the light across the dusk&mdash;a
+patch of jeweled color in the far off western sky. Yet it awakened no
+emotion at all.</p>
+
+<p>His mind was engaged in the most intricate process of thought. He
+deduced a hundred conclusions and rejected them with equal promptitude.
+He greatly admired General Arnold as the bravest leader in the line,
+whose courage, whose heroism, whose fearlessness had brought him signal
+successes. There was no more popular soldier in the army, nor one more
+capable of more effective service. To have his career clogged or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> goaded
+by a woman, who when she either loves or hates will dare anything, would
+be a dreadful calamity. Yet it seemed as if he had surrendered his
+better self.</p>
+
+<p>This man Anderson puzzled him. Personally he was disposed to dislike
+him, that being the logical effect of his relations with him. At the
+Coffee House, where he had met him, and where he had suffered his better
+judgment to become dormant, it was this man who had brought him to the
+pitch of irritation by means of a religious argument, while at the trial
+it was the same Anderson who appeared as an excellent witness and who by
+his clever, deliberate and self-possessed manner, made a strong point
+for the Colonel in the minds of the court.</p>
+
+<p>What was his origin? That he might never know, for of all subjects, this
+was the most artfully avoided. In the capacity of a civilian he was
+engaged in no fixed occupation so far as could be learned, and it was
+commonly known that he was a frequent visitor at the Governor's mansion.
+That he did not belong to the service, he knew very well, unless the man
+was affecting a disguise; this, however, he thought highly improbable.
+The French Alliance had been further confirmed by the arrival of the
+fleet, which brought many strangers to the city. Now as he thought of
+it, he had a certain manner about him somewhat characteristic of the
+French people, and it was entirely possible that he might have
+disembarked with the French visitors. He was a mystery anyhow.</p>
+
+<p>"Strange I should stumble across this chap," he mumbled to himself.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>He awoke with a start.</p>
+
+<p>Just what the hour was, he could not know, for it was intensely dark. He
+reckoned that it could not be long after midnight, for it seemed as if
+he had scarcely fallen asleep. But there was a wonderful burst of light
+to his mind, a complete clarity of thought into which often those do
+awake who have fallen asleep in a state of great mental conflict. He
+opened his eyes and, as it were, beheld all that he was about to do;
+there was also a very vivid memory of his experience of the evening.</p>
+
+<p>He arose hurriedly and struck a light. He seized the letter in search of
+the momentous something that had dawned upon him with wonderful
+intensity.</p>
+
+<p>"Company Thirteen," he remarked with deliberate emphasis. "That must be
+the key."</p>
+
+<p>And seizing a paper he wrote the order of letters which he had copied
+from the note a few hours before.</p>
+
+<p class="center">HVANLADERIIG</p>
+
+<p>He stopped at the thirteenth, and began a second line immediately under
+the line he had just written.</p>
+
+<p class="center">AERODIRCUTN</p>
+
+<p>It inserted perfectly when read up and down beginning with the letter
+"H". He completed the sentence.</p>
+
+<p class="center">HAVE ARNOLD AID RECRUITING</p>
+
+<p>He could not believe his eyes. What did it all mean? What regiment was
+this? Why should this be sent from a British officer to Peggy Shippen?
+There were mixed considerations here.</p>
+
+<p>There was a satisfaction, a very great satisfaction,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> in the knowledge
+that he was not entirely mistaken in his suspicions concerning Peggy.
+She was in communication with the British and perhaps had been for some
+time. This fact in itself was perfectly plain. The proof of it lay in
+his hand. Whether or not His Excellency was involved in the nefarious
+work was another question quite. The mere fact of the note being in his
+possession signified nothing, or if anything, no more than a
+coincidence. He might have read the note and, at the same time, have
+been entirely ignorant of the cipher, or he might have received this
+hidden information from the lips of Peggy herself, who undoubtedly had
+deciphered it at once.</p>
+
+<p>Yet what was the meaning of it all? There was no new call for
+volunteers, although, Heaven knows, there was an urgent need for them,
+the more especially after the severe winter at Valley Forge. Recruits
+had become exceedingly scarce, many of whom were already deserting to
+the British army at the rate of over a hundred a month while those who
+remained were without food or clothing. And when they were paid, they
+could buy, only with the greatest difficulty, a single bushel of wheat
+from the fruits of their four month's labor. And did it prove to be true
+that a new army was about to be recruited, why should the enemy manifest
+so much interest? The new set of difficulties into which he was now
+involved were more intricate than ever before.</p>
+
+<p>He extinguished the light and went to bed.</p>
+
+<p>The next day a number of copies of the New York <i>Gazette</i> and <i>Weekly
+Mercury</i> of the issue of July 13, 1778, found their way into the city.
+They were found to contain the following advertisement:</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p>
+
+<blockquote><p class="center">For the encouragement of all<br />Gentlemen Volunteers,<br />
+Who are willing to serve in his Majesty's Regt. of<br />Roman Catholic Volunteers,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Commanded by</p>
+
+<p class="center">Lieut.&mdash;Col. Commandant,</p>
+
+<p class="center">ALFRED CLIFTON</p>
+
+<p class="center">During the present wanton and unnatural Rebellion,<br />AND NO LONGER,<br />
+The sum of FOUR POUNDS,<br />will be given above the usual Bounty,<br />
+A suit of NEW CLOTHES,<br />And every other necessary to complete a Gentleman soldier.</p>
+
+<p>Those who are willing to show their attachment to their King and
+country by engaging in the above regiment, will call at Captain
+M'Kennon, at No. 51, in Cherry-street, near the Ship Yards, NEW
+YORK, or at Major John Lynch, encamped at Yellow-Hook, where
+they will receive present pay and good quarters.</p>
+
+<p>N. B.&mdash;Any person bringing a well-bodied loyal subject to either
+of the above places, shall receive ONE GUINEA for his trouble.</p>
+
+<p class="center">God Save the King.</p></blockquote>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>It was not until the following Wednesday night that John Anderson was
+ready to pay his respects to Mistress Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>He had worked on the miniature since Saturday, and had regarded his
+finished product with eminent satisfaction. He had drawn her as she
+appeared to him on the night of the reception in the pose which he had
+best remembered her during the interval when she sat out the dance with
+him; her head turned partly towards him, revealing her small oval face
+surmounted by a wealth of brown hair, powdered to a gray; her small nose
+with just a suggestion of a dilatation lending to the face an expression
+of strength that the rest of the countenance only gave color to; the
+mouth, firmly set, its lines curving upward, as it should be, to
+harmonize with her disposition; the eyes, a soft brown, full of candor
+and sincerity, delicately shadowed by slender and arched eyebrows on a
+smooth forehead.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie could not conceal her enthusiasm as he handed it to her. Unable
+to restrain her curiosity, she arose hurriedly and went to the window to
+benefit by the less obscure light.</p>
+
+<p>"Is&mdash;am I as pretty as that?" she exclaimed from her vantage point,
+without lifting her eyes from the portrait.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p><p>"Only more so," responded Anderson. "My memory poorly served me."</p>
+
+<p>"Lud!" she remarked, holding it at arms length from her, "'Tis vastly
+flattering. I scarce recognize myself."</p>
+
+<p>She returned to her chair.</p>
+
+<p>"I swear on my honor, that it fails to do you full justice."</p>
+
+<p>She continued to study it, paying but little heed to his remark. It was
+a water-colored portrait done on ivory of the most delicate workmanship
+and design, set in a fine gold case, delicately engraved, the whole
+presenting an appearance of beauty, richly colored. She turned it over
+and saw the letters J.A.M.A. interlaced over the triplet:</p>
+
+<div class="poem"><div class="stanza">
+<div>"Hours fly; flowers die;</div>
+<div>New days, new ways,</div>
+<div>Pass by. Love stays."</div>
+</div></div>
+
+<p>"It is very pretty," was her only comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Hast no one told thee how well thou might appear in a ball gown?"</p>
+
+<p>"I ne'er gave thought to such."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor what an impression thou wouldst make at court?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hast thou seen court beauties?"</p>
+
+<p>She resolved to learn more about him.</p>
+
+<p>"Aye! Oft have I been in their company."</p>
+
+<p>"At St. James?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. Much as I would have been pleased to. I know only Versailles."</p>
+
+<p>So she thought he must be a French nobleman, who like Lafayette had
+incurred the royal displeasure by running away from court to fit out a
+vessel at his own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> expense in the hope of furthering the cause of the
+Colonists. The great impulse given to the hopes of the disheartened
+population by the chivalrous exploit of the latter, the sensation
+produced both by his departure from Europe and by his appearance in this
+country, might behold a glorious repetition in the person of this
+unknown visitor.</p>
+
+<p>Her interest accordingly grew apace.</p>
+
+<p>"It was magnanimous of His Majesty to take our cause to his heart. We
+can never fail in our gratitude."</p>
+
+<p>"It is only natural for man to resist oppression. It has been written
+that it is only the meek who should possess the land."</p>
+
+<p>"An ideal which is often badly shattered by the selfish ambitions and
+perverse passions of godless men."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a Catholic?" he asked suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am proud of it."</p>
+
+<p>"And your fellow patriots are of the same form of worship?"</p>
+
+<p>"A goodly proportion of them."</p>
+
+<p>"How many might you assume?"</p>
+
+<p>"I scarce know. We have no method of compiling our numbers, not even our
+total population."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely there must be a great percentage, if one considers the influx
+from France and England, not to mention Ireland, whence many fled from
+persecution."</p>
+
+<p>"I once heard Father Farmer say that there must be over seven thousand
+Catholics in Pennsylvania, while Maryland has about fifteen thousand.
+Whatever there remain are much scattered, except of course New York with
+its thousand."</p>
+
+<p>"I never dreamt they were so numerous! So great<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> is the spirit of
+intolerance, that the wonder is that a single Catholic would remain in
+the Colonies."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. Formerly Maryland and Pennsylvania were the two only
+colonies where Catholics were allowed to reside, and even there were
+excluded from any civil or military office. And the time has not yet
+arrived for complete religious freedom, though the arrival of the French
+fleet with its Catholic army and Catholic chaplains will make a
+favorable impression upon our less enlightened oppressors."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems strange that you should throw in your lot with a people who
+prove so intolerant."</p>
+
+<p>"Father Farmer, our pastor, says that no influence must ever be used
+except for the national cause, for we must be quickened by the hope of
+better days. He pleads with his people to remain faithful and promises
+the undivided sympathy of his fellow priests with their kinsmen in the
+struggle. For these reasons I hardly think that many Catholics will
+desert our cause."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you must know that it was England that bestowed the most liberal
+grants to the inhabitants of the Northwest territory."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean the Quebec Act?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And you know that Canada would be allied with you, heart and soul,
+were it not for the intolerant spirit of your fellow colonists."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it would."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, would it not be better&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to suggest to me that we turn traitor?" she interrupted,
+turning full upon him, her eyes flashing with intense feeling.</p>
+
+<p>"No ... pardon ... I meant no offense.... The fact is I was only
+remarking on the sad plight of our co-religionists."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p><p>"I fail to perceive how ill we fare. Our compatriots render us honor,
+and as Father Farmer says, 'we may cherish the hope of better days,
+which are inevitable.' You must know that one of the signers of the
+Declaration of Independence is a Catholic; and that the army and navy
+boast of a considerable quota."</p>
+
+<p>"We are not ungenerous of our service, it seems."</p>
+
+<p>"Rather are we proud of our efforts. We are proud of the fact that there
+has been found among us not one false to his country. We point with
+pride to him who was privileged to first read the Declaration of
+Independence to the public. We are proud of the composition of
+Washington's 'Life Guard'; and we are proud of our mutual friend, whom,
+perhaps, you know," and she glanced at him with a merry twinkle,
+"Captain Meagher, Washington's aide-de-camp."</p>
+
+<p>And so they talked. Marjorie became completely absorbed in her subject,
+once her religion became the topic, and she almost forgot her game in
+regard to her visitor. She desired to appear to the best advantage,
+however, for which purpose she talked freely, in the hope of extracting
+from him some information concerning himself and his intents. Still,
+however, there was another extreme which, though apparently less
+dangerous, she must be careful to avoid. The imaginations of men are in
+a great measure under the control of their feelings and it was
+absolutely necessary for her to refrain from imparting too much
+information lest it might deflect from its purpose the very object she
+was seeking to obtain.</p>
+
+<p>There was a subtle influence about him, an adroitness of speech, a
+precision of movement which, unless sufficiently safeguarded against,
+was insidious. He had the most wonderful way of getting one's
+confidence, not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> only by reason of his genial and affable disposition,
+but also by his apparent and deliberate sincerity. And while it was true
+that she had determined upon a method which was originally intended to
+redound to her own advantage, she soon learned that she was playing with
+a boomerang which soon put her upon the defensive against the very
+strategy which she had herself directly planned.</p>
+
+<p>He was not sincere in his protestations of admiration; that she
+perceived immediately. But she was resolved to let him think that she
+believed him in order that she might discover his true intents and
+purposes. Her knowledge of human nature was sufficient to enable her to
+conclude that one cannot unite the incompatible elements of truth and
+deception, the discernment of reality and the enjoyment of fiction for
+any great length of time. The reality is bound to appear.</p>
+
+<p>For this reason she was not disposed to dismiss him at once but rather
+to allow him to call and see her frequently, if need be, until she had
+been thoroughly satisfied as to his true character. Nevertheless she
+sensed, at this very moment, that she was playing with a skillful
+adversary, one thoroughly versed in the game of diplomacy, against whom
+she would be called upon to employ every manner of weapon at her
+command. She realized the weight of the foe, and thought she understood
+his tactics. So she accepted the challenge.</p>
+
+<p>"You are interested in Captain Meagher?" he asked serenely.</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause. Marjorie looked slightly perturbed.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," she confessed, "there is this much about him. I chanced to know
+the details of the offense with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span> which he has been charged and I am
+naturally interested to learn the result of his trial."</p>
+
+<p>"He may be found guilty," he quietly announced.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that?"</p>
+
+<p>"The evidence was wholly against him."</p>
+
+<p>"And there was no testimony to the effect that Colonel Forrest was
+somewhat intoxicated, or that he spoke disparaging words against the
+Captain's co-religionists, or that he attacked the character of the
+Commander-in-chief?"</p>
+
+<p>"There was to some extent, but it did not seem to make any impression."</p>
+
+<p>"I presume that you know the reason."</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes gleamed a little.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"The verdict has not been given. I shall be pleased to inform you of it
+at the earliest opportunity."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I shall be delighted. But let's not talk about it any more,"
+she added. "Let's leave it."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Anderson smiled.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>It was perhaps an hour after dawn that Stephen awoke for about the third
+or fourth time that night; for the conflict still surged within him and
+would give him no peace. And, as he lay there, awake in an instant,
+staring into the brightness of the morn, once more weighing the
+mysterious disclosures of the evening, swayed by the desire for action
+at one moment, overcome with sadness at the next, the thought of the
+impending verdict of his trial occurred at him and made him rise very
+hurriedly.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p><p>He was an early arrival at Headquarters. There had been several matters
+disposed of during the preceding day and the verdicts would be announced
+together. The room where the court was being held was already stirring
+with commotion; his judge-advocate was there, as was Colonel Forrest,
+Mr. Anderson, several members of the General's staff, and Mr. Allison,
+who had sought entry to learn the decision. Suddenly a dull solemn
+silence settled over all as the members of the court filed slowly into
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>They took their places with their usual dignity, and began to dispose of
+the several cases in their turn. When that of Captain Meagher was
+reached Stephen was ordered to appear before the court to hear his
+sentence.</p>
+
+<p>He took his place before them with perfect calmness. He observed that
+not one of them ventured to meet his eye as he awaited their utterance.</p>
+
+<p>They found that he was not justified in making the attack upon a
+superior officer, notwithstanding the alleged cause for provocation, and
+that he was imprudent in his action, yet because of his good character,
+as testified to by his superior officers, because of the mitigating
+circumstances which had been brought to light by the testimony of the
+witnesses during the course of the trial and because the act had been
+committed without malice or criminal intent, he was found not guilty of
+any violation of the Articles of War, but imprudent in his action, for
+which cause he had been sentenced to receive a reprimand from the
+Military Governor.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen spoke not a word to any one as he made his way back to his seat.
+Why could they not have given him a clear verdict? Either he was guilty
+or he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> not guilty. He could not be misled by the sugary phrases in
+which the vote of censure had been couched. The court had been against
+him from the start.</p>
+
+<p>At any rate, he thought, the reprimand would be only a matter of form.
+Its execution lay wholly with him who was to administer it. The court
+could not, by law, indicate its severity, nor its lenity, nor indeed add
+anything in regard to its execution, save to direct that it should be
+administered by the commander who convened the court. And while it was
+undoubtedly the general intention of the court-martial to impose a mild
+punishment, yet the quality of the reprimand was left entirely to the
+discretion of the authority commissioned to utter it.</p>
+
+<p>When Stephen appeared before the Military Governor at the termination of
+the business of the day, he was seized with a great fury, one of those
+angers which, for a while, poison the air without obscuring the mind.
+There was an unkind look on the face of the Governor, which he did not
+like and which indicated to him that all would not be pleasant. He bowed
+his head in answer to his name.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher," the Governor began. "You have been found guilty by
+the Regimental Court-Martial of an action which was highly imprudent.
+You have been led perhaps by an infatuate zeal in behalf of those, whom
+you term your co-religionists, to the committal of an offense upon the
+person of your superior officer. It is because of this fact that I find
+it my sad duty to reprimand you severely for your misguided ardor and to
+admonish you, together with the other members of your sect, of whom an
+unfair representation is already found in the halls of our Congress and
+in the ranks of our forces, lest similar outbreaks occur<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span> again. Did you
+but know that this eye only lately saw the members of that same Congress
+at Mass for the soul of a Roman Catholic in purgatory, and participating
+in the rites of a Church against whose anti-Christian corruptions your
+pious ancestors would have witnessed with their blood? The army must not
+witness similar outbreaks of religious zeal in the future."</p>
+
+<p>He finished. Stephen left the room without a word, turned on his heel
+and made his way down the street.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>Nature is a great restorer when she pours into the gaping wounds of the
+jaded system the oil and wine of repose. Divine grace administers the
+same narcotic to the soul crushed by torture and anguish. It is then
+that tears are dried, and that afflictions and crosses become sweet.</p>
+
+<p>Desolation, a very lonely desolation, and a deep sense of helplessness
+filled the soul of Stephen as he retraced his steps from the court room.
+His life seemed a great burden to him, his hopes swallowed up in his
+bereavement. If he could but remove his mind from his travail of
+disappointments and bitterness, if his soul could only soar aloft in
+prayer to the realms of bliss and repose, he might endure this bitter
+humiliation. He felt the great need of prayer, humble, submissive
+prayer. Oh! If he could only pray!</p>
+
+<p>He was invisibly directed into the little doorway of St. Joseph's. His
+feeling was like that of the storm tossed mariner as he securely steers
+for the beacon light. The church was nearly empty, save for a bare
+half-dozen people who occupied seats at various <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>intervals. They were
+alone in their contemplation, as Catholics are wont to be, before their
+God, without beads or prayer-book, intent only upon the Divine Person
+concealed within the tabernacle walls, and announced by the flickering
+red flame in the little lamp before the altar. Here he felt himself
+removed from the world and its affairs, as if enclosed in a strange
+parenthesis, set off from all other considerations. And straightway, his
+soul was carried off into a calm, pure, lofty region of consolation and
+repose.</p>
+
+<p>To the human soul, prayer is like the beams of light which seem to
+connect sun and earth. It raises the soul aloft and transports it to
+another and a better world. There basking in the light of the divine
+presence it is strengthened to meet the impending conflict. Nothing
+escapes the all-seeing eye of God. He only waits for the prayer of his
+children eager to grant their requests. Nothing is denied to faith and
+love. Neither can measure be set to the divine bounty.</p>
+
+<p>"Miserere mei, Deus; secundum magnam misericordiam tuam."&mdash;"Have mercy
+on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen buried his face in his hands, in an agony of conflict.</p>
+
+<p>The tone of the Military Governor's reprimand had left no room for
+speculation as to his true intents and purposes. Whatever rebuke had
+been administered to him was intended for the Catholic population,
+otherwise there was no earthly reason for holding up to reprobation the
+conduct of the body governing the republic. The mere fact that the
+Governor despised the Congress was an unworthy as well as an
+insufficient motive for the base attack.</p>
+
+<p>The humiliated soldier felt incapable of bearing the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> insult without
+murmuring, yet he chose to accept it with perfect resignation and
+submission. For a time he had fought against it. But in the church he
+felt seized by an invisible force. On a sudden this invisible tension
+seemed to dissolve like a gray mist, hovering over a lake, and began to
+give place to a solemn and tender sweetness.</p>
+
+<p>"Miserere mei Deus."</p>
+
+<p>He sought refuge in the arms of God, crying aloud to Him for His mercy.
+He would give his soul up to prayer and commit his troubled spirit into
+the hands of his intercessors before the throne of Heaven.</p>
+
+<p>"Accept my punishments for the soul who is about to be released."</p>
+
+<p>To the souls in Purgatory, then, he poured forth the bitterness of his
+heart, offering in their behalf through the intercession of the Virgin
+Mary, the cross which had been imposed upon him. The injustice of his
+trial which he knew, or thought he knew, had been tempered by the spirit
+of intolerance, was brought home to him now in full vigor by the
+severity of his reprimand. He did not deserve it, no&mdash;he could not force
+himself to believe that he did. Still he accepted it generously though
+painfully, in behalf of the sufferings of his friends.</p>
+
+<p>He besought them to pray for him, that he might the more worthily endure
+his cross. He prayed for his tormentors that they might be not held
+culpable for their error. He entrusted himself entirely into the hands
+of his departed ones and renewed with a greater fervor his act of
+consecration.</p>
+
+<p>"I beseech Thee, O my God, to accept and confirm this offering for Thy
+honor and the salvation of my soul. Amen."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p><p>He arose from his pew, made a genuflection before the Blessed
+Sacrament, pronouncing as he did, "My Lord and My God," crossed himself
+with the holy water, and left the church.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>In the meantime an event of rare importance had occurred in the garden
+of the Shippen home. There, in the recesses of the tulips sheltered
+behind the clustering hydrangeas, Peggy accepted the fervent suit of the
+Military Governor and gave him her promise to become his bride. A few
+days later the world was informed of the betrothal and nodded its head
+in astonishment, and opening its lips, sought relief in many words.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>The wheels of destiny began to turn.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2><a name="PART_TWO" id="PART_TWO"></a>PART TWO</h2>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AI" id="CHAPTER_AI"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>It was a hot October day.</p>
+
+<p>A torrid wave generated somewhere in the far west, and aided by the
+prevailing trade winds had swept relentlessly across the country,
+reaching the city at a most unusual time. It had not come unheralded,
+however, for the sun of yesterday had gone down a blazing red,
+illuminating the sky like rays from a mighty furnace, and tinging the
+evening landscape with the reddish and purplish hues of an Indian
+summer. And what a blanket of humidity accompanied it! Like a cloak it
+settled down upon the land, making breathing laborious and driving every
+living creature out of doors.</p>
+
+<p>Jim Cadwalader and his wife sat on the lawn, if the patch of brown grass
+to the side of their little house could be termed a lawn, and awaited
+the close of the day. Three huge elms, motionless in the still sunshine
+and, like all motionless things, adding to the stillness, afforded a
+canopy against the burning rays of the sun. What mattered it that the
+cool shaded air was infested with mosquitoes and house-flies or that the
+coarse grass was uneven and unkempt, from the low mounds which ran all
+over it or, from the profusion of leaves which had here and there
+fluttered down from the great trees. For it must be confessed that
+neither Jim nor his wife had found the time for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span> proper care of the
+premises, or if perchance, they had found the time the inclination
+itself had been wanting.</p>
+
+<p>"Sumthins got t' turn up in sum way 'r other b'fore long. I ain't seen
+the sight o' work here in nigh two year."</p>
+
+<p>"Guess you won't see it fur a while," responded the wife, from her
+straight-backed chair, her arms folded, her body erect.</p>
+
+<p>"Like as not a man 'd starve t' death in these here times, with nuthin'
+t' do."</p>
+
+<p>Jim sat with his elbows resting upon his yellow buckskin breeches, his
+rough stubby fingers interlocked, his small fiery eyes piercing the
+distance beyond the fields.</p>
+
+<p>"If this business o' war was through with, things 'd git right agin."</p>
+
+<p>"But it ain't goin' t' be over, let me tell you that."</p>
+
+<p>They became silent.</p>
+
+<p>Sad as was their plight, it was no sadder than the plight of many of
+their class. The horrors of a protracted war had visited with equal
+severity the dwelling places of the rich and the poor. It was not a
+question of the provision of the sinews of war; tax had been enacted of
+all classes alike. But it did seem as if the angel of poverty had
+tarried the longer at the doorposts of the less opulent and had, in
+proportion to their indigence, inflicted the greater suffering and
+privation. Figuratively speaking, this was the state of affairs with
+Jim's house.</p>
+
+<p>Everything that could stimulate, and everything that could gratify the
+propensities of a middle-aged couple, the blessings of health, the daily
+round of occupation, the joys of life and the hopes of at length
+obtaining possession of a little home, all these and the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>contentment of
+living, had at once been swept away from Jim Cadwalader and his wife by
+the calamities of war. They had lived as many had lived who have no
+different excuse to plead for their penury. The wages of their day's
+labor had been their sole means of support, and when this source of
+income had vanished, nothing was left. In the low and dingy rooms which
+they called their home there were no articles of adornment and many
+necessary for use were wanting. Sand sprinkled on the floor did duty as
+a carpet. There was no glass upon their table; no china on the cupboard;
+no prints on the wall. Matches were a treasure and coal was never seen.
+Over a fire of broken boxes and barrels, lighted with sparks from the
+flint, was cooked a rude meal to be served in pewter dishes. Fresh meat
+was rarely tasted&mdash;at most but once a week, and then paid for at a
+higher price than their scanty means could justly allow.</p>
+
+<p>"The way things 're goin' a pair o' boots 'll soon cost a man 'most six
+hundr' dollars. I heard a man say who 's good at figurin' out these
+things, that it now takes forty dollar bills t' make a dollar o' coin.
+We can't stand that much longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Unless a great blow is struck soon," observed Nancy.</p>
+
+<p>"But it won't be struck. Washington's watchin' Clinton from Morristown.
+The Americans are now on the offensive an' Clinton 's busy holdin' New
+York. The French 're here an' who knows but they may do somethin'. 'Twas
+too bad they missed Howe's army when it left here."</p>
+
+<p>"Were they here?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were at the capes when the chase was over. Lord Howe's ships had
+gone."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p><p>Again there was silence.</p>
+
+<p>"I guess Washington can't do much without an army. He has only a handful
+an' I heard that the volunteers won't stay. Three thousan' o' them left
+t' other day. Can't win a war that way. If they'd only listen to Barry
+they'd have a navy now, an' if they want to catch Clinton in New York
+they'll need a navy."</p>
+
+<p>"Is the Captain home?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw him t' other day. He is goin' t' Boston t' command the <i>Raleigh</i>,
+a thirty-two gunner. But one's no good. He needs a fleet."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God! The French have come. Peace is here now."</p>
+
+<p>"It's money we need more'n soldiers. We can git an army right here if we
+could only pay 'em. No one 'll fight fur nuthin'. They're starvin' as
+much as us."</p>
+
+<p>The fact that the hopes of this American couple had suffered a partial
+collapse, must be attributed rather to the internal state of affairs
+than to the military situation. While it is true that no great military
+objective had been gained as a result of the three years of fighting,
+yet the odds at the present moment were decidedly on the American side.
+Still the country was without anything fit to be called a general
+government. The Articles of Confederation, which were intended to
+establish a league of friendship between the thirteen states, had not
+yet been adopted. The Continental Congress, continuing to decline in
+reputation and capacity, provoked a feeling of utter weariness and
+intense depression. The energies and resources of the people were
+without organization.</p>
+
+<p>Resources they had. There was also a vigorous and an animated spirit of
+patriotism, but there were<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span> no means of concentrating and utilizing
+these assets. It was the general administrative paralysis rather than
+any real poverty that tried the souls of the colonists. They heartily
+approved of the war; Washington now held a higher place in their hearts
+than he had ever held before; peace seemed a certainty the longer the
+war endured. But they were weary of the struggle and handicapped by the
+internal condition of affairs.</p>
+
+<p>Jim and his wife typified the members of the poorer class, the class
+upon whom the war had descended with all its horror and cruelty and
+desolation. Whatever scanty possessions they had, cows, corn, wheat or
+flour, had been seized by the foraging parties of the opposing forces,
+while their horse and wagon had been impressed into the service of the
+British, at the time of the evacuation of the city, to cart away the
+stores and provisions. A means of occupation had been denied Jim during
+the period of stagnation and what mere existence could now be eked out
+depended solely in the tillage of the land upon which he dwelled.
+Nevertheless the Cadwaladers maintained their outward cheer and apparent
+optimism throughout it all but still they yearned inwardly for the day
+when strife would be no more.</p>
+
+<p>"I can't see as t' how we're goin' to git off eny better when this here
+whole thin's over. We're fightin' fur independence, but the peopul don't
+want to change their guver'ment; Washington 'll be king when this is
+over."</p>
+
+<p>Jim was ruminating aloud, stripping with his thumb nail the bark from a
+small branch which he had picked from the ground.</p>
+
+<p>"'Twas the Quebec Act th' done it. It was supposed to re&euml;stablish Popery
+in Canada, and did by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> right. But th' Americans, and mostly those in New
+England who are the worst kind of Dissenters and Whigs got skeered
+because they thought the Church o' England or the Church o' Rome 'd be
+the next thing established in the Colonies. That's what brought on the
+war."</p>
+
+<p>"We all don't believe that. Some do; but I don't."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't?" he asked, without lifting his eyes to look at her. "Well
+you kin. Wasn't the first thing they did up in New England to rush t'
+Canada t' capture the country or else t' form an alliance with it? And
+didn't our own Arnold try t' git revenge on it fur not sidin' in with
+him by plunderin' th' homes of th' peopul up there and sendin' the goods
+back to Ticonderoga?"</p>
+
+<p>She made no reply, but continued to peer into the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"And didn't our Congress send a petition to King George t' have 'm
+repeal the limits o' Quebec and to the peopul t' tell 'm the English
+Guver'ment 'is not authorized to establish a religion fraught with
+sanguary 'r impius tenets'? I know 'cause I read it."</p>
+
+<p>"It makes no diff'rence now. It's over."</p>
+
+<p>"Well it shows the kind o' peopul here. They're so afreed o' the Pope."</p>
+
+<p>She waved her hand in a manner of greeting.</p>
+
+<p>"Who's that?" asked Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie."</p>
+
+<p>He turned sideways looking over his shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>Then he stood up.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>That there was more than a grain of truth in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> assertion of Jim
+Cadwalader that the war for Independence had, like the great rivers of
+the country, many sources, cannot be gainsaid. There were oppressive tax
+laws as well as restrictions on popular rights. There were odious
+navigation acts together with a host of iniquitous, tyrannical measures
+which were destined to arouse the ire of any people however loyal. But
+there were religious prejudices which were likewise a moving cause of
+the revolt, a moving force upon the minds of the people at large. And
+these were utilized and systematized most effectively by the active
+malcontents and leaders of the strife.</p>
+
+<p>The vast majority of the population of the Colonies were Dissenters,
+subjects of the crown who disagreed with it in matters of religious
+belief and who had emigrated thither to secure a haven where they might
+worship their God according to the dictates of their own conscience
+rather than at the dictates of a body politic. The Puritans had sought
+refuge in Massachusetts and Connecticut where the white spires of their
+meeting houses, projecting above the angles of the New England hills,
+became indicative of Congregationalism. Roger Williams and the Baptists
+found a harbor in Rhode Island. William Penn brought the Quaker colony
+to Pennsylvania. Captain Thomas Webb lent active measures to the
+establishment of Methodism in New York and in Maryland, while the colony
+of Virginia afforded protection to the adherents of the Established
+Church. The country was in the main Protestant, save for the vestiges of
+Catholicity left by the Franciscan and Jesuit Missionary Fathers, who
+penetrated the boundless wastes in an heroic endeavor to plant the seeds
+of their faith in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> rich and fertile soil of the new and unexplored
+continent.</p>
+
+<p>Consequently with the passage of the Quebec Act in 1774 a wave of
+indignation and passionate apprehension swept the country from the
+American Patriots of Boston to the English settlements on the west. That
+large and influential members of the Protestant religion were being
+assailed and threatened with oppression and that the fear of Popery,
+recently re&euml;stablished in Canada, became an incentive for armed
+resistance, proved to be motives of great concern. They even reminded
+King George of these calamities and emphatically declared themselves
+Protestants, faithful to the principles of 1688, faithful to the ideals
+of the "Glorious Revolution" against James II, faithful to the House of
+Hanover, then seated on the throne.</p>
+
+<p>"Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic Church?"
+asked John Adams of Thomas Jefferson. This simple question embodied in
+concrete form the apprehensions of the country at large, whose
+inhabitants had now become firmly convinced that King George, in
+granting the Quebec Bill, had become a traitor, had broken his
+coronation oath, was a Papist at heart, and was scheming to submit this
+country to the unconstitutional power of the English monarch. It was not
+so much a contest between peoples as a conflict of principles, political
+and religious, the latter of which contributed the active force that
+brought on the revolt and gave it power.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>Strange to relate, there came a decided reversal of position after the
+formation of the French Alliance. No longer was the Catholic religion
+simply tolerated; it was openly professed, and, owing in a great measure
+to the unwearied labors of the Dominican and Franciscan friars, made the
+utmost progress among all ranks of people. The fault of the Catholic
+population was anything but disloyalty, it was found, and their manner
+of life, their absolute sincerity in their religious convictions, their
+generous and altruistic interest in matters of concern to the public
+good, proved irrefutable arguments against the calumnies and
+vilifications of earlier days. The Constitutions adopted by the several
+states and the laws passed to regulate the new governments show that the
+principles of religious freedom and equality had made progress during
+the war and were to be incorporated as vital factors in the shaping of
+the destinies of the new nation.</p>
+
+<p>The supreme importance of the French Alliance at this juncture cannot be
+overestimated. Coming, as it did, at a time when the depression of the
+people had reached the lowest ebb, when the remnant of the army of the
+Americans was enduring the severities of the winter season at Valley
+Forge, when the enemy was in possession of the fairest part of the
+country together with the two most important cities, when Congress could
+not pay its bills, nor meet the national debt which alone exceeded forty
+million dollars,&mdash;when the medium of exchange would not circulate
+because of its worthlessness, when private debts could not be collected
+and when credit was generally prostrated, the Alliance proved a benefit
+of incalculable value to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> struggling nation, not only in the
+enormous resources which it supplied to the army but in the general
+morale of the people which it made buoyant.</p>
+
+<p>The capture of Burgoyne and the announcement that Lord North was about
+to bring in conciliatory measures furnished convincing proof to France
+that the American Alliance was worth having. A treaty was drawn up by
+virtue of which the Americans solemnly agreed, in consideration of armed
+support to be furnished by France, never to entertain proposals of peace
+with Great Britain until their independence should be acknowledged, and
+never to conclude a treaty of peace except with the concurrence of their
+new ally.</p>
+
+<p>Large sums of money were at once furnished the American Congress. A
+strong force of trained soldiers was sent to act under Washington's
+command. A powerful fleet was soon to set sail for American waters and
+the French forces at home were directed to cripple the military power of
+England and to lock up and neutralize much British energy which would
+otherwise be directed against the Americans. Small wonder that a new era
+began to dawn for the Colonists!</p>
+
+<p>When we remember the anti-Catholic spirit of the first years of the
+Revolution and consider the freedom of action which came to the
+Catholics as a consequence of the French Alliance, another and a
+striking phase of its influence is revealed. The Catholic priests
+hitherto seen in the colonies had been barely tolerated in the limited
+districts where they labored. Now came Catholic chaplains of foreign
+embassies; army and navy chaplains celebrating mass with pomp on the
+men-of-war and in the camps and cities. The French chaplains were
+brought in contact with all classes of the people in all parts of the
+country and the masses said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span> in the French lines were attended by many
+who had never before witnessed a Catholic ceremony. Even Rhode Island,
+with a French fleet in her waters, blotted from her statute-book a law
+against Catholics.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>"What have we here, Marjorie?" asked Jim as he walked part of the way to
+meet her.</p>
+
+<p>"Just a few ribs of pork. I thought that you might like them."</p>
+
+<p>She gave Jim the basket and walked over to Mrs. Cadwalader and kissed
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Heaven bless you, Marjorie," exclaimed Nancy as she took hold of the
+girl's hands and held them.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you! But it is nothing, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"You kin bet it is," announced Jim as he removed from the basket a long
+side of pork. "Look 't that, Nancy." And he held it up for her
+observation.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie had been accustomed to render some relief to Jim and his wife
+since the time when reverses had first visited them. Her good nature, as
+well as her consideration of the long friendship which had existed
+between the two families, had prompted her to this service. Jim would
+never be in want through any fault of hers, yet she was discreet enough
+never to proffer any avowed financial assistance. The mode she employed
+was that of an occasional visit in which she never failed to bring some
+choice morsel for the table.</p>
+
+<p>"How's the dad?" asked Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Extremely well, thank you. He has been talking all day on the failure
+of the French to take Newport."</p>
+
+<p>"What's that?" asked Jim, thoroughly excited. "Has there been news in
+town?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span></p><p>"Haven't you heard? The fleet made an attack."</p>
+
+<p>"Where? What about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"They tried to enter New York to destroy the British, but it was found,
+I think, that they were too large for the harbor. So they sailed to
+Newport to attack the garrison there."</p>
+
+<p>"Yeh?"</p>
+
+<p>"General Sullivan operated on the land, and the French troops were about
+to disembark to assist him. But then Lord Howe arrived with his fleet
+and Count d'Estaing straightway put out to sea to engage him."</p>
+
+<p>"And thrashed 'm&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No," replied Marjorie. "A great storm came up and each had to save
+himself. From the reports Father gave, General Sullivan has been left
+alone on the island and may be fortunate if he is enabled to withdraw in
+safety."</p>
+
+<p>"What ails that Count!" exclaimed Jim thoroughly aroused. "I don't think
+he's much good."</p>
+
+<p>"Now don't git excited," interrupted Nancy. "That's you all th' time.
+Just wait a bit."</p>
+
+<p>"Just when we want 'im he leaves us. That's no good."</p>
+
+<p>"Any more news, girl?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. Everything is quiet except for the news we received about the
+regiment of Catholic volunteers that is being recruited in New York."</p>
+
+<p>"In New York? Clinton is there."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. This is a British regiment."</p>
+
+<p>"I see. Tryin' t' imitate 'The Congress' Own?"</p>
+
+<p>"So it seems."</p>
+
+<p>"And do they think they will git many Cath'lics, or that there 're
+enough o' them here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know," answered Marjorie. "But some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> handbills have appeared
+in the city which came from New York."</p>
+
+<p>"And they want the Cath'lics? What pay are they goin' t' give?"</p>
+
+<p>"Four pounds."</p>
+
+<p>"That's a lot o' money nowadays."</p>
+
+<p>"That is all I know about it. I can't think what success they will have.
+We are sure of some loyalists, however."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess I'll hev to git down town t' see what's goin' on. Things were
+quiet fur so long that I stayed pretty well t' home here. What does yur
+father think?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is angry, of course. But he has said little."</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw anything like it. What'll come next?"</p>
+
+<p>He folded his arms and crossed his knee.</p>
+
+<p>An hour later she stood at the gate taking her leave of Jim and Nancy at
+the termination of a short but pleasant visit.</p>
+
+<p>"Keep a stout heart," she was saying to Jim, "for better days are
+coming."</p>
+
+<p>"I know 't, girl. Washington won't fail."</p>
+
+<p>"He is coming here shortly."</p>
+
+<p>"To Philadelphia?" asked Nancy.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. So he instructed Captain Meagher."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope he removes Arnold."</p>
+
+<p>"Hardly. He is a sincere friend to him. He wishes to see Congress."</p>
+
+<p>"Has he been summon'd?"</p>
+
+<p>"No! Captain Meagher intimated to me that a letter had been sent to His
+Excellency from the former chaplain of Congress, the Rev. Mr. Duche,
+complaining that the most respectable characters had withdrawn and were
+being succeeded by a great majority of illiberal and violent men. He
+cited the fact that Maryland<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span> had sent the Catholic Charles Carroll of
+Carrollton instead of the Protestant Tilghman."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is this Duche?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. But he has since fled to the British. He warmly
+counseled the abandonment of Independence."</p>
+
+<p>"If that's his style, he's no good. Will we see the Gin'ral?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. Then again he may come and go secretly."</p>
+
+<p>"God help the man," breathed Nancy.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AII" id="CHAPTER_AII"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"Simply a written statement. A public utterance from you denouncing the
+Catholics would prove of incalculable value to us."</p>
+
+<p>John Anderson had been for an hour or more in the company of the
+Military Governor. Seemingly great progress had been made in the
+recruiting of the regiment, much of which had, of necessity, been
+effected in a secret manner, for now the city was under the domination
+of the Continental forces. Anderson had made the most of his time and
+was in a fair way to report progress for the past month.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be a fool, Anderson. You know that it would be the height of
+folly for me to make any such statement. I can do no more than I am
+doing. How many have you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nearly an hundred."</p>
+
+<p>"There are several miserable Papists in Congress. If they could be
+prevailed upon to resign, it would create a considerable impression upon
+the minds of the people."</p>
+
+<p>"I did see Carroll."</p>
+
+<p>"How did he receive you?"</p>
+
+<p>"He replied to me that he had entered zealously into the Revolution to
+obtain religious as well as civil liberty, and he hoped that God would
+grant that this religious liberty would be preserved in these states to
+the end of time."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span></p><p>"Confound him! We cannot reach him, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"So it appears. He is intensely patriotic."</p>
+
+<p>"You have an hundred, you say? All common folk, I venture. We should
+have several influential men."</p>
+
+<p>"But they cannot be reached. I know well the need of a person of
+influence, which thought urged me to ask such a statement from you."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at him savagely.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I'm a fool?"</p>
+
+<p>"'The fool knows more in his own house than a wise man does in
+another's.' I merely suggest, that is all."</p>
+
+<p>"My answer is,&mdash;absolutely, No!"</p>
+
+<p>There was silence.</p>
+
+<p>"I know that Roman Catholic influence is beginning to reveal itself in
+the army. Washington is well disposed toward them and they are good
+soldiers. Time was when they were less conspicuous; but nowadays every
+fool legislature is throwing public offices open to them and soon France
+will exercise the same control over these states as she now wields
+across the seas."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you be in league with France?" asked Anderson with a wavering
+tremor in his voice.</p>
+
+<p>"God knows how I detest it! But I have sworn to defend the cause of my
+country and I call this shattered limb to witness how well I have spent
+myself in her behalf. I once entertained the hope that our efforts would
+be crowned with success, nevertheless I must confess that the more
+protracted grows the struggle, the more the conviction is forced upon me
+that our cause is mistaken, if not entirely wrong, and destined to
+perish miserably. Still, I shall not countenance open rebellion. I could
+not."</p>
+
+<p>"You will continue to advise me. I am little <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>acquainted with the city,
+you know, and it would be difficult for me to avoid dangerous risks."</p>
+
+<p>Arnold thought for a minute, his features overcast by a scowl which
+closed his eyes to the merest chinks.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do no more than I have already done. I cannot permit myself to
+be entangled. There is too much at stake."</p>
+
+<p>He was playing a dangerous game, inspirited by no genuine love for
+country but by feelings of wounded pride. He was urged on, not through
+any fears of personal safety but through misguided intimidations of a
+foreign alliance; not because of any genuine desire to aid or abet the
+cause of the enemy but to cast suspicion upon a certain unit within his
+own ranks. To be deprived of active duty in the field was to his warm
+and impulsive nature an ignominious calamity. To learn subsequently of
+the appointment of Gates to the second in command, the one general whom
+he despised and hated, was more than his irritable temperament could
+stand. The American cause now appeared hopeless to him, nevertheless he
+entertained no thought of deserting it. He had performed his duty in its
+behalf, as his wounded limb often reminded him, and it was only fitting
+that he, who alone had destroyed a whole army of the enemy, should be
+rewarded with due consideration. Congress had ever been unfriendly to
+him and he had resented their action, or their failure to take proper
+action, most bitterly. Throughout it all his personal feelings had
+guided to a large extent his faculty of judgment, and for that reason he
+viewed with mistrust and suspicion every intent and purpose, however
+noble or exalted.</p>
+
+<p>He had been violently opposed to the alliance with France from the
+start. It was notorious that he <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>abhorred Catholics and all things
+Catholic. To take sides with a Catholic and despotic power which had
+been a deadly foe to the colonists ten or twenty years before, during
+the days of the French and Indian wars, was to his mind a measure at
+once unpatriotic and indiscreet. In this also, he had been actuated by
+his personal feelings more than by the study of the times. For he
+loathed Popery and the thousand and one machinations and atrocities
+which he was accustomed to link with the name.</p>
+
+<p>The idea of forming a regiment of Catholic soldiers interested him not
+in the numerical strength which might be afforded the enemy but in the
+defection which would be caused to the American side. His scheme lay in
+the hope that the Catholic members of Congress would be tempted to
+resign. In that event he would obtain evident satisfaction not alone in
+the weakness to which the governing body would be exposed but also in
+the ill repute to which American Catholics and their protestations of
+loyalty would fall.</p>
+
+<p>Arnold deep down in his own heart knew that his motives were not
+unmixed. He could not accuse himself of being outrageously mercenary,
+yet he was ashamed to be forced to acknowledge even to himself that the
+desire of gain was present to his mind. His debts were enormous. He
+entertained in a manner and after a style far in excess of his modest
+allowance. His dinners were the most sumptuous in the town; his stable
+the finest; his dress the richest. And no wonder that his play, his
+table, his balls, his concerts, his banquets had soon exhausted his
+fortune. Congress owed him money, his speculations proved unfortunate,
+his privateering ventures met with disaster. With debts accumulating and
+creditors giving him no peace he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> turned to the gap which he saw opening
+before him. This was an opportunity not to be despised.</p>
+
+<p>"About that little matter&mdash;how soon might I be favored?" the Governor
+asked, rising from his chair and limping with his cane across the room.</p>
+
+<p>"You refer to the matter of reimbursements?" Anderson asked
+nonchalantly.</p>
+
+<p>"I do."</p>
+
+<p>He gazed from the window with his back turned to his visitor.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall draw an order for you at once."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall do nothing of the kind."</p>
+
+<p>He looked fiercely at him.</p>
+
+<p>"You are playing a clever game, are you not? But you have to cope now
+with a clever adversary."</p>
+
+<p>He walked deliberately before him, and continued:</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson," he said, "I want to tell you I know who you are and for what
+purpose you have been sent here. I know too by whom you have been sent.
+I knew it before you were here twenty-four hours and I want to tell you
+now before we continue that we may as well understand each other in a
+thorough manner. If you desire my assistance you must pay me well for
+it. And it must be in legal tender."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course&mdash;but&mdash;but&mdash;the truth is that I am in no way prepared to make
+any offer now. I can communicate with you in a few days, or a week."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't come here. You must not be seen here again. Send it to me or
+better still meet me."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you trust the Shippens?"</p>
+
+<p>"Absolutely."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not there?"</p>
+
+<p>"You mean to confer with me there?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span></p><p>"If it is safe, as you say, where would be more suitable?"</p>
+
+<p>"True. But I must have some money as soon as possible. The nation is
+bankrupt and my pay is long overdue. I cannot, however, persuade the
+creditors any longer. I must have money."</p>
+
+<p>"You shall have it. At Shippen's then."</p>
+
+<p>He rose and walked directly to the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Next week."</p>
+
+<p>He shut the door after him and hurried along the corridor. As he turned
+he came face to face with a countenance entirely familiar to him but
+momentarily lost to his consciousness by its sudden and unexpected
+appearance. In a second, however, he had recovered himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Captain! I am pleased indeed."</p>
+
+<p>He put out his hand.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen thought for a moment. Then he grasped it.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Anderson. What good fortune is this?"</p>
+
+<p>"Complimentary. Simply paying my respects for kindness rendered."</p>
+
+<p>"Have a care lest your zeal overwhelm you."</p>
+
+<p>Anderson colored at the allusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I shall exercise all moderation."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen watched him as he moved away, deliberating hurriedly on the
+advisability of starting after him. Whatever his mission or his purpose,
+he would not learn in this house certainly, nor from him nor from Arnold
+for that matter. If he was intent on securing information concerning
+this man he must do it in a surreptitious manner. There was no other
+method of dealing with him, he thought, and in view of such
+circumstances he deemed it perfectly legitimate to follow him at a safe
+distance.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span></p><p>The more he thought over it the more readily did he resolve to take
+action to the end that he might see more of him. Whatever mischief was
+afoot, and he had no more than a mere suspicion that there was mischief
+afoot, must reveal itself sooner or later. His object in all probability
+had already been accomplished, nevertheless his errand, if he was
+engaged on an errand, might be disclosed. He would follow him if for no
+other purpose than to learn of his destination.</p>
+
+<p>Second Street was now astir with a lively procession. There, every day
+when business was over, when the bank was closed, when the exchange was
+deserted, crowds of seekers came to enjoy the air and to display their
+rich garments. There might be found the gentlemen of fashion and of
+means, with their great three-cornered cocked hats, resting majestically
+upon their profusely powdered hair done up in cues, their light colored
+coats, with their diminutive capes and long backs, their striped
+stockings, pointed shoes, and lead-laden cuffs, paying homage to the
+fair ladies of the town. These, too, were gorgeous in their brocades and
+taffetas, luxuriantly displayed over cumbrous hoops, tower-built hats,
+adorned with tall feathers, high wooden heels and fine satin petticoats.
+It was an imposing picture to behold these gayly dressed damsels gravely
+return the salutations of their gallant admirers and courtesy almost to
+the ground before them.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen searched deliberately for his man throughout the length of the
+crowded thoroughfare, standing the while on the topmost step of the
+Governor's Mansion&mdash;that great old-fashioned structure resembling in
+many details a fortification, with its two wings like bastions extending
+to the rear, its spacious yard <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>enclosed with a high wall and ornamented
+with two great rows of lofty pine trees. It was the most stately house
+within the confines of the city and, with Christ Church, helped to make
+Second Street one of the aristocratic thoroughfares of the town.</p>
+
+<p>It was with difficulty that Stephen discerned Anderson walking briskly
+in the direction of Market Street. He set off immediately, taking care
+to keep at a safe distance behind him. He met several acquaintances, to
+whom he doffed his hat and returned their afternoon greeting, while he
+pursued his quest with lively interest and attention. Market Street was
+reached, and here he was obliged to pause near a shop window lest he
+might overtake Anderson, who had halted to exchange pleasantries with a
+young and attractive couple. On they went again deliberately and
+persistently until at length it began to dawn upon Stephen that they
+were headed for the Germantown road, and for Allison's house.</p>
+
+<p>What strange relation was arising between Marjorie and that man?
+Anderson was paying marked attention to her, he began to muse to
+himself, too much attention perhaps, for one whose whole existence was
+clouded with a veil of mystery. Undoubtedly he was meeting with some
+encouragement, if not reciprocation (perish the thought!), for he was
+persistent in his attention. Yet this man was not without charm. There
+was something fascinating about him which even Stephen must confess was
+compelling. What if she had been captivated by him, by his engaging
+personal qualities, by his prepossessing appearance, by his habit of
+gentle speech, by his dignity and his ease of manner! His irritation was
+justifiable.</p>
+
+<p>There was little doubt now as to Anderson's <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>destination. Plainly he was
+bent on one purpose. The more he walked, the more evident this became.
+Stephen would be assured, however, and pursued his way until he had seen
+with his own eyes his man turn into Allison's house. And not until then
+did he halt. Turning deliberately he began to retrace his steps.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"This looks like the kind of book. Has it the 'Largo'?"</p>
+
+<p>Anderson sat on the music-stool before the clavichord turning over the
+pages of a volume that rested on the rack.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. I scarce think I know what it is. I have never heard it."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie was nearby. She had been musing over the keys, letting her
+fingers wander where they would, when he had called. He would not
+disturb her for all the world, nevertheless he did yield to her
+entreaties to take her place on the stool.</p>
+
+<p>"You have never heard Handel? The 'Largo' or the greatest of all
+oratorios, his 'Messiah'?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never!"</p>
+
+<p>He did not reply to this. Instead he broke into the opening chords, the
+sweetly solemn, majestic harmony of the 'Largo'. He played it entirely
+from memory, very slowly, very softly at first, until the measured
+notes, swelling into volume, filled the room in a loud arpeggio.</p>
+
+<p>"That is beautiful," she exclaimed with enthusiasm, "I should have said
+'exquisite'. May I learn it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Surely there must be a copy in the city. I shall consider it a favor to
+procure one for you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p><p>"I should be delighted, I am sure."</p>
+
+<p>He played it again. She regarded him from above. It was astonishing to
+note the perfect ease and grace with which he performed. The erect
+carriage, the fine cut of the head, the delicately carved features
+became the objects of her attention in their inverse order, and the
+richly endowed talents, with which he was so signally accomplished,
+furnished objects of special consideration to her reflective soul. He
+was exceedingly fascinating and a dangerous object to pit against the
+heart of any woman. Still Marjorie was shrewd enough to peer beneath his
+superficial qualities, allowing herself to become absorbed in a
+penetrating study of the man, his character, his peculiarities;&mdash;so
+absorbed, in fact, that the door behind her opened and closed without
+attracting her attention.</p>
+
+<p>"I must obtain that copy," she announced as she turned towards her
+chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Father!" she exclaimed. "When did you come? Mr. Anderson, Father.
+You already know him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well met, my boy. You are somewhat of a musician. I was listening."</p>
+
+<p>"Just enough for my own amusement," laughed the younger man. "I know a
+few notes."</p>
+
+<p>"Be not quick to believe him, Father. He plays beautifully."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allison sat down.</p>
+
+<p>"Accomplishments are useful ornaments. Nowadays a man succeeds best who
+can best impress. People want to see one's gifts."</p>
+
+<p>"The greatest of talents often lie buried. Prosperity thrives on
+pretense."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p><p>"True. I'm beginning to think that way myself, the way things 're
+going."</p>
+
+<p>"With the war?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"With everything. I think Congress will fail to realize its boasts, and
+Arnold is a huge pretender, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"He has lost favor with the people."</p>
+
+<p>"Lost it? He never had it from the day he arrived. People do not like
+that sort of thing."</p>
+
+<p>Anderson watched him intently and Marjorie watched Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"He may resign for a command in the army. I have heard it said that he
+dislikes his office."</p>
+
+<p>"Would to God he did! Or else go over to the other side."</p>
+
+<p>Anderson's head turned&mdash;the least little fraction&mdash;so that Marjorie
+could see the flash light up his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"He could not desert the cause now without becoming a traitor."</p>
+
+<p>A pause followed.</p>
+
+<p>"Men of lofty patriotism often disagree in the manner of political
+action. We have many Loyalists among us."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet they are not patriots."</p>
+
+<p>"No! They are not, viewed from our standpoint. But every colony has a
+different motive in the war. Now that some have obtained their rights,
+they are satisfied with the situation. I don't know but that we would be
+as well off if the present state of affairs were allowed to stand."</p>
+
+<p>"What do the Catholics of the Colonies think?"</p>
+
+<p>This was a bold question, yet he ventured to ask it.</p>
+
+<p>"We would fare as well with England as with some of our own," answered
+Marjorie decisively.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p><p>Anderson looked at her for a minute.</p>
+
+<p>"Never!" replied Mr. Allison with emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"See how Canada fared," insisted Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"Tush!"</p>
+
+<p>Anderson listened attentively. Here was a division of opinion within the
+same family; the father intensely loyal, the daughter somewhat inclined
+to analysis. A new light was thrown upon her from this very instant
+which afforded him a very evident satisfaction, a very definite and
+conscious enjoyment as well. To have discovered this mind of apparent
+candor and unaffected breadth was of supreme import to him at this
+critical moment. And he felt assured that he had met with a character of
+more than ordinary self-determination which might, if tuned properly,
+display a capacity for prodigious possibilities, for in human nature he
+well knew the chord of self-interest to be ever responsive to adequate
+and opportune appeal.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie might unconsciously prove advantageous to him. It was essential
+for the maturing of his plans to obtain Catholic co&ouml;peration. She was a
+devout adherent and had been, insofar as he had been able to discover,
+an ardent Whig. True, he had but few occasions to study her,
+nevertheless today had furnished him with an inkling which gave her
+greater breadth in his eyes than he was before conscious of. The remark
+just made might indicate that she favored foreign rule in the interest
+of religious toleration, yet such a declaration was by no means
+decisive. Still he would labor to this end in the hope that she might
+ultimately see her way clear to co&ouml;perate with him in his designs.</p>
+
+<p>"We are losing vast numbers through the Alliance," volunteered Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so," admitted Mr. Allison. "Many of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> the colonists cannot
+endure the thought of begging assistance from a great Roman Catholic
+power. They fear, perhaps, that France will use the opportunity to
+inflict on us the worst form of colonialism and destroy the Protestant
+religion."</p>
+
+<p>"But it isn't the Protestants who are deserting," persisted Anderson.
+"The Catholics are not unmindful of the hostile spirit displayed by the
+colonists in the early days. They, too, are casting different lots."</p>
+
+<p>"Not we. Every one of us is a Whig. Some have faltered, but we do not
+want them."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet the reports from New York seem to indicate that the recruiting
+there is meeting with success."</p>
+
+<p>"The Catholic regiment? I'll wager that it never will exist except on
+paper. There are no Tories, no falterers, no final deserters among the
+American Catholics."</p>
+
+<p>"What efforts are being made in Philadelphia?" asked Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"None&mdash;that I know of," was the grave reply. "I did hear, however, that
+an opportunity would be given those who are desirous of enlisting in New
+York."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie sat and watched him.</p>
+
+<p>"I heard Father Farmer was invited to become its chaplain," observed Mr.
+Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"Did he?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did not. He told me himself that he wrote a kind letter with a stern
+refusal."</p>
+
+<p>And so they talked; talked into the best part of an hour, now of the
+city's activities, now of the Governor, now of the success of the
+campaign, until Anderson felt that he had long overstayed his leave.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to leave your company." Then to Marjorie, "At Shippen's
+tomorrow?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p><p>"Yes. Will you come for me? If you won't I daresay I shall meet you
+there."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I shall come. Please await me."</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>That there was a state of pure sensation and of gay existence for
+Marjorie in the presence of this man, she knew very well; and while she
+felt that she did not care for him, nevertheless she was conscious of a
+certain subtle influence about him which she was powerless to define. It
+has been said that not all who know their mind know their own heart; for
+the heart often perceives and reasons in a manner wholly peculiar to
+itself. Marjorie was aware of this and the utmost effort was required of
+her to respond solely to the less alluring promptings of her firm will.</p>
+
+<p>She would allow him to see her again that she might learn more about him
+and his strange origin. Stephen had suggested to her the merest
+suspicion concerning him. There was the possibility that the germ of
+this suspicion might develop,&mdash;and in her very presence. The contingency
+was certainly equal to the adventure.</p>
+
+<p>It was not required that she pay a formal call on Peggy. Already had
+that been done, immediately after the announcement of the engagement,
+when she had come to offer congratulations to the prospective bride upon
+her enviable and happy fortune. The note, which again had come into her
+possession upon Stephen's return of it, whose contents were still
+unknown to her, she had restored to Peggy, together with a full
+explanation of its loss and its subsequent discovery. One phase of its
+history, however, she had purposely overlooked. It might have proved
+embarrassing for<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span> her to relate how it chanced to fall into the hands of
+Stephen. And inasmuch as he had made no comment upon its return, she was
+satisfied that the incident was unworthy of the mention.</p>
+
+<p>Anderson called promptly on the hour and found her waiting. They left
+the house at once and by mutual agreement walked the entire distance.
+This was preferable, for there was no apparent haste to reach their
+destination, and for the present no greater desire throbbed within them
+than the company of their own selves. For they talked continually of
+themselves and for that reason could never weary of each other's
+company.</p>
+
+<p>The country about them was superb. The fields stood straight in green
+and gold on every side of the silvery road. Beside them as they passed,
+great trees reared themselves aloft from the greensward, which divided
+the road from the footpath, and rustled in the breeze, allowing the
+afternoon sunshine to reveal itself in patches and glimpses; and the air
+between was a sea of subdued light, resonant with the liquid notes of
+the robin and the whistle of the quail, intruders upon the uniform
+tranquillity of the hot Sunday afternoon.</p>
+
+<p>"Does it not strike you that there are but few persons with whom it is
+possible to converse seriously?"</p>
+
+<p>"Seriously?" asked Marjorie. "What do you call seriously?"</p>
+
+<p>"In an intelligent manner, together with perfect ease and attention."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose that this is true on account of the great want of sincerity
+among men."</p>
+
+<p>"That, as well as the impatient desire we possess of intruding our own
+thoughts upon our hearer with little<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span> or no desire of listening to those
+which he himself may want to express."</p>
+
+<p>"We are sincere with no one but ourselves, don't you think? The mere
+fact of the entrance of a second person means that we must try to
+impress him. You have said that prosperity thrives on pretense."</p>
+
+<p>"And I repeat it. But with friends all guile and dissimulation ceases.
+We often praise the merits of our neighbor in the hope that he in turn
+will praise us. Only a few have the humility and the whole-hearted
+simplicity to listen well and to answer well. Sincerity to my mind is
+often a snare to gain the confidence of others."</p>
+
+<p>There was depth to his reasoning, Marjorie thought, which was
+riddle-like as well. It was amazing to her how well he could talk on any
+given topic, naturally, easily, seriously, as the case might be. He
+never seemed to assume the mastery of any conversation, nor to talk with
+an air of authority on any subject, for he was alive to all topics and
+entered into them with the same apparent cleverness and animated
+interest.</p>
+
+<p>He stopped suddenly and exerted a gentle though firm pressure on her
+arm, obliging her to halt her steps. Surprised, she turned and looked at
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>There was no response. Instead, she looked in the direction of his gaze.
+Then she saw.</p>
+
+<p>A large black snake lay in graceful curves across their path several
+rods ahead. Its head was somewhat elevated and rigid. Before it
+fluttered a small chickadee in a sort of strange, though powerless
+fascination, its wings partly open in a trembling manner, its chirp
+noisy and incessant, its movement rapid and nervous,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span> as it partly
+advanced, partly retreated before its enchanter. Nearer and nearer it
+came, with a great scurrying of the feet and wings, towards the
+motionless head of the serpent. Until Anderson, picking a stone from the
+roadside, threw a well-aimed shot which bounded over the head of the
+snake, causing it to turn immediately and crawl into the recesses of the
+deep underbrush of the adjoining field. The bird, freed from the source
+of its sinister charm, flew out of sight into safety.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God!" Marjorie breathed. "I was greatly frightened."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing would have saved that bird," was the reply. "It already was
+powerless."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie did not answer to this, but became very quiet and pensive. They
+walked on in silence.</p>
+
+<p>Nearing the home of Peggy, they beheld General Arnold seated before them
+on the spacious veranda in the company of his betrothed. Here was
+intrusion with a vengeance, Marjorie thought, but the beaming face and
+the welcoming expression soon dispelled her fears.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Shippen," Anderson said, as he advanced immediately toward her to
+seize her hand, "allow me to offer my tender though tardy
+congratulations. It was with the greatest joy that I listened to the
+happy announcement."</p>
+
+<p>"You are most kind, Mr. Anderson, and I thank you for it," was the soft
+response.</p>
+
+<p>"And you, General," said Marjorie. "Let me congratulate you upon your
+excellent choice."</p>
+
+<p>"Rather upon my good fortune," the Governor replied with a generous
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>Peggy blushed at the compliment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p><p>"How long before we may be enabled to offer similar greetings to you?"
+he asked of Mr. Anderson, who was assisting Marjorie into a chair by the
+side of Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Love rules his own kingdom and I am an alien."</p>
+
+<p>He drew himself near to the Governor and the conversation turned
+naturally and generally to the delicious evening. The very atmosphere
+thrilled with romance.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AIII" id="CHAPTER_AIII"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>Stephen was sitting in his room, his feet crossed on a foot-rest before
+him, his eyes gazing into the side street that opened full before his
+window. He had been reading a number of dispatches and letters piled in
+a small heap in his lap; but little by little had laid them down again
+to allow his mind to run into reflection and study. And so he sat and
+smoked.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>It seemed incredible that events of prime importance were transpiring in
+the city and that the crisis was so soon upon him. For nearly three
+months he had been accumulating, methodically and deliberately, a chain
+of incriminating evidence around the Military Governor and John
+Anderson, still he was utterly unaware of its amazing scope and
+magnitude. Perfidy was at work all around him and he was powerless to
+interfere; for the intrigue had yet to reach that point where conviction
+could be assured. Nevertheless, he continued to advance step by step
+with the events, and sensed keenly the while, the tension which was
+beginning to exist but which he could not very well point out.</p>
+
+<p>He had kept himself fully informed of the progress of affairs in New
+York, where the recruiting was being accomplished in an undisguised
+manner. The real facts, however, were being adroitly concealed from the
+bulk of the populace. Information of a surprising<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> nature had been
+forwarded to him from time to time in the form of dispatches and
+letters, all of which now lay before him, while a certain Sergeant
+Griffin had already been detailed by him to carry out the more hazardous
+work of espionage in the city of the enemy. The latter was in a fair way
+to report now on the progress of the work and had returned to
+Philadelphia for this very purpose.</p>
+
+<p>Irish Catholics had been found in the British Army at New York, but they
+had been impressed into the service. Sergeant Griffin had spoken to many
+deserters who avowed that they had been brought to the colonies against
+their own will, declaring that they had been "compelled to go on board
+the transports where they were chained down to the ring-bolts and fed
+with bread and water; several of whom suffered this torture before they
+could be made to yield and sign the papers of enlistment." In
+confirmation of this declaration, he had in his lap a letter written to
+General Washington by Arthur Lee, June 15, 1777, which read: "Every man
+of a regiment raised in Ireland last year had to be shipped off tied and
+bound, and most certainly they will desert more than any troops
+whatsoever." To corroborate this claim he had obtained several
+clippings, advertisements that had appeared in the New York newspapers,
+offering rewards for the apprehension of Irish soldiers who had deserted
+to the rebels.</p>
+
+<p>The same methods he learned were now being employed in the recruiting of
+the Catholic regiment. Blackmail had been resorted to with splendid
+results. In several instances enormous debts had been liquidated in
+favor of the recruits. Even commissions in the army of His Majesty had
+been offered as a bounty. There was success, if the few hundred faces in
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> ranks could be reckoned as a fair catch, yet the methods of
+recruiting did not begin to justify the fewness of the numbers.</p>
+
+<p>Just how this idea had taken root, he was at a loss to discover.
+Certainly not from the disloyalty manifested by the Catholic population
+during the war. The exploits of the famous "Congress' Own" Regiments
+might, he thought, have contributed much to the enemy's scheme. It was
+commonly known that two regiments of Catholics from Canada, raised in
+that northern province during the winter of 1775-76, had done valiant
+service against the British. A great number of the Canadian population
+had welcomed the patriots under Generals Schuyler, Montgomery and Arnold
+upon their attempted invasion of the country, and had given much
+assistance towards the success of their operations. Inasmuch as many had
+sought enlistment in the ranks as volunteers, an opportunity was
+furnished them by an act of Congress on January 20, 1776, authorizing
+the formation of two Canadian regiments of soldiers to be known as
+"Congress' Own." The First was organized by Colonel James Livingston;
+the Second by Colonel Moses Hazen. Both of these regiments continued in
+active service for the duration of the war, and both obtained a vote of
+thanks from the American Congress upon its termination.</p>
+
+<p>Herein, then, must lay the germ of the project of the British Regiment
+of Roman Catholic Volunteers.</p>
+
+<p>He sat and considered.</p>
+
+<p>"You tell me, then," he said quietly, "that this is the state of affairs
+in New York."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," replied the soldier.</p>
+
+<p>There was a further silence.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>The progress of the work in the city of Philadelphia had been less
+evident to him. Certain it was that Anderson was directing his undivided
+attention to the furtherance of the plan, for which task he had been
+admirably endowed by Nature. That Arnold, too, was greatly interested in
+the success of the plot, he already suspected, but in this he had no
+more than a suspicion, for he could not discover the least incriminating
+objective evidence against him. There were several whose names had been
+associated with the work; yet these, too, had revealed nothing, when
+confronted with a direct question. And whatever influence he might have
+had, whatever lurking suspicions he might have accumulated from the
+contributory details, these when simmered down amounted to little or
+nothing. The plan had not progressed to the extent required. There was
+nothing to do but to await further developments.</p>
+
+<p>This man Anderson was ingenuous. The most striking characteristic about
+him, that towards which and in support of which every energy and every
+talent had been schooled and bent, was an intrepid courage. A vast and
+complicated scheme of ambition possessed his whole soul, yet his
+disposition and address generally appeared soft and humane, especially
+when no political object was at stake.</p>
+
+<p>During the four or five months spent in the city, he had made a host of
+friends among all classes of people. His agreeable manner and his
+fluency of speech at once gained for him the confidence even of the most
+phlegmatic. No man was endowed with more engaging qualities for the
+work, if it may be assumed that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> he was engaged solely in the recruiting
+of a Tory Regiment from among the supporters of the Whigs. Everything
+seemed to declare that he was associated with the work. And because he
+was associated with it, it progressed.</p>
+
+<p>The names of several who had yielded allegiance to the opposite side
+were in the hands of Stephen. The Major of the new regiment was a
+Catholic, John Lynch. So were Lieutenant Eck, Lieutenant Kane, and
+Quartermaster Nowland. These were at present in New York, whither they
+had journeyed soon after the British occupation of the city. Of the
+hundred-odd volunteers, who were supposed to constitute the company,
+little could be learned because of the veil of secrecy which had from
+the very beginning enshrouded the whole movement.</p>
+
+<p>Pressure had been brought to bear on several, it was discovered, with
+the result that there was no alternative left them but to sign the
+papers of enlistment. In this Anderson had been materially aided by the
+Military Governor's intimate knowledge of the fortunes and prospects of
+the bulk of the citizenry. To imply this, however, was one thing; to
+prove it quite another. For whatever strength the accusation might bear
+in his own mind, he could not forget that it was still a mere suspicion,
+which must be endorsed by investigation if the people were to be
+convinced. And Stephen was unprepared to offer the results of his
+investigation to a populace which was too indolent and hasty to
+investigate them as facts and to discriminate nicely between the shades
+of guilt. Anderson was loved and admired by his countrymen and more
+especially by his countrywomen. Everything, it seemed, would be forgiven
+his youth, rank and genius.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p><p>Even Marjorie had been captivated by him, it appeared. The relationship
+which was beginning to thrive between them he disliked, and some day he
+would make that known to her. How attentive he had been to her was
+easily recognizable, but to what degree she returned this attention was
+another matter. What she thought of this stranger and to what extent he
+had impressed her, he longed to know, for it was weeks since he had laid
+eyes on her; and the last two attempts made by him to see her had found
+her in the company of Anderson, once at Shippen's, and again on a ride
+through the country. True, he himself had been absent from town for a
+brief time, immediately after his court-martial, when he returned to
+headquarters to file a report with his Commander-in-chief, and the few
+moments spent with her upon his return was the last visit. Undoubtedly
+he was a stranger to her now; she was absorbed with the other man.</p>
+
+<p>Still Stephen wished that he might see her. An insatiable longing filled
+his whole soul, like the eternal cravings of the heart for communion
+with the Infinite. There was certain situations where a man or woman
+must confide in some person to obtain advice or sympathy, or simply to
+unload the soul, and there was no one more becoming to Stephen than this
+girl. She understood him and could alleviate by her sole presence, not
+through any gift properly made, but by that which radiated from her
+alone, the great weight which threatened to overwhelm his whole being.
+Simply to converse with her might constitute the prophecy of a benign
+existence.</p>
+
+<p>He determined to see her that very evening.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"Marjorie," said Stephen, "of course you've a perfect right to do
+exactly as you like. But, you know, you did ask my opinion; didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did," said Marjorie, frowning. "But I disagree with you. And I think
+you do him a grave injustice."</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>She had been seated in a large comfortable chair in the middle of the
+side yard when he entered. A ball of black yarn which, with the aid of
+two great needles, she was industriously engaged in converting into an
+article of wearing apparel, lay by her side. Indeed, so engrossed was
+she, that he had opened and closed the gate before her attention was
+aroused. She rose immediately, laying her knitting upon the chair, and
+advanced to meet him.</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her.</p>
+
+<p>"Rather let me ask that question," was his query by way of reply.
+"Already twice have I failed to find you."</p>
+
+<p>They walked together to the chairs; she to her own, he to a smaller one
+that stood over against them.</p>
+
+<p>"That you called once, I know. Mother informed me."</p>
+
+<p>"You were similarly engaged on both occasions."</p>
+
+<p>He brought his chair near to her.</p>
+
+<p>"With Mr. Anderson?"</p>
+
+<p>She smiled straight in his face.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course."</p>
+
+<p>He, too, smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" then after a pause, "do you object?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span></p><p>He did not answer. His fingers drummed nervously on the arm of his
+chair and he looked far up the road.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not like him?" she asked quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be impossible for me to now tell you. As a matter of fact, I
+myself have been unable to form a definite opinion. I may let you know
+later. Not now."</p>
+
+<p>A deep sigh escaped her.</p>
+
+<p>"I should imagine you could read a man at first sight," she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"I never allowed myself that presumption. Men are best discovered at
+intervals. They are most natural when off their guard. Habit may
+restrain vice, and passion obscures virtue. I prefer to let them alone."</p>
+
+<p>She bit her lip, as her manner was, and continued to observe him. How
+serious he was! The buoyant, tender, blithesome disposition which
+characterized his former self, had yielded to a temper of saturnine
+complexion, a mien of grave and thoughtful composure. He was analytic
+and she began to feel herself a simple compound in the hands of an
+expert chemist.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to have caused you a disappointment."</p>
+
+<p>"Please, let me assure you there is no need of an apology."</p>
+
+<p>"And you were not disappointed?"</p>
+
+<p>A smile began to play about the corners of her small mouth. She tried to
+be humorous.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. But not to the extent of requiring an apology."</p>
+
+<p>"You might have joined us."</p>
+
+<p>"You know better than that."</p>
+
+<p>"I mean it. Peggy would have been pleased to have you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p><p>"Did she say so?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. But I know that she would."</p>
+
+<p>"Alas!" He raised his arm in a slight gesture.</p>
+
+<p>She was knitting now, talking as she did. She paused to raise her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you dislike Peggy," she said with evident emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"I scarce know. My instinct, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"I distrust her, if that is what you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you had reason?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot answer you now, for which I am very sorry. You will find my
+reasoning correct at some future time, I hope."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you approve of my friendship with her?"</p>
+
+<p>She did not raise her eyes this time, but allowed them to remain fixed
+upon the needles.</p>
+
+<p>"It is not mine to decide. You are mistress of your own destinies."</p>
+
+<p>Her face grew a shade paler, and the look in her eyes deepened.</p>
+
+<p>"I simply asked your advice, that was all."</p>
+
+<p>The words hit so hard that he drew his breath. He realized that he had
+been brusque and through his soul there poured a kind of anger first,
+then wounded pride, then a sense of crushing pain.</p>
+
+<p>"I regret having said that," he tried to explain to her. "But I cannot
+tell you what is in my mind. Since you do ask me, I fear Peggy greatly,
+but I would not say that your friendship with her should cease. Not at
+present, anyhow."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, did you approve of my going there with Mr. Anderson?"</p>
+
+<p>"With him? No."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p><p>"Can you tell me the reason?"</p>
+
+<p>And then he explained briefly to her of his reasons for disliking this
+man and of the veil of suspicion and of mystery with which he was
+surrounded. He did not think him a suitable companion for her, and
+wished for her own good that she would see no more of him.</p>
+
+<p>There was no reply to his observations. On the contrary Marjorie lapsed
+into a meditative silence which seemed to grow deeper and deeper as the
+moments passed. Stephen watched her until the suspense became almost
+beyond endurance, wondering what thoughts were coursing through her
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>At length he broke the silence with the words recorded at the beginning
+of the chapter; and Marjorie answered him quietly and deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>She continued with her knitting.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>A great melancholy fell upon him, if it were indeed possible for him to
+become more dispirited, against which he was powerless to contend. There
+was revealed to him on the instant a seeming predilection on the part of
+Marjorie for this man, Anderson. The longer they conversed, the deeper
+did that conviction grow. This made him careless and petulant. Now a
+feeling of deep regret stole over him because he had been so
+unsympathetic. In presence of her feeling of grief and disappointment,
+his pity was aroused.</p>
+
+<p>"I deeply regret the pain I have caused you," he said to her quietly and
+kindly. "It was altogether rude of me."</p>
+
+<p>She bit her lip violently, tremulously, in an effort to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span> restrain the
+flood of emotion which surged within, which threatened to burst forth
+with the pronunciation of the merest syllable.</p>
+
+<p>She did not reply, but fumbled with the knitted portion of her garment,
+running its edges through her fingers.</p>
+
+<p>"I had no intention of speaking of him as I did," he went on. "I would
+not, did you not ask me."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not offended."</p>
+
+<p>"Your composure reveals to me that you have been hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"I did not mean that you should know it."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely. But you could not disguise the fact. I shall give you the
+assurance, however, that the subject shall not be a topic for discussion
+by us again. He must not be mentioned."</p>
+
+<p>"Please! I&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"It was solely for yourself that I was concerned. Believe me when I say
+this. Insofar as I myself am concerned, I am wholly disinterested. I
+thought you desired to know and I told you as much as it was possible
+for me to tell. You must ask me no more."</p>
+
+<p>"He has not revealed this side of his character to me and I have been in
+his company on several occasions. Always has he been kind, gentlemanly,
+sincere, upright."</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes were centered full upon him, those large brown eyes that seemed
+to contain her whole being. Whether she was gay or sad, jocose or sober,
+enthusiastic or despondent, the nature of her feelings could be
+communicated solely by her eyes. She need not speak; they spoke for her.</p>
+
+<p>"You are right in believing every man virtuous until he has proved
+himself otherwise," he replied. "There<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> should be one weight and one
+measure. But I regulate my intercourse with men by the opposite
+standard. I distrust every man until he has proved himself worthy, and
+it was that principle which guided me, undoubtedly, in my application of
+it to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you consider that upright?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not misunderstand me. I do not form a rash judgment of every person
+I meet. As a matter of fact I arrive at no judgment at all. I defer
+judgment until after the investigation, and I beware of him until this
+investigation has been completed."</p>
+
+<p>"You are then obliged to live in a world of suspicion."</p>
+
+<p>"No. Rather in a world of security. How often has the knave paraded
+under the banner of innocence! The greatest thieves wear golden chains."</p>
+
+<p>"I could not live after such manner."</p>
+
+<p>She became impatient.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you thrown into daily relation with the world you would soon learn
+the art of discrimination. The trusty sentinel lives a life of
+suspicion."</p>
+
+<p>At length a truce was silently proclaimed. Composure reigned. The
+unpleasant episode had to all appearances been obliterated from their
+minds. There was even a touch of that old humor dancing in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Some one has said," she observed, "that 'suspicion is the poison of
+friendship.'"</p>
+
+<p>"And a Latin proverb runs, 'Be on such terms with your friend as if you
+knew he may one day become your enemy.' Friendship, I realize, is
+precious and gained only after long days of probation. The tough fibers
+of the heart constitute its essence, not the soft<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> texture of favors and
+dreams. We do not possess the friends we imagine, for the world is
+self-centered."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you no friends?"</p>
+
+<p>Now she smiled for the second time, but it was only a smile of humor
+about the corners of her mouth.</p>
+
+<p>"Only those before whom I may be sincere."</p>
+
+<p>He was serious, inclined to analysis, one might say.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you expect to find sincerity in others without yourself being
+sincere?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. But my friend possesses my other soul. I think aloud before him. It
+does not matter. I reveal my heart to him, share my joys, unburden my
+grief. There is a simplicity and a wholesomeness about it all. We are
+mutually sincere."</p>
+
+<p>"Your test is severe."</p>
+
+<p>"But its fruits imperishable."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot adopt your method," was the deliberate reply as she began to
+gather together her ball and needles.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's leave it at that."</p>
+
+<p>And they left it.</p>
+
+<h3>V</h3>
+
+<p>Long after he had gone she sat there until it was well into the evening,
+until the stars began to blink and nod and wrap themselves in the great
+cloak of the night, as they kept a silent vigil over the subdued silence
+which had settled down upon the vast earth and herself.</p>
+
+<p>The longer she sat and considered, the more melancholy did she become.
+Stephen was displeased with her conduct and made no effort to conceal
+it, inflicting only the greater wound by his ambiguous and incisive<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>
+remarks. His apparent unconcern and indifference of manner frightened
+her, and she saw, or she thought she saw a sudden deprivation of that
+esteem with which she was vain enough to presuppose he was wont to
+regard her. And yet he was mistaken, greatly mistaken. Furthermore, he
+was unfair to himself and unjust to her in the misinterpretation of her
+behavior. His displeasure pained her beyond endurance.</p>
+
+<p>In her relations with John Anderson, she had been genuinely sincere both
+with herself and with Stephen. The latter had asked her to help him; and
+this she was trying to do in her own way. That there was something
+suspicious about Anderson, she knew; but whether the cause lay in his
+manner of action or in the possession of documentary evidence, she could
+not so much as conjecture. What more apt method could be employed than
+to associate with him in the hope that at some time or other important
+information might be imparted to her? She did not intend to play the
+part of the spy; still if that was the r&ocirc;le in which she hoped to find
+Anderson, she was ready to assume a similar r&ocirc;le for the very purpose of
+outwitting him and defeating him on his own ground. If Stephen would
+only trust her. Oh, dear! And she wrung her hands in abject despair.</p>
+
+<p>Little by little her experiences of the summer just past came before her
+with a vividness which her experience with Stephen served only to
+intensify. First, there was the night of the Governor's Ball. He had
+come into her life there, filling a vacancy not realized before.
+Hitherto, she had been quite content in the company of almost any one,
+and especially with those of the sterner sex. But with the advent of
+this dashing young officer she began to experience a set of new<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>
+sensations. The incompleteness of her life was brought before her.</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to perfect her being, sharing her pleasures, lessening her
+woes, consoling her heart. Still, there was one office that he had
+failed to perform; he was not obsequious. Not that he was ever wanting
+in attention and deferential courtesy, or that he ever failed to betray
+a warmth of feeling or a generous devotion; but his manner was prosaic,
+thoroughly practical both in action and in expression. He spoke his
+thoughts directly and forcibly. He was never enthusiastic, never
+demonstrative, never warm or impulsive, but definite, well-ordered,
+positive. It was quite true that he was capable of bestowing service to
+the point of heroism when the occasion required, but such a quality was
+not spontaneous, because his heart, while intensely sympathetic,
+appeared cold and absolutely opposed to any sort of outburst. He was too
+prudent, too wise, too thoughtful, it seemed, acting only when sure of
+his ground, turning aside from all obstacles liable to irritate or
+confuse him.</p>
+
+<p>Then John Anderson came and initiated her into a newer world. He
+appeared to worship her, and tried to make her feel his devotion in his
+every act. He was gallant, dignified, charming, lavishing attention upon
+her to the point of prodigality. He said things which were pleasant to
+hear, and equally as pleasant to remember. What girl would not be
+attracted by such engaging personal qualities; but Marjorie decided that
+he was too much of the Prince Charming whose gentle arts proved to be
+his sole weapons for the major encounters of life.</p>
+
+<p>Hence she was not fascinated by his soft accomplishments. He interested
+her, but she readily perceived<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> that there was not in him that real
+depth which she had found in Stephen. True, he made her feel more like a
+superior being than as a mere equal; he yielded ever to her slightest
+whim, and did not discomfort her with weighty arguments. But her acumen
+was such that she was enabled to penetrate the gloss and appraise the
+man at his true value. The years spent at her mother's knee, the
+numberless hours in her father's shop where she came in contact with
+many men, her own temperament, prudent by nature, enabled her to
+perceive at a glance the contrast between a man of great and noble heart
+clothed in severe garments, and the charlatan garbed in the bright
+finery of festal dress.</p>
+
+<p>And now the boomerang against which she was defending herself struck her
+from a most unexpected angle. That Stephen should misunderstand her
+motives was preposterous; yet there was no other inference to be drawn
+from the tone of his conversation during the few distressful minutes of
+his last visit. In all probability, he had gone away laboring under the
+hateful impression that she was untrue, that she had permitted her heart
+to be taken captive by the first knight errant who had entered the
+lists. And what was more, the subject would never again be alluded to.
+He had promised that; and she knew that he was absolute in his
+determinations. His groundless displeasure disconcerted her greatly.</p>
+
+<p>Whether it became her to take the initiative in the healing of the
+breach which she felt growing wide between them, or simply to await the
+development of the course of action she had chosen to pursue, now became
+a problem to her perplexed mind. So much depended upon the view he would
+take of the whole situation that it was necessary for him to understand<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>
+from the very beginning. She would write him. But, no! That might be
+premature. She would wait and tell him, so great was her assurance that
+all would be well. She would tell him of her great and impassionate
+desire to be of assistance to him; she would put into words her analysis
+of this man's character, this man about whom he himself had first cast
+the veil of suspicion; she would relate her experience with him. She
+smiled to herself as she contemplated how pleased he would be once the
+frown of bewilderment had disappeared from his countenance.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie! Dost know the hour is late?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Mother! I am coming directly."</p>
+
+<p>It was late, though she scarce knew it. Gathering her things, she
+brought the chairs into the house.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AIV" id="CHAPTER_AIV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>Week after week sped by, summer ripened into fall, and fall faded into
+winter. All was monotony: the bleak winter season, the shorter days, the
+longer evenings, the city settling down into a period of seclusion and
+social inaction. There would be little of gayety this year. No foreign
+visitors would be entertained by the townsfolk. There would be no
+Mischienza to look forward to. It would be a lonely winter for the
+fashionable element, with no solemn functions, with no weekly dancing
+assemblies, with no amateur theatricals to rehearse. Indeed were it not
+for the approaching marriage of Peggy Shippen to the Military Governor,
+Philadelphia would languish for want of zest and excitement.</p>
+
+<p>The wedding took place at the home of the bride on Fourth Street. The
+&eacute;lite of the city, for the most part Tories, were in attendance. Mrs.
+Anne Willing Morris, Mrs. Bingham&mdash;all the leaders were there. So were
+Marjorie, John Anderson, Stephen, the Chews and Miss Franks from New
+York. The reception was brilliant, eclipsing anything of its kind in the
+history of the social life of the city, for Mrs. Shippen had vowed that
+the affair would establish her definitely and for all time the leader of
+the fashionable set of the town.</p>
+
+<p>The center of attraction was of course Peggy; and she carried herself
+well, enduring the trying ordeal<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> with grace and composure. And if one
+were to judge by the number and the quality of the gifts which loaded
+down one whole room, or by the throng which filled the house to
+overflowing, or by the motley crowd which surged without, impatient for
+one last look at the bride as she stepped into the splendid coach, a
+more popular couple was never united in matrimony. It was a great day
+for all concerned, and none was more happy nor more radiant than Peggy
+as she sat back in the coach and looked into the face of her husband and
+sighed with that contentment and complacency which one experiences in
+the possession of a priceless gem.</p>
+
+<p>Their homecoming, after the brief honeymoon, was delightful. No longer
+would they live in the great slate roof house on Second Street at the
+corner of Norris Alley, but in the more elegant old country seat in
+Fairmount, on the Schuylkill,&mdash;Mount Pleasant. Since Arnold had
+purchased this great estate and settled it immediately upon his bride,
+subject of course to the mortgage, its furnishings and its appointments
+were of her own choice and taste.</p>
+
+<p>It rose majestically before them on a bluff overlooking the river, a
+courtly pile of colonial Georgian architecture whose balustraded and
+hipped roof seemed to rear itself above the neighboring woodland, so as
+to command a magnificent broad view of the Schuylkill River and valley
+for miles around.</p>
+
+<p>"There! See, General! Isn't it heavenly?"</p>
+
+<p>She could not conceal her joy. Arnold looked and smiled graciously with
+evident satisfaction at the quiet homelike aspect of the place.</p>
+
+<p>Peggy was on the stone landing almost as soon as she emerged from the
+coach,&mdash;eager to peep inside, anxious to sit at last in her own home.
+Although she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> had already seen all that there was to see, and had spent
+many days previous to the marriage in arranging and planning the
+interior so as to have all in readiness for their return on this day,
+still she seemed to manifest a newer and a livelier joy, so pleasant and
+so perfect did all appeal.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, General! Isn't this just delicious?" And she threw her arms around
+his neck to give him a generous hug.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you happy now?" he questioned.</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly. Come let us sit and enjoy it."</p>
+
+<p>She went to the big chair and began to rock energetically; but only for
+a minute, for she spied in the corner of the room the great sofa, and
+with a sudden movement threw herself on that. She was like a small boy
+with a host of toys about him, anxious to play with all at the same
+time, and trying to give to each the same undivided attention. The
+massive candelabra on the table attracted her, so she turned her
+attention to that, fixing one of its candles as she neared it. Finally,
+a small water color of her father, which hung on the wall a little to
+one side, appealed to her as needing adjustment. She paused to regard
+the profile as she straightened it.</p>
+
+<p>The General observed her from the large chair into which he had flung
+himself to rest after the journey, following her with his eyes as she
+flitted about the great drawing-room. For the moment there was no object
+in that space to determine the angle of his vision, save Peggy, no other
+objective reality to convey any trace of an image to his imagination but
+that of his wife. She was the center, the sum-total of all his thoughts,
+the vivid and appreciable good that regulated his emotions, that
+controlled his impulses. And the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> confident assurance that she was
+happy, reflected from her very countenance, emphasized by her every
+gesture as she hurried here and there about the room in joyous
+contemplation of the divers objects that delighted her fancy, reanimated
+him with a rapture of ecstasy which he thought for the moment impossible
+to corporeal beings. The mere pleasure of beholding her supremely happy
+was for him a source of whole-souled bliss, illimitable and ineffable.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you care to dine now?" she asked of him as she approached his
+chair and leaned for support on its arms. "I'll ask Cynthia to make
+ready."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you will. That last stage of the trip was exhausting."</p>
+
+<p>And so these two with all the world in their possession, in each other's
+company, partook of their first meal together in their own dining-room,
+in their own private home.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"'Thou hast it now,&mdash;king, Cawdor, Glamis, all&mdash;&mdash;'" remarked Arnold to
+his wife as they made their way from the dining-room into the spacious
+hallway that ran through the house.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet it was not foully played," replied Peggy. "The tourney was fair."</p>
+
+<p>"I had thought of losing you."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you but read my heart aright at our first meeting, you might have
+consoled yourself otherwise."</p>
+
+<p>"It was the fear of my letter; the apprehension of its producing a
+contrary effect that furnished my misgiving. I trembled over the consent
+of your parents."</p>
+
+<p>"Dost know, too, that my mother favored the match<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> from the start? In
+truth she gave me every encouragement, perhaps awakened my soul to the
+flame."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter. We are in the morning of our bliss; its sun is about to
+remain fixed. Wish for a cloudless sky."</p>
+
+<p>They were now in the great drawing-room which ran the full depth of the
+building, with windows looking both east and west. In the middle of the
+great side wall lodged a full-throated fireplace above which rose
+imposingly an elaborately wrought overmantel, whose central panel was
+devoid of any ornamentation. The door frames with their heavily molded
+pediments, the cornices, pilasters, doortrims and woodwork rich in
+elaboration of detail were all distinctive Georgian, tempered, however,
+with much dignified restraint and consummate good taste.</p>
+
+<p>"We can thank the privateer for this. Still it was a fair profit and
+wisely expended, wiser to my mind than the methods of Robert Morris. At
+any rate it is the more satisfactory."</p>
+
+<p>"He has made excellent profits."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, he has lost as many as an hundred and fifty vessels.
+These have affected his earnings greatly. Were he not so generous to an
+ungrateful people, a great part of his loss might now have been
+retrieved."</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard it said, too, that he alone has provided the sinews of the
+revolt," said Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"Unquestionably. On one occasion, at a time of great want, I remember
+one of his vessels arrived with a cargo of stores and clothing, whose
+whole contents were given to Washington without any remuneration
+whatsoever. And you, yourself, remember that during the winter at Valley
+Forge, just about the time Howe<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> was evacuating the city, when there
+were no cartridges in the army but those in the men's boxes, it was he
+who rose to the emergency by giving all the lead ballast of his favorite
+privateer. He has made money, but he has lost a vast amount. I made
+money, too, just before I bought this house. And I have lost money."</p>
+
+<p>"And have been cheated of more."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Cheated. More generosity from my people! I paid the sailors their
+share of the prize money of the British sloop that they as members of
+the crew had captured, that is, with the help of two other privateers
+which came to their assistance. The court allowed the claims of the
+rival vessels but denied mine. I had counted upon that money but found
+myself suddenly deprived of it. Now they are charging me with having
+illegally bought up the lawsuit."</p>
+
+<p>He was seated now and lay back in his chair with his disabled limb
+propped upon a stool before him.</p>
+
+<p>"They continue to say horrid things about you. I wish you were done with
+them," Peggy remarked.</p>
+
+<p>He removed his finely powdered periwig and ran his heavy fingers through
+his dark hair.</p>
+
+<p>"I treat such aspersions with the contempt their pettiness deserves. I
+am still Military Governor of Philadelphia and as such am beholden to no
+one save Washington. The people have given me nothing and I have nothing
+to return save bitter memories."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we were away from here!" she sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"Margaret!" He never called her Peggy. He disliked it. "Are you not
+happy in this home which I have provided for you?"</p>
+
+<p>His eyes opened full.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't that," she replied, "I am afraid of Reed."</p>
+
+<p>"Reed? He is powerless. He is president of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> City Council which under
+English law is, in time of peace, the superior governing body of the
+people. But this is war, and he must take second place. I despise him."</p>
+
+<p>Peggy looked up inquiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"Suppose that the worst should happen?" she said.</p>
+
+<p>"But&mdash;how&mdash;what can happen?" he repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"Some great calamity."</p>
+
+<p>"How&mdash;what do you mean?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"If you should be removed, say, or transferred to some less important
+post?"</p>
+
+<p>A thought flashed into his mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Further humiliated?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why,&mdash;I don't know. I had thought of no possible contingency. I wished
+for a command in the Navy and wrote to Washington to that effect; but
+nothing came of it. I suppose my increasing interest in domestic affairs
+in the city, as well as my attentions to you, caused me to discontinue
+the application. Then again, I thought I was fitted for the kind of life
+led by my friend Schuyler in New York and had hoped to obtain a grant of
+land in the West where I might lead a retired life as a good citizen."</p>
+
+<p>"I would die in such a place. The Indians would massacre us. Imagine me
+hunting buffalo in Ohio!"</p>
+
+<p>Her face wore a sardonic smile. It was plain to be seen that she was in
+a flippant mood.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you given the matter a thought? Tell me," he questioned.</p>
+
+<p>"No! I could not begin to think."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not happy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Happiness springs not from a large fortune, and is often obtained when
+often unexpected. It is neither<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span> within us nor without us and only
+evident to us by the deliverance from evil."</p>
+
+<p>He glanced sharply. There was fire in his eye.</p>
+
+<p>"I know of what you are thinking. You are disturbed by these persistent
+rumors about me."</p>
+
+<p>She gave a little laugh, a chuckle, in a hopeless manner.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am. Go on." She answered mechanically and fell back in her
+chair.</p>
+
+<p>"You need not be disturbed. They are groundless, I tell you. Simply
+engendered by spite. And I blame partly the Papist Whigs. Damn 'em."</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't that alone."</p>
+
+<p>"That is some of it. The origin of the hostility to me was the closing
+of the shops for a week under an order direct from Washington himself,
+and a resolution of the Congress. Yet I was blamed. The next incident
+pounced upon by them was my use of the government wagons in moving
+stores. As you know I had this done to revictual and supply the army.
+But I permitted the empty wagons to bring back stores from the direction
+of New York and was charged with being in communication with the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"Which would be more praiseworthy."</p>
+
+<p>He paid no attention to her remark but continued:</p>
+
+<p>"I was honest in supposing the goods to be bonafide household goods
+belonging to non-combatants. As a matter of fact some of the decorations
+at our wedding were obtained in this manner. What followed? A public
+complaint."</p>
+
+<p>"I know."</p>
+
+<p>"Then that scheming interloper Matlack! You know of him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span></p><p>"You've heard of his father, of course!"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"The Secretary to Reed, the President of the Council? Timothy Matlack?
+His social aspirations were somewhat curtailed by my interest in public
+affairs. He has borne me in mind and evidently intends my ruin."</p>
+
+<p>"In that he differs not from many other so-called friends."</p>
+
+<p>"I did all in my power to soothe his ruffled feelings in a long,
+considerate letter in answer to his note of grievance. Only later I
+learned that it was his son whose haughty nature had been offended."</p>
+
+<p>"You were no party to the offense. In fact you knew naught of it until
+the episode had been concluded."</p>
+
+<p>"True, but Franks had taken part in it, and Franks was my head
+aide-de-camp. It was trivial. He wanted a barber and sent young Matlack
+who was doing sentry duty at the door to fetch one. Naturally I defended
+his action in my letter of reply."</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you, they do not want you here. Can't you sense that? Else these
+charges would never have been uttered. They are mere pretexts. They are
+weary of you and desire your resignation."</p>
+
+<p>She talked rapidly, violently. Her face assumed a stern expression.</p>
+
+<p>He did not reply but peered into the distance.</p>
+
+<p>"The 'American Fabius', I suppose, is still watching General Clinton,"
+Peggy continued.</p>
+
+<p>"He has thrown a cordon about him at New York. With a sufficient force
+he might take him."</p>
+
+<p>"Never! The Americans never were a match for His Majesty's well-trained
+troops. The longer the struggle endures the sooner this will be
+learned."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p><p>"Time is with us, dear. The mother country knows this."</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him. It was astonishing to her that he could be so
+transparent and so unaware of it. Really he was not clever.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that?" she asked. "Every day our lot grows worse. The
+troops perish from misery; they are badly armed; scarcely clothed; they
+need bread and many of them are without arms. Our lands lie fallow. The
+education of a generation has been neglected, a loss that can never be
+repaired. Our youths have been dragged by the thousands from their
+occupations and harvested by the war; and those who return have lost
+their vigor or have been mutilated for life."</p>
+
+<p>"You are partly right," he mused. "America lost the opportunity for
+reconciliation immediately after my victory at Saratoga. Since then, as
+you say, the land has become a waste of widows, beggars and orphans.
+Then came the French Alliance, a sacrifice of the great interests, as
+well as the religion of this country to the biased views of a proud,
+ancient, crafty and priest-ridden nation. I always thought this a
+defensive war until the French joined in the combination. Now I look
+with disfavor upon this peril to our dominion, this enemy of our faith."</p>
+
+<p>Peggy became interested immediately. She sat straight up in her chair.</p>
+
+<p>"You never spoke these thoughts to me before!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"I feared it. You are a Tory, at least at heart. And I knew that you
+would only encourage me in my manner of thought. God knows, I am unable
+to decide between my perplexities."</p>
+
+<p>"You know how General Monk decided?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p><p>"My God! He was a traitor!"</p>
+
+<p>"He restored Charles," insisted Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"And sold his soul."</p>
+
+<p>"For the Duchy of Albemarle."</p>
+
+<p>"Good God! girl, don't talk thoughts like that, I&mdash;I&mdash;&mdash; He has endured
+universal execration. It was an act of perfidy." He scowled fiercely. He
+was in a rage.</p>
+
+<p>Peggy smiled. She did not press the subject, but allowed it to drop.</p>
+
+<p>"My! How dark it has become!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>She struck a light and touched the wicks of the candles.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>Dizzy was the eminence to which General Arnold and his girl bride
+ascended! On a sudden they found themselves on the highest pinnacle&mdash;the
+one of military fame&mdash;with Gates, Lee, Wayne, Greene and many other
+distinguished generals at their feet, the other of social prestige the
+observed of all observers! For a time Arnold's caprices had been looked
+upon as only the flash and outbreak of that fiery mind which had
+directed his military genius. He attacked religion; yet in religious
+circles his name was mentioned with fondness. He lampooned Congress; yet
+he was condoned by the Whigs.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the reaction. Society flew into a rage with its idol. He had
+been worshiped with an irrational idolatry. He was censured with an
+irrational fury. In the first place the position in which he was placed
+as Military Governor required the exercise of the utmost patience and
+tact. Neither of these <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span>qualities did he possess. The order to close the
+shops caused discontent. People became incensed at the sight of a
+dictator interfering with their private life. There was thrust upon them
+in his person the very type that they were striving to expel. His manner
+of action suddenly became obnoxious.</p>
+
+<p>What was merely criticism in respect to his public life, became a
+violent passion respecting the affairs of his private life. There were
+many rumors of his intercourse with the Tory element. Brilliant
+functions were arranged, it was said, with the sole view of gaining
+their friendship and good will. He spent the major portion of his free
+time in their company, nay more, he had taken to wife the most notorious
+of their number. Small wonder was it that his sentiments on the question
+of the war were undergoing a marked alteration. The thirst of the
+political Whigs for vengeance was insatiable.</p>
+
+<p>Then he had repaired to a mansion, the most elegant seat in
+Pennsylvania, where he entertained in a style and after a manner far in
+excess of his means. A coach and four he maintained with the greatest
+ostentation. His livery and appointments were extravagant and wholly
+unbecoming an officer of a country so poor and struggling. He drove to
+town in the company of his wife and paid every attention to the
+aristocratic leaders of the city. He disdained the lot of the common
+citizen. Even his head aide-de-camp had submitted a free man to the
+indignity of fetching a barber to shave him, an act countenanced by the
+General himself in a letter of reply to the boy's father.</p>
+
+<p>His entertainments were frequent, altogether too frequent for the
+conservative instincts of the community. Upon the arrival of the French
+Ambassador M.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> Gerard, a grand banquet was tendered him, after which he
+was entertained with his entire suite for several days at Mount
+Pleasant. Foreigners were seldom absent from the mansion and members of
+Congress, the relatives of his wife, the titled gentry of Europe were
+treated with marked and lavish attention. The visit of General
+Washington was an event memorable for its display and magnificence, the
+ball alone at the City Tavern entailing a vast expenditure. With Madeira
+selling at eight hundred pounds a pipe and other things in proportion to
+the depreciation of the paper currency, the wonder was often expressed
+as to the source of so much munificence.</p>
+
+<p>It was known that General Arnold was not a man of wealth. Whatever
+fortune he had amassed had been obtained mainly through the profits
+accrued from his privateering ventures. The great estate which he now
+possessed, had been bought only a few months previous to his marriage
+out of the profits of one of his vessels, just then returning to port.
+He was continually in debt, and ruin was imminent. Yet he was living at
+the rate of five thousand pounds a year. Whence then came the funds?</p>
+
+<p>He had married a Tory wife, and presently it was discovered that among
+his bosom friends, his table companions, were to be found the enemies of
+America. Rumors began to whisper with nods and shrugs and shakings of
+the head that his wife was imparting profitable information to the
+enemy, and betimes the question was raised as to who was profiting most.
+What was more natural than that she who had been the toasted and lauded
+favorite of the British Officers when they were in possession of the
+city, should now be in communication with them in far-away New York!
+The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> seeds of suspicion and ill-will were sedulously sown&mdash;and the yield
+was bound to be luxuriant.</p>
+
+<p>So the days rolled into weeks, and the weeks clustered into months, and
+the months fell into the procession of the seasons, and in the meantime,
+Arnold and his wife passed their time in conjugal felicity and regal
+splendor. Their affection was constant, tender and uninterrupted; and
+this alone afforded him consolation and happiness; for his countrymen
+were in a bad mood with him. His wife, his home, his estate now defined
+the extent of his ambition. The world had turned against him.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AV" id="CHAPTER_AV"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>A busier man in the city of Philadelphia during the winter and spring
+season of '78 than John Anderson, would have been hard to find. For
+weeks he had applied himself with relentless energy to the work before
+him; for months he had deprived himself of the customary rounds of
+pleasure in the interests of the seemingly gigantic task allotted to
+him; until at length, for the first time, he was enabled to appreciate
+to some degree the results of his toil. It was now past Easter-tide and
+the moments were hurrying faster and faster in their haste towards the
+culmination of the conspiracy that was forming little by little in the
+heart of the community like an abscess in the body of a sick man.</p>
+
+<p>Progress had been made at New York although it was acknowledged that the
+recruiting there had fallen far short of all expectations. Still it was
+a much simpler matter to effect the formation of such a regiment where
+the work could be carried on openly and under the protection of General
+Clinton; and where no sympathizer of the colonists, however loyal, would
+dare to enter a formal protest against the proceedings. It is quite true
+that Catholics were divided there as elsewhere; for not every one lent
+his spontaneous, complete, and energetic adhesion to the cause of
+American independence. And who would dare condemn their restraint; when
+the memory of the intolerable and bitter<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> practices of the early
+patriots was recalled? They could not forget; and what was more, many
+did not want to forget.</p>
+
+<p>It was found impossible to gather in the city, now held by the enemy, a
+thousand or more men sufficient to compose a regiment. Hence it was
+necessary to draw from the neighboring colonies. Anderson had come to
+Philadelphia with this object in view and, as an aid to his work, had
+established himself immediately in the graces of the military
+authorities. Quietly, privately, secretly, he pursued his quest, seeking
+out likely individuals whom he impressed into the service of His Majesty
+with not so much as a scruple as to means, fair or foul. Blackmail he
+employed freely and the pressure of unpaid debts reaped for him a
+harvest of names.</p>
+
+<p>The currency was then worthless and the cost of living enormous. He was
+the odd individual who could boast of being free from debt, and the
+common jail and the stocks in the market place at Second and High
+Streets were tireless in meting out their punishments to the delinquent
+debtors. Anderson took royal advantage of this state of affairs, either
+by resolving the debt in favor of an enlistment in the company or by
+effecting a threatened punishment on the part of the creditor unless his
+wishes were complied with. Many recruits who otherwise would have
+rejected flatly the base proposition, were secured by such means.</p>
+
+<p>At length he had registered about an hundred names, drawn from all
+classes of the city. The services of Father Farmer had been sought as
+chaplain, but this worthy servant of God gently but firmly declined
+because of the weight of age and "several other reasons." Colonel
+Clifton was still in charge of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> regiment but the other officers were
+to be Roman Catholics and appointed by the colonels. A meeting for the
+purpose of organization would be held in the Provincial Hall in the
+course of a few weeks. Then the company would be shipped as soon as
+possible to New York for incorporation in the regiment there.</p>
+
+<p>Anderson found General Arnold a ready and effective instrument in the
+perfection of the plot. Not only had the latter supplied him with all
+manner of information, but his authority had been employed on more than
+one occasion in the matter of impressment. Whatever motives actuated the
+General were ascribed by Anderson solely to his profound dislike of
+Catholics and all things Catholic. A further incentive to the success of
+the project was furnished by the issuance of a pass by the Military
+Governor enabling a vessel to leave the port of Philadelphia, where it
+had been tied up, for New York, for the purpose of transporting to that
+city the members of the recruited company. This was, of course, a
+violation of the military code, but the affair was done so secretly that
+it was known only to Anderson and the Governor. The remote preparations
+were now completed. All was in readiness for the meeting of the
+so-called volunteers.</p>
+
+<p>Meanwhile, Marjorie had continued to be an object of interest to the
+busy Anderson, and he had paid attention to her with a marked gallantry.
+Through the late winter and early spring he had been a frequent visitor
+at her home and had often escorted her in public to the theater and
+dancing assemblies. He flattered himself that her confidence had early
+been gained and much information helpful to his scheme had been
+obtained. He had played his part well, although on one occasion, he had
+almost revealed himself; <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span>nevertheless he was completely satisfied that
+she not for a moment suspected the real purpose of his designs.</p>
+
+<p>Now he felt obliged to hold one more conference with the Military
+Governor, for it was required that he know definitely the time set for
+the vessel's departure. That was the sole obstacle to his plans, for the
+date of the assembly depended upon the day of the sailing of the
+transport. Arnold would know of its readiness; its clearance was then a
+matter of personal convenience.</p>
+
+<p>And so, this fine afternoon in early May, he resolved to direct his
+steps in the direction of Mount Pleasant where he would complete his
+plans. It was a long walk but less attention would be aroused by his
+going afoot, and so he started early. Little did he suspect, however,
+that his every move was being observed and that a pair of eyes had
+pursued him to the very park, watching him even as he ascended the great
+stone steps of the mansion.</p>
+
+<p>He lifted the brass knocker and gave two or three slight taps, and even
+as he did so the blue eyes continued to observe him.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>The dining-hall at Mount Pleasant was such as was befitting the noble
+proportions of the mansion. It adjoined the hall in opposition to the
+great drawing-room, its eastern side terminating in an ell extension
+from the hall proper where a wide easy staircase with a balustrade of
+gracefully turned spindles ascended to the second floor. It was lighted,
+not only by the fire that burned in the reredos at the northern wall,
+but also by eight cresset-lamps and as many candles set in huge silver
+candelabra on the center table.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p><p>Anderson was hungry from his long walk and ate well. A great roast
+goose reposing in a huge silver platter was brought in by the servants
+and set before them. There were vegetables of every sort, jellies,
+sweetmeats, floating islands, and a dessert of fruits, raisins and
+almonds. Madeira was drunk freely by all without any apparent
+disadvantage.</p>
+
+<p>"And how were all at home?" asked Peggy when they were seated. The
+conversation was on general topics&mdash;for the servants were coming in and
+out with the food.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw only your sister when I called with Marjorie. Mr. Shippen was
+away and Mrs. Shippen had a cold, a very slight one I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"She is susceptible to asthmatic attacks," observed the General.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite!" replied Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"She bears up remarkably. I think she has never missed a function."</p>
+
+<p>"Her will-power alone," replied Peggy. "She can surmount obstacles; she
+has never lost an opportunity."</p>
+
+<p>They lapsed into silence, occupying themselves with the delicious
+repast. Sometimes they talked of this, that and the other quite freely
+and easily&mdash;of the society news, of the presence of Miss Franks at the
+wedding, of the splendor of it all. Indeed, there was nothing to
+indicate more than a company of old-time friends.</p>
+
+<p>"I am ready to take my charges along with me," announced Anderson at
+length.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Arnold. "Later,&mdash;in the park, we shall
+treat of that."</p>
+
+<p>Then the servants came again and removed the dishes. After another
+goblet of Madeira they left the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> table, going immediately out of doors,
+for it was now dusk.</p>
+
+<p>"I can do no more with the recruiting. I have in round numbers, an
+hundred," Anderson began when they had been seated in the cypress walk.
+The moon was not yet half way to the zenith and lay a dull copper color
+in the eastern sky, partially eclipsed by the chimney of the great
+house. A solemn silence, terrifying and rife with mysterious sensations,
+seemed to pervade the place. It was a setting well fitted to shroud deep
+and dark designs. No one would dare to venture near.</p>
+
+<p>"You have done well. Egad! I know of none who could have done better."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet it was no easy task, I assure you. They thrill with the very spirit
+of rebellion. Cadwalader will never forgive me, and will haunt me when
+he dies."</p>
+
+<p>"You got him?" Arnold asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I did. But I had to take proceedings against him which portended the
+stocks. I promised him a wheelbarrow to be pushed every day in the
+resolution of his debt. Only when I had the jailer at hand did he
+reconsider. The debt has been paid, and he has already signed."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you got him. He's a Papist, isn't he?" inquired Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"He is, and a staunch one at that," replied her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Let's get down to business," interrupted Anderson. "How soon may your
+vessel sail?"</p>
+
+<p>"This week, or the early part of next," replied Arnold. "I drew the pass
+three weeks ago. With the time for clearance and sailing allowed, she
+should be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> ready now. You had better make an allowance of a week."</p>
+
+<p>"How about the crew?"</p>
+
+<p>"They can be depended upon. They are beholden to her owner. Have no
+fears concerning them."</p>
+
+<p>"How soon may she clear?"</p>
+
+<p>He was persistent in this.</p>
+
+<p>"In a few days. Tomorrow if pressed."</p>
+
+<p>"I want to get through with this business as soon as I can and get out
+of this town. It may get too hot for me. If I had that meeting off my
+mind and the men on board bound for New York I would enjoy greater
+repose."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you were never apprehensive," remarked Peggy. "With your
+composure and gallantry the world would judge that cares set lightly
+upon your head."</p>
+
+<p>"Happy is he who can abandon everything with which his conscience is
+burdened. I have enjoyed no peace of soul for years and I see an
+untimely end."</p>
+
+<p>"Be not so melancholy," observed Arnold. "My boy, the future and the
+world lie before you."</p>
+
+<p>"Like a yawning abyss," was the grave reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! spare us your terrible verdicts," cried Peggy with a smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe that I should have crushed with my scorn the philosopher who
+first uttered this terrible but profoundly true thought," said Anderson.
+"'Prudence is the first thing to forsake the wretched!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you been imprudent?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I did find a charm in my escapades. At first I tingled with fear, but I
+gradually laid aside that cloak of suspicion which guards safety, and
+stalked about naked. A despicable contempt arises from an unreserved
+intimacy. We grow bolder with our efforts."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p><p>"What is success?" asked Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>Their mood was heavy; their tone morose. A sadness had settled upon them
+like the blanket of the night. Only the moon climbing into the heavens
+radiated glory.</p>
+
+<p>"Come! Away with those dismal topics!" exclaimed the General. "This is
+the time for rejoicing."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you rejoice?" inquired the visitor.</p>
+
+<p>"I, too, should be happy, but I fear, alas, I am not. My people give me
+no peace."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not render your country a lasting service?"</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"By performing a heroic deed that will once for all put an end to this
+unseemly conflict."</p>
+
+<p>"Never! I have been shattered twice for my efforts. I am done with
+active field duty."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think of that," Anderson assured him.</p>
+
+<p>"Of what, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know that the mother country had already offered conciliation. The
+colonies shall have an American Parliament composed of two chambers; all
+the members to be Americans by birth, and those of the upper chamber to
+have the same title, the same rank, as those of the House of Lords in
+England."</p>
+
+<p>"What? A Marquis of Pennsylvania, a Duke of Massachusetts Bay?" he
+laughed aloud at this.</p>
+
+<p>"No less fitting than the Duke of Albemarle."</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you mention him?" Arnold inquired immediately. A thought flashed
+before his mind. Had Peggy and this man conversed on that point?</p>
+
+<p>"He simply came into my mind. Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Nothing. Continue."</p>
+
+<p>"As I was saying, all laws, and especially tax laws, shall be the work
+of this legislature, with the signature<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> of the Viceroy. They shall
+enjoy in every relation the advantage of the best government. They
+shall, if necessary, be supported by all the naval and military force of
+England, without being exposed to the dangers or subjected to the taxes
+from which such a military state is inseparable."</p>
+
+<p>"But how? What can I do that I have not already done?"</p>
+
+<p>"You have the courage, you have the ingenuity to render that important
+service. Why allow your countrymen to shed more blood when the enemy is
+willing to grant all you are fighting for? You can save them from
+anarchy. You can save them from the factions of Congress."</p>
+
+<p>"God knows how ardently I desire such a consummation," breathed the
+Governor.</p>
+
+<p>"I am confident that he would perform any act, however heroic or signal,
+to benefit the cause of his country," remarked Peggy with deliberate
+emphasis.</p>
+
+<p>"Name it. What shall I do?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Act the part of General Monk in history," announced Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>Arnold recoiled. He could not believe his ears. Then the awful truth
+dawned upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"Is this your work?" he turned to Peggy fiercely.</p>
+
+<p>"On my honor, I never thought of it." His wife was frightened at his
+sudden change of manner.</p>
+
+<p>There was silence. The trio sat in thought, one awaiting the other to
+speak the first word.</p>
+
+<p>"Never," blurted Arnold. "Never, so long as I wear this uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet the world resounds with his praises, for he performed a
+disinterested and humane act."</p>
+
+<p>"A treacherous and cowardly act!"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p><p>"Listen, I shall confide in you. If you would but exert your influence
+in favor of an amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the
+colonies and the mother country, you might command ten thousand guineas
+and the best post in the service of the government."</p>
+
+<p>"Would that mean a peerage?" asked Peggy suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>She stood up and strutted in a pompous and stately manner before them;
+then she turned and courtesied before her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Your Grace, the carriage waits without. The Duchess is already in
+waiting," she announced with a sweeping gesture.</p>
+
+<p>He scowled at her but did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Clive saved the British Empire in India and you can save the colonies,"
+insisted Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"Would not a proud position at court, the comfortable income of a royal
+estate, the possession of a peerage on home soil more than reward a man
+as was the case with General Monk?" challenged Peggy, with a flash of
+sudden anger.</p>
+
+<p>"And leave my country in its hour of need," he finished the sentence for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Your country!" she taunted. "What has your country done for you? The
+empty honors you have gained were wrung from her. The battle scars you
+bear with you were treated with ingratitude. You were deprived of your
+due honors of command. Even now you are attacked and hounded from every
+angle. Your country! Pooh! A scornful mistress!"</p>
+
+<p>She sat down and folded her arms, looking fiercely into the dark.</p>
+
+<p>It is strange how human nature could be touched by<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> so small affairs.
+The war of continents meant very little to her imagination. Certainly
+the parallel was not perfect; but it seemed to her to fit.</p>
+
+<p>He looked around slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"You took me for what I am," he said to her. "I gave you prestige,
+wealth, happiness. But I have promised my life to my country if she
+requires it and I shall never withdraw that promise while I live. Better
+the grave of the meanest citizen than the mausoleum of a traitor."</p>
+
+<p>"But think of your country!" insisted Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson," was the reply, "I know the needs of the country and I know
+deeply my own grievances. Suppose I yield to your suggestions and
+Britain fails,"&mdash;he paused as if to measure the consequences. "I shall
+be doomed. I shall be called a bigot. My children will hate me."</p>
+
+<p>He seemed to waver. His earlier enthusiasm apparently diminished before
+their attack.</p>
+
+<p>"But," continued Anderson, "with your aid Britain cannot fail. And
+remember how England rewards those who render her great and signal
+services. Look at the majestic column at Blenheim Palace reared to the
+memory of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. Contrast with it what
+Peggy has just said, the ingratitude, the injustice, the meanness, with
+which Congress has treated you."</p>
+
+<p>"Must the end justify the means?" he mused. "Can you continue to urge me
+to duplicate the treachery of Churchill, who can never be forgiven for
+his treason? Whatever else he may have achieved, you must remember he
+was first and last a traitor."</p>
+
+<p>"He was doubly a traitor, if you are pleased to so stigmatize him. He
+first betrayed his benefactor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> James, to ally himself with the Prince
+of Orange; and then, on the pretext of remorse, broke faith with
+William; acted the part of a spy in his court and camp; offered to
+corrupt his troops and lead them over to James; and still all was
+forgotten in the real service which he rendered to his country, and his
+name has gone into history&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He was interrupted by a sharp sound, as if some one had stepped upon a
+branch or a twig, causing it to snap beneath his feet. On the instant,
+Anderson was upon his feet, his hand feeling instinctively for his
+pistol.</p>
+
+<p>"We are betrayed," he whispered. "There is a spy here."</p>
+
+<p>All had arisen in silence and were peering into the blackness of the
+night whence the sound apparently came. Anderson thought he saw a figure
+emerge from behind a tree far off in the distance and he immediately
+gave chase, opening fire as he did so. Several times he fired into the
+dark space before him, for it was bristling with shade, notwithstanding
+the obscure light of the moon. As he covered the wide area between him
+and the river, the lithe form of a man emerged from the wooded area and
+disappeared down the incline which led to the water. Nearing the bank he
+heard distinctly the splash of the body and he fired again into the spot
+whence the noise arose. The waters were still in commotion when he
+reached them, but there was no one to be found; nothing save the gentle
+undulation of the surface as it closed over its burden, and gradually
+became placid under the soft stillness of the night. After several
+minutes of intense vigilance, he slowly retraced his steps.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"The river has swallowed him," he exclaimed as he neared Arnold and
+Peggy, who were standing quite motionless at the side of the settees.</p>
+
+<p>"Who was it?" the General asked eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not see him. He disappeared into the river. I heard the splash of
+his dive and fired several times in its direction, but saw no one."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he swim it?"</p>
+
+<p>"No! I would have seen him. The water was unruffled except for the
+disturbance caused by his dive. The poor devil must have sunk to the
+bottom. Perhaps one of my shots took effect."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't like this," muttered Arnold. "I would not have that
+conversation overheard for the crown of England. An enemy was near. I
+hope to God he is in the bottom of the river."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, I may have hit him. I was no more than fifty yards away."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have the bed dragged in the morning. I could not rest without
+finding him. His identity must be learned."</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the settees, they set off in the direction of the house,
+entering by the rear door. The servants were already in alarm over the
+shooting and were standing in a group behind the threshold motionless
+with awe. Peggy paused to assure them of their safety, narrating briefly
+the cause of the disturbance, together with the probable fate of the
+spy. She rejoined her husband and his guest in the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder who the intruder was?" Arnold muttered. There was a look of
+worry and anxiety on his face. His fingers nervously locked and
+interlocked,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> and the next moment grasped his chin and rubbed his cheek.
+He put his foot upon the stool and took it down again. Then he sat
+forward in his chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Reed is behind this," he ejaculated. "You will find out that I am
+right. Reed has done this, or has sent one of his lieutenants. Damn him!
+He has hounded me."</p>
+
+<p>"I may have been tracked. Perhaps it was I who was sought. My late
+movements might have created suspicion, and it is possible that I was
+shadowed here."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Anderson. No! It was not you they were seeking. It is I, I tell
+you. Reed has been watching me like a sharpshooter from the day I
+arrived. He has been the author of the rumors which you have heard about
+town, and he would risk his life to be enabled to establish a serious
+charge against me. I am sure of it. Reed is behind this; Reed and the
+City Council."</p>
+
+<p>"It was a nimble form&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Did you say you thought you hit him?" he asked nervously, seeking some
+source of comfort and assurance.</p>
+
+<p>"As I live, I hit him," Anderson promised him. "Else I would have
+discovered him in the act of swimming. He is in the bottom of the
+river."</p>
+
+<p>"That's good, damn him. Oh! If it were but Reed himself! He haunts me."</p>
+
+<p>"He would not haunt you did you but remove yourself from here,"
+volunteered Peggy.</p>
+
+<p>"I know it. I know it," he repeated. "But how can I?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suggested one avenue to you," proposed Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"Which?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span></p><p>He awaited the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Via England."</p>
+
+<p>His face glared with a livid red. He brought his fist high above his
+head.</p>
+
+<p>"By heavens!" he roared. "I won't hear that again. I won't listen to it,
+I tell you. I'm afraid to do it. I cannot do it. I cannot."</p>
+
+<p>He shook his head as he slowly repeated the words.</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me," Anderson pleaded, "I intended no harm. I apologize most
+sincerely for my impertinence. It will not happen again, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"That will do. Drop it at that."</p>
+
+<p>"The vessel will be ready next week? The meeting, then, can take place a
+week from Thursday."</p>
+
+<p>"Undoubtedly."</p>
+
+<p>"You will assure me of your interest?"</p>
+
+<p>He was on the point of going. Though he had conquered, still, he did not
+know that he had conquered. He believed, as he turned and faced his
+friend for the last time in Mount Pleasant, that his mind was fully made
+up and that he had decided for all time in favor of the cause, at the
+sacrifice of himself.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do what I can," Arnold whispered, "but no more."</p>
+
+<p>He parted from them at the threshold.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AVI" id="CHAPTER_AVI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"I have always contended, Griff, that a bigot and a patriot are
+incompatible," remarked Stephen as he sat on the side of his bed, and
+looked across the room and out into the sunlit street beyond.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that something you have just discovered?" answered Sergeant Griffin
+without taking his eyes from the newspaper before him. He was seated by
+the window, musing the morning news, his curved pipe hanging idle from
+his mouth, from which incipient clouds of smoke lazily issued and as
+lazily climbed upward and vanished through the open casement into
+threads of nothingness.</p>
+
+<p>"No," was the reply, "but I have come to the conclusion that the
+philosophy of religious prejudice cannot be harmonized with true
+patriotism. They stand against each other as night and day. The one
+necessarily excludes the other."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Captain," the sergeant reasoned, pointing towards Stephen
+with the stem of his pipe, "a hard shell and a fool are somewhat alike;
+one won't reason; the other can't."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess you're right," Stephen laughed. "But love of country and love
+of one's neighbor should be synonymous. This I have found by actual
+experience to be almost a truism."</p>
+
+<p>He was idling about the room gathering wearing<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span> apparel from the closets
+and drawers, pausing for a moment to feel a pile of wet clothing that
+lay across the back of a straight chair.</p>
+
+<p>"You must have fallen overboard last night," observed the sergeant.</p>
+
+<p>"I didn't fall, Griff; I jumped."</p>
+
+<p>"And let me tell you, Griff," Stephen continued, "Arnold has become one
+of the most dangerous men in the whole American Army."</p>
+
+<p>He was dressing quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"And you discovered that, too?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am certain of it, now."</p>
+
+<p>"That is more like it. I don't suppose you ever had any doubts about it.
+Now you have the facts, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have some of them; not all. But I have enough to court-martial him."</p>
+
+<p>"And you got them last night?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did."</p>
+
+<p>"And got wet, too?"</p>
+
+<p>"I almost got killed," was the grave response.</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson shot at me."</p>
+
+<p>"Was he with you, also?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. After me."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, let us hear it. Where were you?"</p>
+
+<p>"At Mount Pleasant."</p>
+
+<p>"With Arnold and Anderson?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But they did not know it. I shadowed Anderson to the house and lay
+concealed in the park. In the evening they came into the park, that is,
+Arnold and Peggy and Anderson."</p>
+
+<p>"And they discovered you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think they did not. I was unfortunate enough to break a branch
+beneath my foot. They heard it. Of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> course, I was obliged to leave
+hurriedly, but Anderson must have seen me running. The distance was too
+great to allow him to recognize me. Then, again, I was not in uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"And he shot at you, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"He did, but the shots went wide. I decided the river was the safest
+course, so I headed for that and dived in. I believe I was fortunate in
+attempting to swim under water; this I did as long as I could hold my
+breath. When I arose, I allowed myself to float close to the shore along
+with the current until I had moved far down the river. After that I lost
+all sight of him."</p>
+
+<p>He was now dressed in his military uniform and looked little exhausted
+from his experience of the night before, notwithstanding the fact that
+he had enjoyed but a few hours' sleep. Still, it was past the hour of
+ten, and he could tell from the appearance of the street that the sun
+was already high in the heavens. He went to the window and looked out at
+the citizens hurrying to and fro about their several errands. From an
+open window directly across the way resounded the familiar strain of
+"Yankee Doodle" drawn from a violin by a poor but extremely ambitious
+musician. He stood for a minute to listen.</p>
+
+<p>"There are a few of them in the colonies," he remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"I would there were one less," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen turned from the window.</p>
+
+<p>"We have some work ahead of us, Griff," he said after a long pause. "The
+plot is about to sizzle. Are you ready?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. When do you want me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell you now. I have learned that the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> work of recruiting is
+about finished and that the organization will take place some time next
+week. The company will leave the following day for New York on a vessel
+for which Arnold has already issued a pass."</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Arnold," he repeated. "He has been in this scheme from the start.
+Remember that note I told you about? I have watched him carefully since
+then, awaiting just such a move. I can have him court-martialed for
+this."</p>
+
+<p>"For this pass?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. That is a violation of Section Eighteen of the Fifth Article
+of War."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant whistled.</p>
+
+<p>"And I am going to this meeting."</p>
+
+<p>"You are going?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"How?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I do not know. But I shall find a way. They have forced Jim
+Cadwalader into the company."</p>
+
+<p>"Jim?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I learned that last night. Today I mean to see Jim to learn the
+particulars. After that we shall be in a position to decide further. You
+will be here when I return?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I shall stay here."</p>
+
+<p>"I won't go until late this afternoon. Until then keep your eye open."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir," he replied, saluting.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>When Stephen had presented himself that afternoon at Jim Cadwalader's
+modest home, he had almost<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> persuaded himself that all would not be
+well. That the members of the Catholic regiment, whom Anderson boasted
+had totaled nearly an hundred, could so easily be dissuaded from their
+original purpose, he thought highly improbable. He was well aware that
+some of his co-religionists had been subject to British official or
+personal influence; that other some were vehemently opposed to the many
+outrages which had been committed and condoned in the name of Liberty;
+that others still were not unmindful of the spirit of hostility
+displayed by the Colonists during the early days, and had now refused
+for that reason to take sides with their intolerant neighbors in their
+struggle for Independence. Hence it was quite true that many Catholics
+were loyal to the mother country, more loyal, in fact, than they were to
+the principles of American Independence and the land of their birth.
+These, he feared, might have composed the bulk of the recruits and these
+might be the less easily dissuaded. On the other hand, he was satisfied
+that many who were unwilling to barter their allegiance had been
+constrained to yield. If the complexion of the regiment was of the
+latter variety, all would be well. His misgivings were not without
+foundation.</p>
+
+<p>He knocked upon the small white door of Jim's house and inquired of Mrs.
+Cadwalader if he might see her husband. Jim was at the door even as he
+spoke, and grasped his hand warmly, exchanging the greetings of the day.
+He then led him to the chairs under the great tree.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see you on a matter of great importance," Stephen said with
+no further delay. "Tell me about Mr. Anderson."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess ther' ain't much t' tell," Jim replied.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p><p>"You have held conference with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"'Twas him thet held it; not me."</p>
+
+<p>"About the Regiment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aye!"</p>
+
+<p>"Have you signed your name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hed t'."</p>
+
+<p>He was all in a fever, for his manner and his hesitation indicated it.</p>
+
+<p>"When do they meet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thursda' next."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson hisself jest told me."</p>
+
+<p>"He has been here already?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ye-eh, this aft'rnoon."</p>
+
+<p>He looked down upon the ground, considering.</p>
+
+<p>"Where do they meet?"</p>
+
+<p>"Th' basement o' th' Baptist Church."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, Jim," Stephen asked quietly. "Why did you enlist in that
+company?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hed t', I told ye."</p>
+
+<p>"Were you compelled to?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was."</p>
+
+<p>And then he told him of the number of debts which beset him, and the
+starvation which was beginning to prick him. He told of the first visit
+of Anderson and his offer of four pounds to every volunteer in the new
+regiment of Catholic soldiers. He declared that he had refused
+absolutely to take part in any disloyal act, however great might be the
+reward, and had said that he preferred to starve until the colonists had
+obtained their rights. He then told of Anderson's second visit, during
+which he offered to relieve him of all financial obligations on
+condition that he would sign with him; which offer he again refused. And
+finally he related<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> how he was threatened with imprisonment for his
+indebtedness, and was actually served with the papers of arrest and
+confinement in the stocks unless his signature was given, and how he was
+at length obliged to yield and sign over the allegiance.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen listened intently throughout it all, oddly studying the face of
+his companion, reading into his very soul as he spoke. He was satisfied
+now with Cadwalader's story.</p>
+
+<p>"Jim," he said at length. "You do not want to join this regiment?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, sir!" he exclaimed aloud. "Not a bit uv it."</p>
+
+<p>"If I promise to assist you to escape from this man, will you lend me
+your help?"</p>
+
+<p>"Will I? Enythin' y' ask, sir."</p>
+
+<p>His eyes brightened with manifest ardor.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to go to that meeting, and I want you to let me take your
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure, y' ken."</p>
+
+<p>"And I want to borrow your clothes."</p>
+
+<p>"I ain't got much," observed Jim, extending his hands and looking down
+at his clothing, "but what I hev, is yours."</p>
+
+<p>"And I want you to be in the vicinity of the building to join in any
+agitation which may result against Mr. Anderson."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do thet, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, if we fail it may go hard with us. A crowd is an uncertain
+element to deal with, you realize. But it is our only chance. Will you
+take it?"</p>
+
+<p>"O' course, I'll take it. I'll do enythin' y' say, enythin'."</p>
+
+<p>"And Jim! You know of many so-called members of that company who have
+been impressed in a manner<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> similar to yours and who, very likely, are
+of the same state of mind as you."</p>
+
+<p>"I know meny, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good! Can you not move among them and acquaint them secretly with
+what I have just told you? Secure their co&ouml;peration for me so that, when
+the moment comes, I may depend upon them for support. Urge them, too, to
+join in whatever demonstration may be made against the project."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll do thet, sir, and y' may depend 'n me fur it."</p>
+
+<p>"You say Thursday night? Keep me informed of any further developments.
+At any rate, I shall see you before then. Remember, however," he
+cautioned, "what I have just confided to you must be kept with the
+utmost secrecy."</p>
+
+<p>He raised his hand high above his head and stood up.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope t' God I die&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind swearing," interrupted Stephen, pulling him back again into
+his chair. "Simply be on your guard, that is all."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right to come back," he said; "you should have persevered in
+your resistance."</p>
+
+<p>"I couldn't help it, could I? I was made t'."</p>
+
+<p>"We become vigorous under persecution," answered Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sorry."</p>
+
+<p>"Well then&mdash;tell me. Do you know aught of this Mr. Anderson?"</p>
+
+<p>He stared at him with a questioning look. He was completely bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>"Thet I don't. Why? What&mdash;what could I know?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span></p><p>"I mean do you know who he is?"</p>
+
+<p>He sat up.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I never thought o' him. He seem'd c'rrect 'nough, I thought.
+Marj'rie brought 'im here, I think."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen set his teeth.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie?" he repeated. "Are you sure of that?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"When was this?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's a good time now. I jest can't r'member."</p>
+
+<p>"Did she know of his purpose?"</p>
+
+<p>He paused as if he would say more, but dared not.</p>
+
+<p>"Thet I can't say. If I r'member c'rrectly she kept herself wid th' old
+lady."</p>
+
+<p>"How often did she accompany him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Just thet once."</p>
+
+<p>"You mean she simply made you acquainted with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>A light began to glimmer in Stephen's mind, and gradually the truth
+began to dawn upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"In her presence, I presume, the conversation was more or less general.
+He alluded to the scheme which was uppermost in his mind only secretly
+with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thet wuz all, sir."</p>
+
+<p>He knew well enough now what his friend meant, though nothing of the
+details, and from the uncertainty and the apprehension of his manner he
+judged that there was much of which he was still in the dark. Anderson
+had come to Jim with the girl to secure an advantageous introduction;
+after that he had no immediate need of her company. He was of the
+opinion that she was entirely ignorant of the man's character and
+motives, although she was unwittingly an <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span>important instrument in his
+hands. Stephen longed to reveal the truth of the situation to her, but
+dared not; at any rate, thought he, not until the proper time came. Then
+she would be enabled to appreciate for herself the trend of the whole
+affair.</p>
+
+<p>"Can I ask ye," inquired Jim in a voice that indicated timidity, "will
+this affair&mdash;I mean, d'ye s'ppse this thing 'll bring us t' eny harm, 'r
+thet they'll be a disorder?"</p>
+
+<p>Stephen's eyes danced with excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"Do they observe the courtesies of the law? If it comes to the worst,
+yes,&mdash;there will be a scene and the grandest scene in which a villain
+ever participated."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie entering through the gate posts immediately commanded their
+attention.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"I should be happy to be permitted to accompany you home," Stephen
+whispered to her at a moment when they chanced to be alone.</p>
+
+<p>"I should be happy to have you," was the soft response.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>"You look well," she said to him after they had made their adieus to the
+Cadwaladers and begun their walk together down the street.</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes twinkled, and a pretty smile stole across her face.</p>
+
+<p>"I am as tired as I can be. I have endured some trying experiences."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you not leave here and take a rest? I fear that you will overtax
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p><p>He turned and looked seriously at her.</p>
+
+<p>"Honestly?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I mean it. Do you know that I have allowed no day to pass without
+praying for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"To know that, and to hear you say it is worth a series of adventures.
+But, really, I could not think of leaving here now; not for another
+fortnight at least. The moments are too critical."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you still engaged in that pressing business?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"For your success in that I have also prayed."</p>
+
+<p>She was constant after all, he thought. Still he wondered if she could
+be sincere in her protestations, and at the same time remain true to
+Anderson. For he really believed that she had been deceived by his
+apparent infatuation.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you know that Jim has been ensnared?" he asked suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Jim? No.... I,&mdash;&mdash;What has happened?"</p>
+
+<p>She was genuinely surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"He has enlisted in the regiment."</p>
+
+<p>"Has he forsworn?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet. But he has signed the papers of enlistment."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry, very sorry." Then after a pause: "It was I who brought
+Anderson to Jim's house, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I know."</p>
+
+<p>"But I must confess that I did not know the nature of his errand. I,
+myself, was seeking an advantage."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter. It may eventually redound to our credit."</p>
+
+<p>"I regret exceedingly of having been the occasion of Jim's misfortune."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span></p><p>Her eyes were cast down, her head bent forward as she walked in what
+one might characterize a meditative mood.</p>
+
+<p>"I, too, am sorry. But there are others."</p>
+
+<p>"Many?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I do not know. Later I shall tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"And why not now?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot."</p>
+
+<p>It was a troublesome situation in which the two found themselves. Here
+were two souls who loved each other greatly, yet without being able to
+arrive at a mutual understanding on the subject. They were separated by
+a filmy veil. The girl, naturally frank and unreserved, was intimidated
+by the restrained and melancholy mien of her companion. Yet she felt
+constrained to speak lest deception might be charged against her.
+Stephen, troubled in his own mind over the supposed unfavorable
+condition of affairs, skeptical of the affections of his erstwhile
+confidante, felt, too, a like necessity to be open and explain all.</p>
+
+<p>So they walked for a time, he thinking, and she waiting for him to
+speak.</p>
+
+<p>"For two reasons I cannot tell you," he went on. "First, the nature of
+the work is so obscure and so incomplete that I could give you no
+logical nor concise account of what I am doing. As a matter of fact, I,
+myself, am still wandering in a sort of maze. The other reason is that I
+have taken the greatest care to say no word in any way derogatory to the
+character of Mr. Anderson."</p>
+
+<p>"You wouldn't do that."</p>
+
+<p>"That's just it. I should not want to be the cause of your forming an
+opinion one way or the other <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>concerning him. I would much prefer you to
+discover and to decide for yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"That is charity."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps!"</p>
+
+<p>"And tact."</p>
+
+<p>She peeped at him, her lips parted in a merry smile. Evidently she was
+in a flippant mood.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be most unfair to him were I to establish a prejudice in your
+mind against him."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you have already disapproved of my friendship with him."</p>
+
+<p>"I have, as I already have told you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yet you have never told me the reason," she reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot."</p>
+
+<p>He shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>For he would not wound her feelings for the world; and still it pained
+him to be compelled to leave her in a state bordering on perplexity, not
+to say bewilderment, as a result of his strange silence. A delicate
+subject requires a deft hand, and he sensed only too keenly his
+impotency in this respect. He, therefore, thought it best to avoid as
+much as possible any attempts at explanation, at least for the present.</p>
+
+<p>Furthermore, he was entirely ignorant of her opinion of Anderson. Of
+course, he would have given worlds to know this. But there seemed no
+reasonable hope that that craving would be satisfied. He was persuaded
+that the man had made a most favorable impression upon her, and if that
+were true, he knew that it were fruitless to continue further, for
+impressions once made are not easily obliterated. Poor girl! he thought.
+She had seen only his best side; just that amount of good in a bad man
+that makes him <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>dangerous,&mdash;just that amount of interest which often
+makes the cleverest person of a dullard.</p>
+
+<p>Hence she was still an enigma. As far as he was concerned, however,
+there had been little or no variation in his attachment to her. She was
+ever the same interesting, lovely, tender, noble being; complete in her
+own virtues, indispensable to his own happiness. Perhaps he had been
+mistaken in his analysis of her; but no,&mdash;very likely she did care for
+the other man, or at any rate was beginning to find herself in that
+unfortunate state&mdash;fortunate, indeed, for Anderson, but unfortunate for
+him.</p>
+
+<p>For this reason, more than for any other, he had desisted from saying
+anything that might have lessened Anderson in her regard. It would be
+most unfair to interfere with her freedom of choice. When the facts of
+the case were revealed in all their fullness, he felt certain that she
+would repent of her infatuation, if he might be permitted to so term her
+condition. It seemed best to him to await developments before further
+pressing his suit.</p>
+
+<p>"Stephen," she said at length. "What are you thinking of me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I&mdash;Why?&mdash;That is a sudden question. Do you mean complimentary or
+critical?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean this. Have you misjudged my relations with John Anderson?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have thought in my mind&mdash;&mdash;" he began, and stopped.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie started. The voice was quiet enough but significant in tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Please tell me," she pleaded. "I must know."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I have thought that you have been unusually attentive to him."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p><p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And that, perhaps, you do care for him,&mdash;just a little."</p>
+
+<p>There! It was out. She had guessed aright.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought as much," she said quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then why did you ask me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Listen," she began. "Do you recall the night you asked me to be of some
+service to you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perfectly."</p>
+
+<p>"I have thought over that subject long and often. I wondered wherein
+that service could lie. During the night of Peggy's affair it dawned
+upon me that this stranger to whom I was presented, might be more artful
+than honest. I decided to form his acquaintance so that I might learn
+his identity, together with his mission in the city. I cherished the
+ambition of drawing certain information from him; and this I felt could
+be accomplished only by an assumed intimacy with him."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen stopped suddenly. His whole person was tense and magnetic as he
+stared at her.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Truly. I read his character from the first. His critical attitude
+displeased me. But I had to pretend. I had to."</p>
+
+<p>"Please! Please forgive me." He turned and seized suddenly both her
+hands. "I thought,&mdash;I thought,&mdash;I cannot say it. Won't you forgive me?"</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes dropped. She freed her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I tricked you as well," she exclaimed with a laugh.</p>
+
+<p>"And you mean it? I am made very happy today, happier than words can
+express. What loyalty! You<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span> have been helping me all the time and I
+never knew it. Why did you not tell me this before?"</p>
+
+<p>"You never gave me leave. I wanted to talk to you so much, and you
+seemed to forbid me.... I prayed for an opportunity, and none came."</p>
+
+<p>"I am very sorry."</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson interested me only in this,&mdash;he came into our society for a
+very definite purpose, the nature of which I was most desirous of
+learning. I know now that he is not of our faith, although he pretends
+to be. He is not of French extraction, yet he would lead one to assume
+that he was. He is a British officer and actively engaged in the service
+of the enemy. At present the recruiting of the proposed regiment of
+Catholic Volunteers for service with the enemy is his immediate work. He
+hopes to find many displeased and disloyal members of our kind. Them he
+would incorporate into a company of deserters."</p>
+
+<p>"You have learned that from him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Aye! And more. General Arnold has been initiated into the scheme. I do
+not know what to think except that he has yielded to some influence. His
+antipathy toward us would require none, nevertheless I feel that some
+undue pressure has been brought to bear upon him."</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. At any rate he will bear watching. I think he is about
+to ask for a more important command."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen then told her of his adventures, relating to her wholly and
+candidly the details of his suspicions, together with his plan for the
+future. Throughout it all she listened with attention, so much
+interested that she was scarce aware that they were crossing the wide<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span>
+road before her own home. Her eyes had been about her everywhere as they
+walked, yet they had failed to perceive anything.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you come in?" she asked. "You are almost a stranger here now."</p>
+
+<p>"I would like to more than I can tell you; but truly I have business
+before me which is pressing. Pardon me just once more, please."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother would be pleased to see you, you know," she insisted.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like, indeed, to see your mother. I shall stop to see her,
+just to inquire for her."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you come when this terrible business is completed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gladly. Let us say,&mdash;next week. Perhaps you might be pleased to come
+canoeing with me for the space of an afternoon?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should be delighted. Next week?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Next week. I shall let you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Here is mother, now."</p>
+
+<p>He went in and shook her hand, inquiring diligently concerning her.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>As Stephen walked away from the home of his beloved, ruminating over the
+strange disclosures of the day and how satisfactory and gratifying they
+were to him, his state of mind was such that he was eager for the
+completion of the more serious business that was impending so that he
+might return to her who had flooded his soul with new and sudden
+delight. Never was he more buoyant or cheerful. He was cheerful,
+notwithstanding his remorse.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p><p>For he did chide himself over his absurd stupidity. He should have
+known her better than to have entertained, for even a passing moment, a
+thought of her inconstancy, and that he should have so misjudged
+her,&mdash;her whom he himself would have selected from among his host of
+acquaintances as the one best fitted for the office assumed,&mdash;disturbed
+him not a little. His own unworthiness filled him with shame. Why did he
+question her?</p>
+
+<p>And yet he would have given his own life to make her happy, he who was
+quietly allowing her to vanish out of it. He tried to explain his
+fallacy. First of all, the trend of circumstances was decidedly against
+him. There was his arrest and subsequent trial, days when he had longed
+to be at her side to pursue the advantages already gained. Then there
+were the days of his absence from town, the long solid weeks spent in
+trailing Anderson, and in meeting those who had been approached by him
+in the matter of the recruiting. It was well nigh impossible, during
+this time, to seize a moment for pleasure, precious moments during which
+Anderson, as he thought, had been making favorable progress both with
+his suit and with his sinister work. If Marjorie had forgotten him
+quite, Stephen knew that he alone was responsible. Him she had seen but
+seldom; Anderson was ever at her side. No girl should be put to this
+test. It was too exacting.</p>
+
+<p>Despite his appreciation of these facts, his soul had been seized with a
+very great anguish over the thought of his lost prize; and if he had
+failed to conceal his feelings in her presence, it was due to the fact
+that his sensitive nature was not equal to the strain imposed upon it.
+Who can imagine the great joy that now filled his heart to overflowing
+as a result of his <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>conversation today, when he learned from her own
+lips that throughout it all she had been steadfast and true to him
+alone? His great regard for her was increased immeasurably. Her
+character had been put to the test, and she had emerged more beautiful,
+more radiant, more steadfast than before.</p>
+
+<p>This new analysis led him to a very clear decision. First of all he
+would defeat the cunning Anderson at his own game; then he would rescue
+his countrymen from their unfortunate and precarious condition; and,
+finally, he would return to Marjorie to claim his reward. Altogether he
+had spent an advantageous and a delightful afternoon. He was ready to
+enter the meeting house with renewed energy.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AVII" id="CHAPTER_AVII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>The hall was very ordinary within. Small in proportion to its great high
+ceiling, bleak in its white-washed walls and scantily covered floor,
+oppressive from its damp, stifling air and poor ventilation, it gave
+every indication of the state of disuse into which it had fallen. It was
+no more than an anteroom to the vestry of the church, though quite
+detached from it, yet one could almost feel through the stout south wall
+the impenetrable weight of darkness which had settled down within the
+great building beyond. The gloomy shadows had penetrated here, too, for
+although the antechamber contained a half dozen windows, they were
+shuttered and barred against every hue of twilight from the outside. The
+very atmosphere was indicative of the sinister nature of the business at
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>To the front of the room a small platform stood surmounted by a table,
+surrounded by chairs. Several men occupied these, interested in a
+conversation, somewhat subdued in its tone and manner. The chairs,
+settees, and benches throughout the rest of the room, were being filled
+by the so-called volunteers, who entered and took their places with an
+air of wonder and indecision. Already two-thirds of the seats were
+taken, and every face turned and re-turned to the door at every
+footfall.</p>
+
+<p>The small door to the side was, of course, barred;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> but, in response to
+the slightest knock, it was opened by an attendant, assigned for that
+purpose. Names were asked and the cards of admission were collected with
+a certain formality before the aspirant gained admittance. There was no
+introduction, no hurry, no excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"What's your name?" the man at the door was heard to say to one who
+already had tapped for admittance.</p>
+
+<p>"Cadwalader," was the reply. "James Cadwalader."</p>
+
+<p>"Got your card?"</p>
+
+<p>There was no response, only the production of a small white card.</p>
+
+<p>A strong, athletic individual, clad in a checked shirt and a red flannel
+jacket, a leathern apron, and a pair of yellow buckskin breeches,
+entered and stood for a moment looking about the hall. His eyes fell
+upon the group gathered around the table at the forward end of the room.
+Two of them he recognized, Colonel Clifton and John Anderson, the latter
+with his back to the audience. There were many familiar faces in the
+chairs throughout the room, some of whom had expected him, and
+accordingly gave him a slight recognition. Slowly, and in a manifestly
+indifferent manner, he made his way to the front of the chairs where he
+seated himself, and listened sharply to the little group conversing upon
+the platform until he had satisfied himself that there was nothing of
+importance under discussion.</p>
+
+<p>The room was filling rapidly. It was one of those mixed assemblies
+wherein one could discern many states of mind written upon the faces of
+those present. Some wore the appearance of contentment and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span>composure;
+some laughed and talked in a purely disinterested and indifferent
+manner; others looked the picture of unrest and dissatisfaction, and
+wore a scowl of disappointment and defeat. These latter Stephen
+recognized at once and hurriedly made an estimate of their number.
+Together with the neutral representation he seemed satisfied with the
+majority.</p>
+
+<p>The most remarkable feature of all was the silence. Not a voice was
+raised above a whisper. The man at the door at the side of the hall, the
+little group away to the front of the hall, peeping at the audience and
+talking in subdued tones, the people in the chairs, those at the back of
+the hall,&mdash;all seemed to hold their tongues to a whisper for interest
+and a kind of fear. Drama was in the air.</p>
+
+<p>The guard at the door advanced to the front of the hall to announce to
+Mr. Anderson that the full quota was present. Whereupon the latter arose
+from his chair and swept with his gaze the entire room, which the dim
+light of the torches only partly revealed. Satisfied with his scrutiny,
+he turned and again conferred with his associates who nodded their heads
+in acceptance of his suggestion. They sat back in their chairs while he
+came to the center of the platform and awaited the cessation of the hum
+which was now becoming audible.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me begin by taking further assurance of your number," he said, "for
+which purpose I shall call the roll of names to which I respectfully ask
+you to respond."</p>
+
+<p>Then followed the reading of the roll-call to which each man at the
+mention of his name signified his presence in the room. Stephen's heart
+fluttered as he replied boldly to the name of "James Cadwalader."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p><p>There were eight names to which no reply was given. These very likely
+would come later, or perhaps they had reconsidered their action and had
+decided not to come at all. Those present numbered eighty-six, Stephen
+learned from the count.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall take this opportunity of distributing among you the papers of
+enlistment that you may read the terms of agreement, and these I shall
+ask you to sign at the close of this meeting."</p>
+
+<p>As Anderson finished this sentence, he passed to several aids, a bundle
+of papers which they promptly dealt out to the members of the proposed
+company.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mr. Anderson began.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"You have assembled this evening, my dear friends and co-religionists,
+to translate into definite action the convictions by which you have been
+impelled to undertake this important business. Our presence means that
+we are ready to put into deeds the inspirations which have always
+dominated our minds. It means that we are about to make a final thrust
+for our religious convictions, and to prove that we are worthy
+descendants of the men who established in this land freedom of religious
+worship, and bequeathed it to us as a priceless heritage."</p>
+
+<p>This Anderson is a clever fellow, thought Stephen, and a fluent talker.
+Already his eloquence had brought quiet to the room and caused those who
+were fumbling with the papers to let them fall motionless in their laps.
+But what a knave! Here he was deliberately playing upon the sympathies
+of his audience in the r&ocirc;le of a Catholic.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p><p>"We have signified our intention of taking this momentous step, because
+we are of the undivided opinion that our rights have been attained. We
+have accomplished our purpose and we have now no cause for martial
+strife. No longer do grounds of contention between us and the mother
+country exist. Our bill of rights has been read abroad and honored, and
+overtures of conciliation have already been made. The object for which
+we linked our forces with the rebel standard, the happiness, the supreme
+happiness of our country, has been gained. We no longer desire open
+warfare.</p>
+
+<p>"The idea of an American Parliament, with its members of American birth,
+is a welcome one. It is a fitting, a worthy ambition. We are confident
+that we are capable, at this juncture, of enacting our own laws and of
+giving them the proper sanction. We are capable of raising our own
+taxes. We are worthy of conducting our own commerce in every part of the
+civilized globe as free citizens of the British Empire. And we are
+convinced that we should enjoy for this purpose the blessings of good
+government, not necessarily self-government, and that we should be
+sustained by all the power requisite to uphold it, as befits free and
+independent children bonded together in a concert of purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"This we desire. But we seek also that freedom in matters of religious
+worship without which no nation can attain to any degree of greatness.
+Under a government conducted solely and independently by the colonists
+we know that such a consummation would be impossible. I need not remind
+you of the deplorable state of affairs which obtained previous to the
+opening of hostilities. I need not recall to your minds the
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>anti-Catholic declarations of the Continental Congresses. I need not
+recall to you the machinations of John Jay, or the manifest antipathy of
+the Adamses, or the Hamiltons, or the Paines. I need not recall to you
+how the vaunted defenders of American liberties and freedom expressed
+their supreme detestation of Catholics and all things Catholic, and how
+they were determined that the nightmare of Popery would never hold sway
+over these free and independent colonies as it does even now in Canada.
+I need not recall how the colonies, with the sole exception of this
+colony of Pennsylvania, debarred the free and legitimate exercise of
+your religion within their bounds, and restricted its public ceremonies;
+how you were restricted by oaths required by law, even here in
+Pennsylvania, which you could not take had you been so successful as to
+be chosen to office. I need not remind you of these truths. You already
+know them. It would be idle to repeat them."</p>
+
+<p>"This man is exceedingly dangerous," muttered Stephen, "and exceedingly
+well-informed." He jotted down several notes on the reverse of his
+paper.</p>
+
+<p>"We have been displeased with the conduct of the war, immeasurably so.
+And we have lost all faith in the good will of our fellow-colonists, in
+matters religious as well as in matters political. They have refused to
+treat with the ministers of conciliation. We are about to join our
+forces to those of the mother country in order that we may render our
+own poverty-stricken land an everlasting service. We are destined to
+take our places among a band of true and genuine patriots, who have,
+above all things else, the welfare of their own land at heart, and we
+are about to commit ourselves to this course, together with our
+fortunes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> and our lives. Since our people are blinded by the avarice and
+the prejudice of their leaders, we shall take into our own hands the
+decision and the fortunes of this war, trusting that our cause may be
+heard at the bar of history when strict judgment shall be meted out. We
+have broken with our people in the hope that the dawn of better days may
+break through the clouds that now overshadow us."</p>
+
+<p>He paused, for a moment to study the temper of his audience. There was
+no sound, and so he continued.</p>
+
+<p>"It is the glory of the British soldier that he is the defender, not the
+destroyer, of the civil and the religious rights of the people. Witness
+the tolerant care of your mother country in the bestowal of religious
+liberties to the inhabitants of our once oppressed neighbor, Canada. The
+Quebec Act was the greatest concession ever granted in the history of
+the British Parliament, and it secured for the Canadians the freedom of
+that worship so dear and so precious to them. So great was the tolerance
+granted to the Catholics of the North, that your fellow-colonists flew
+to arms lest a similar concession be made here. It was the last straw
+that broke the bonds of unity. For, henceforth, it was decreed that only
+a complete and independent separation from the British Parliament could
+secure to the people the practice of the Protestant faith.</p>
+
+<p>"Now we come to the real purpose of this organization. We are about to
+pledge ourselves to the restoration of our faith through the ultimate
+triumph of the British arms. Nobody outside of America believes that she
+can ever make good her claims of independence. No one has ever taken
+seriously her attempt at self-government. France, alone, actuated by
+that <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>ancient hatred for England, inspired by the lust of conquest and
+the greed of spoliation, has sent her ships to our aid. But has she
+furnished the Colonies with a superior force of arms? Has she rendered
+herself liable for any indebtedness? Your mother country alone has made
+this benign offer to you, and it is to her alone that you can look and
+be assured of any reconciliation and peace.</p>
+
+<p>"Victory, once assured, will establish peace and everlasting happiness.
+Victory, now made possible only by the force of arms, will assure us
+toleration in religious matters. And why not? This fratricidal strife
+should not occasion any personal hatred. England is not our foe, but our
+mother in arms against whom we have conceived an unjust grievance. Let
+us lay aside our guns for the olive. Since our fellow-citizens will not
+accept just terms of conciliation let us compel them to do so by the
+strength of our arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Tomorrow we embark for New York at the place of landing indicated on
+the papers of enlistment. There we shall be incorporated into a regiment
+of a thousand men. The recruiting there has met with unlooked-for
+success. Colonel Clifton reports that the ranks already are filled. Your
+admission alone is required, and the ship, which will bear you down the
+waters of the Susquehanna tomorrow, will carry a message of cheer to
+them who have already entrusted themselves, their destinies, their all
+to the realization of our common hope.</p>
+
+<p>"You will now take the oath of allegiance to the government of His
+Majesty, which I shall administer to you in a body. Tomorrow at the hour
+of eight I shall meet you at the pier of embarkation. I shall be glad to
+accompany you to reveal to you my interest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> in your behalf. Only with a
+united front can we hope for success and to this purpose we have
+dedicated our lives and our fortunes. I shall ask you to rise to a man,
+with your right arm upraised, to take the oath of allegiance to your
+king."</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>The spell that held them broke, and the bustle began. A mumble filled
+the room, followed by moments of animated discussion. Neighbor spoke to
+neighbor in terms of approval or plied him with questions menacing and
+entreating. Anderson maintained his composure to allow them to settle
+again into a period of quietude before the administration of the oath.
+At length Stephen arose as if to question, and was given permission to
+speak by the chairman, Mr. Anderson.</p>
+
+<p>"What immunity does His Majesty's Government guarantee to us after the
+war?"</p>
+
+<p>"The usual guarantee will of course be made," Anderson replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Does that mean that we shall be re&euml;stablished in the good-will of our
+fellow-citizens?" Stephen again inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Unquestionably. When the colonists see the immense benefits which they
+have acquired, they will readily condone all wrongs."</p>
+
+<p>Intense interest was already manifest throughout the room. Faces were
+eagerly bent forward lest a word be lost.</p>
+
+<p>"Such considerations, however, are irrelevant to our purpose," dismissed
+Anderson with a wave of the hand.</p>
+
+<p>"But it is of vital consequence to us. We must return to our people to
+live with them, and we cannot live<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> in an atmosphere of hatred. Who
+knows that our lives may not be placed in jeopardy! My question deals
+with this. Will any provision be made against such a contingency?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is too early to discuss the final settlement, but you have my
+assurance that suitable protection will be given."</p>
+
+<p>"Your assurance?" repeated Stephen. "What amount of assurance may you
+offer to us, you who admittedly are one of ourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"I consider that an impertinent question, sir, and in no way connected
+with the business before us."</p>
+
+<p>"It is of vital concern to us, I should say; and I for one am desirous
+of knowing more about this affair before yielding my consent."</p>
+
+<p>"You have signed your papers of enlistment already, I believe. There is
+no further course then for you to pursue."</p>
+
+<p>There was a rustle among the seats. Some had begun to realize their
+fate; some had realized it from the start but were powerless to prevent
+it. Two or three faces turned a shade paler, and they became profoundly
+silent. The others, too, held their tongues to await the result of the
+controversy. For here was a matter of vital concern to all. Up to now
+very few deserters, especially among the Catholics, had been discovered
+among the American forces. They had heard of an individual or two
+surrendering himself to the enemy, or of whole families going over to
+the other side in order to retain their possessions and lands. But a
+mutiny was another matter altogether. What if they failed and the
+Colonists gained their independence!</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose we are powerless," admitted Stephen in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span> a low tone of voice
+as he watched the effect of his words on the gathering. "We are
+confronted," he continued, "with the dilemma of estrangement no matter
+what side gains."</p>
+
+<p>"England can't lose," interrupted Colonel Clifton, who heretofore had
+been seated, an attentive observer. "And with victory comes the
+establishment of the will of the conqueror. Care will be taken that
+there shall be adequate reparation."</p>
+
+<p>"Very good!" answered Stephen. "Now together with that privilege of
+immunity, can we be assured of the extension of the Quebec Act? Has
+England so decreed?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet," Anderson admitted, "but that extension, or one equal to it,
+will be made one of the conditions of peace."</p>
+
+<p>"We are sure of that, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we are not sure, but it is only logical to infer such a
+condescension will be made."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't agree with you, I am sorry to say, for the English Parliament
+may be of another mind when peace and victory have been established."</p>
+
+<p>"You are interrupting the meeting. Please let us continue with our
+business," Anderson sharply reproved him.</p>
+
+<p>"I speak for my fellow-citizens here," said Stephen as he turned toward
+them with an appealing gesture, "and I maintain that it is our privilege
+to know certain matters before we transfer our allegiance."</p>
+
+<p>It was now plain to the company that Anderson was worried. His white
+thin lips were firmly compressed as the wrath in his heart blazed within
+him. He was aghast at the blow. It had come from a quarter wholly
+unexpected. That this fellow in these<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> shabby clothes should be gifted
+with a freedom of speech such as to confound him when he thought his
+plans realized to the letter, was astounding. Why, he might sway the
+minds of the entire assembly! Better to silence him at once, or better
+still banish him from the hall than to cope with the possibility of
+losing the entire multitude.</p>
+
+<p>"You have interrupted this meeting more than I care to have you, sir. If
+you will kindly allow me to proceed with the business before the house I
+shall consider it a favor."</p>
+
+<p>"I ask my fellow-citizens here," shouted Stephen by way of reply, "if
+you or any man possesses the right to deprive us of free speech,
+especially at a time as momentous as this. I ask you, my friends, if I
+may continue?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes!... Go on!... We will hear you!..." were the several acclamations
+from the throng.</p>
+
+<p>Anderson heard it with perceptible confusion. He fumbled nervously with
+his fingers, wholly ignorant of what to say.</p>
+
+<p>"Let me ask, then," said Stephen, "if the idea of independence is wholly
+exclusive of religious toleration. Why are we, a mere handful of men,
+about to pledge ourselves to the accomplishment by force of arms what
+already is accomplished in our very midst? Freedom of religious worship
+is already assured. The several actions of the colonial governing bodies
+lend us that assurance. England can do no more for us than already has
+been done; and what has been done by the Colonies will be guaranteed by
+the elective body of the people in the days of independence. I am
+fearful of the hazards that will accompany this enlistment. Give me
+leave to address you on this topic that you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> may understand my troubled
+state of mind. I appeal to you. Give me leave to talk."</p>
+
+<p>Whether it was the spontaneous sound issuing from the ranks of those
+already initiated into the secret, or whether a chord already attuned in
+the hearts and minds of the entire assembly, had been marvelously struck
+by him, there was a reverberation of approval throughout the room in
+answer to Stephen's plea. So unanimous was the demonstration that
+Anderson took alarm. The air of democracy was revealing itself in their
+instinctive enthusiasm. And while nothing might result from Stephen's
+rambling remarks, still it would afford them consolation that their side
+of the question had been aired. To a man they voiced their approval of
+the privilege which had been begged.</p>
+
+<p>"Aye!... Speech!... Take the floor!"</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AVIII" id="CHAPTER_AVIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"I have no desire to make a speech," Stephen began, "but I have asked
+for this privilege of addressing you because we are moving through
+critical times and because there are serious decisions to be made this
+evening, which it is neither right nor possible for us to make without a
+full consideration of the state of affairs. I have devoted much serious
+thought to this subject. I have labored to arrive at a just conclusion,
+and it is in that spirit that I would speak. I feel, too, that I have an
+inalienable right as a free-born citizen to express my views freely and
+publicly, as befits a loyal adherent of the principles which we are now
+defending with our blood. And first among those principles is that which
+guarantees representation in all matters that are of vital concern to
+us."</p>
+
+<p>He had not left his chair but continued to talk from his place beside
+it, turning, however, somewhat in the direction of his audience. Silence
+reigned throughout the room and every face was turned full upon him.</p>
+
+<p>"I, too, had accepted the terms of enlistment on the plea of the
+acquisition of our rights, so admirably exposed to us by our good
+friend, Mr. Anderson. As I pondered the matter, however, I seriously
+questioned whether this were the proper time for the employment of such
+methods. What assurance have we,&mdash;if indeed assurance be needed,&mdash;that
+this is not another<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> trick of the enemy? Bear with me, please, while I
+unfold to you my thoughts.</p>
+
+<p>"Our leader and our guide in these matters, Mr. Anderson, has made known
+to us that this business of recruiting has been a great success. But did
+he tell us of the sinister methods which often had been resorted to, of
+the many threats which had been exercised over a great number of us, of
+the debts which had been relieved, of the intimidation which had been
+employed? He declared with manifest satisfaction that the recruiting in
+the city of New York had been marvelous in its results, yet he did not
+explain to our satisfaction the reason which impelled the leaders of
+this revolt to seek members from the neighboring cities to help swell
+the ranks; nor did he tell of the means which had been made use of to
+secure that marvelous number in the city, of all cities, where such
+recruiting would be most successful because of the present British
+occupation of the territory. Furthermore, he failed to tell us that he
+himself is not a Catholic, or that his true name is not Anderson, or of
+his history previous to his appearance in this city. Neither did he tell
+us that Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, while a Philadelphia Catholic, is a
+British subject, having accepted British allegiance on the capture of
+the city a year ago last September. There were many items of importance
+which were not revealed to us. Shall I continue? I have an abundance of
+facts to disclose to you, if you give me leave."</p>
+
+<p>So favorable had been the impression produced by the speech of Anderson
+that Stephen felt apprehensive lest his own criticism and contradiction
+would not be accepted as true. And so he paused to learn if possible the
+nature of his reception.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span></p><p>"Yes!... We want to hear them!... Tell us more!..."</p>
+
+<p>There was a wild outburst of approval, followed by a generous
+handclapping. In the confusion, Stephen observed Anderson together with
+Colonel Clifton leave their places on the platform and take seats on the
+side of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"It is quite true that we have no quarrel with the English people. We
+have no quarrel with their king or the framers of their laws. It is
+equally true that the governments of Great Britain and the United
+Colonies have become involved in a military struggle, a struggle to the
+death; nevertheless we would be the last to imply that there exists any
+essential antagonism of interests or purposes between the two peoples.
+We are not engaged in a contest between Englishmen and Americans, but
+between two antagonistic principles of government, each of which has its
+advocates and its opponents among us who sit here, among those who live
+with us in our own country, among those who reside in far-off England.
+The contest is a political contest, the ancient contest between the Whig
+and the Tory principles of government, the contest of Chatham and North,
+and Richmond, Rockingham and Burke transferred to this side of the
+Atlantic. The political liberty to which we have dedicated ourselves is
+no product of our imaginations; our forefathers of the seventeenth
+century brought it to our shores and now we naturally refuse to
+surrender it. It is the principle for which we are contending,&mdash;the
+principles that these United Colonies are and of a right ought to be
+free and independent states; and in all matters else we are loyal foster
+children of His Majesty the King, as loyal and as interested a people in
+the welfare of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> mother country as the most devoted subject of the
+crown residing in the city of London.</p>
+
+<p>"War was inevitable. This has been known for some time; but there has
+been no lack of cordiality between the people of the United Kingdom and
+the people of the United Colonies. We are opposed to certain principles
+of statecraft, to the principle of taxation without representation, to
+the same degree as are the Whigs of our mother country. We cherish the
+warmest sentiments of love and admiration for the English people and we
+are ready to become their brothers in arms at any future date for the
+defense of those very ideals which we are now trying to establish,&mdash;the
+blessings of democracy; but we abominate autocracy and will have none of
+it. In this regard we may be said to have disinfected our anger, but
+never to have diluted it."</p>
+
+<p>The Tory element moved about in their seats, and Stephen suspected for a
+moment that he was being treated with an air of disdain. He shifted his
+point of view suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"To say that the Catholic people of this country are dissatisfied with
+the conduct of the war is begging the question, and brands them with a
+stigma which they wholly undeserve. We admit for the sake of argument
+that our early cousins may have proved themselves somewhat intolerant,
+and, perhaps, rendered conditions of life disagreeable to us; still gold
+must be tried by the fire. We grow vigorous under storms of persecution.
+And while it is true that the American Congress of 1774 protested
+against the legislature of Great Britain establishing a 'religion
+fraught with impious tenets,' yet it is equally true that the Congress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>
+of 1776 resolved to protect 'all foreigners in the free exercise of
+their respective religions.' The past has been buried by this; the
+future lies before us.</p>
+
+<p>"We do not grieve on that account. Rather are we proud of our adhesion
+to the cause of independence, and you, yourselves, are no less proud of
+your own efforts in this regard. The Commander-in-chief is warmly
+disposed towards the Catholic element, not alone in the army, but among
+the citizenry. His own bodyguard is composed of men, more than thirty of
+whom bear Catholic names. One of his aides, Colonel Fitzgerald, is a
+Catholic. His Captain and Commander of the Navy, nominated and appointed
+by himself, is a Catholic, John Barry. We are appreciative of the
+services of our General, and we are ready to render ourselves worthy of
+the esteem and the respect in which we are held by him, as was evidenced
+by his abolition of the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day, so detestable to
+us.</p>
+
+<p>"I repeat this to impress upon you that this is not the time for
+religious controversy or for nicely calculating the scope and the extent
+of our service. The temper of the times requires unity of action and
+definition of purpose. Our people respect us. Whatever restrictions were
+lodged against us in the past have been broken down now before the
+battering ram of public opinion. The guarantees for the future given by
+our own brethren, that we shall be permitted the free and unrestricted
+exercise of our religious observances as well as the right to worship
+God according to the dictates of our own consciences, are of more
+endurable texture than the flimsy promises of the enemy. Our noble and
+generous ally, France, already has procured for us that respect and
+recognition so <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span>indispensable to our safety and, contrary to the opinion
+already expressed here tonight, has sent us six thousand men, the first
+installment of an army of at least twelve thousand trained soldiers,
+destined to be put directly under General Washington's command. Together
+with these she has already furnished Congress with large sums of money
+to enable us to carry on the war. The dawn of a brighter day is now
+breaking over the horizon and in the east the sun of justice and of
+toleration and of liberty may be seen breaking through the low-hung
+clouds of oppression, prejudice and tyranny which have so long obscured
+it. In our history there has been no coward, no Tory, no traitor of our
+faith. We are still Loyalists; but of different type. That precious and
+historic document of July 4, 1776, definitely and for all time absolved
+us from all allegiance to the British Crown. By nature, then, we have
+become citizens of a new government, a government instituted by and
+subject to the peoples of these free and independent states. Henceforth,
+Loyalty assumes a newer and most lasting significance;&mdash;it has suddenly
+become for us synonymous with the best and dearest interests of our
+country."</p>
+
+<p>He paused.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>The sigh throughout the room was distinctly audible as he ended his
+paragraph with a rhetorical pause. He caught the sound on the instant
+and understood its meaning as the orator, holding his audience in
+breathless intensity, allows them to drop suddenly that he may
+appreciate his control of their feelings. Their pent-up energies give
+way to an abrupt relaxation followed by a slight scuffling of the body
+or an <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>intermittent cough. From these unconscious indications, Stephen
+knew that he had held their interest and he did not intend that they
+should be allowed to compose themselves quite, until he had finished. He
+began at once on the evidence of the plot.</p>
+
+<p>"The members of this proposed company before whom I have the privilege
+of speaking, have been the victims of a gigantic plot, a plot that found
+its origin in the headquarters of the British army at New York City. It
+was to advance the plan that John Anderson came to Philadelphia. He had
+carried on communication with the enemy almost without interruption.
+Because the work of recruiting in the city of the enemy was a failure,
+it was decreed that the city of Philadelphia, as the most Tory of the
+American cities, be called upon for the requisite number. Of the
+progress here, you already know. Of the multifarious means employed, you
+yourselves can bear excellent witness. Of the ultimate success of the
+venture you are now about to decide.</p>
+
+<p>"The Military Governor, General Arnold, was early initiated into the
+scheme. For a long time he has borne a fierce grudge against Congress,
+and he hoped that the several Catholic members of the body might be
+induced to forsake the American cause. They sought Father Farmer, our
+good pastor, as chaplain of the regiment, but he refused with mingled
+delicacy and tact. Indeed, were it not for the hostile state of the
+public mind, a campaign of violence would have been resorted to; but
+Arnold felt the pulse of dislike throbbing in the heart of the community
+and very wisely refrained from increasing its fervor. All possible aid
+was furnished by him, however, in a secret manner. His counsel was
+generously given. Many of your<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span> names were supplied by him together with
+an estimate of your financial standing, your worth in the community,
+your political tendencies, the strength of your religious convictions.
+And what a comparatively simple matter it was for one thus equipped to
+accomplish so marvelous and so satisfactory results!</p>
+
+<p>"I repeat, then, General Arnold is strongly prejudiced against us. It is
+an open secret that Catholic soldiers have fared ill at his hands.
+Tories and Jews compose his retinue, but no Catholics. I am not critical
+in this respect for I observe that he is enjoying but a personal
+privilege. But I allude to this fact at this moment to assure you that
+this scheme of forming a regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers is
+directed solely to subvert the good relations already existing between
+us and our brethren in arms. The promises made bore no hope of
+fulfillment. The guarantees of immunity deserve no consideration. The
+Quebec Act, and for this I might say in passing that we are duly
+grateful, was never to be extended. In view of these observations, I ask
+you: are you willing to continue with this nefarious business? Are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" was the interruption. The outburst was riotous. "Arrest the
+traitor!... I move we adjourn!..."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen held out his hands in supplication to beseech them to hear him
+further.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, gentlemen! Just one more word," he pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>They stood still and listened.</p>
+
+<p>"Has it occurred to you, let me ask, that the vessel which has been
+engaged to transport you to the city of New York is named the <i>Isis</i>, a
+sloop well known to sea-faring men of this city? She is owned by
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>Philadelphia citizens and manned by a local crew. Does not this strike
+you as remarkably strange and significant,&mdash;that a vessel of this
+character should clear this port and enter the port of the enemy without
+flying the enemy's flag? Think of it, gentlemen! An American vessel with
+an American crew employed by the enemy, and chartered to aid and abet
+the enemy's cause!"</p>
+
+<p>They resumed their seats to give their undivided attention to this new
+topic of interest. Some sat alert, only partly on the chair; some sat
+forward with their chins resting in the palms of their hands. So
+absorbed were all in astonishment and amazement, that no other thought
+gave them any concern save that of the vessel. The side door had opened
+and closed, yet no one seemed to notice the occurrence. Even Stephen had
+failed to observe it.</p>
+
+<p>"As a matter of fact," he continued, "the ship has not been chartered by
+the enemy. She is about to clear this port and enter the port of the
+enemy by virtue of a pass issued through General Arnold.... Please, just
+a moment, until I conclude," he exclaimed, holding out his hand with a
+restraining gesture. "This matter has heretofore been a close secret,
+but it is necessary now that the truth should be known. To issue a pass
+for such an errand is a violation of the American Articles of War and
+for this offense I now formally charge Major-General Benedict Arnold
+with treason."</p>
+
+<p>"The traitor!... Court-martial him!..." shouted several voices.</p>
+
+<p>"I charge him with being unfaithful to his trust. He had made use of our
+wagons to transport the property of the enemy at a time when the lines
+of communication of the enemy were no farther distant than Egg Harbor.
+He has allowed many of our people to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span> enter and leave the lines of the
+enemy. He has illegally concerned himself over the profits of a
+privateer. He has imposed, or at any rate has given his sanction to the
+imposition of menial offices upon the sons of freedom who are now
+serving in the militia, as was the case with young Matlack, which you
+will remember. And he has of late improperly granted a pass for a vessel
+to clear for the port of the enemy. I desire to make these charges
+publicly in order that you may know that my criticisms are not without
+foundation. I have in view your welfare alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Aye!... We believe you!... Let us adjourn!"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me ask Mr. Anderson one or two questions. If they can be answered
+to your satisfaction we shall accept his overtures. On the other hand
+let us dispense once and for all with this nefarious business and
+frustrate this insidious conspiracy so that we may renew our energies
+for the task before us which alone matters&mdash;the task of overcoming the
+enemy.</p>
+
+<p>"First! Who has financed the organization, equipment, transportation of
+this regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers?</p>
+
+<p>"Second: From what source or sources originated the various methods of
+blackmail?</p>
+
+<p>"Third: Who first suggested the co&ouml;peration of General Arnold?</p>
+
+<p>"Fourth: What pressure was brought to bear in the obtaining of the
+passport for the vessel to clear port?"</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>But there was no Anderson to give answer. It was found that he, together
+with Colonel Clifton and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>several members of the party, had disappeared
+from the room. No one had remembered seeing them take their departure,
+yet it was observed that they had left the platform in the course of
+Stephen's speech to take seats on the further side of the hall, near to
+the door. This might have opened and closed several times during
+Stephen's speech, and, more especially, at the time when they had
+crowded the aisles near the close of the address, and little or no
+attention would have been paid to it. Very likely Anderson had taken
+advantage of such an opportunity to make an escape.</p>
+
+<p>It was a very different room now. What had been a state of remarkable
+quiet with every man in his seat, with the conversation hardly above the
+tone of a whisper, with the uniform tranquillity disturbed solely by the
+remarks of the two speakers, was now giving way to a precipitous uproar
+which approached a riot. Men surged about one another and about Stephen
+in an endeavor to learn the details of the plot. Groups separated
+themselves from other equally detached groups, all absorbed, however, in
+the same topic. Voices, formerly hushed, now became vociferous. The
+walls reverberated with the tumultuous confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"What dupes!" one was remarking to his neighbor. "How easily were we led
+by his smooth talk!"</p>
+
+<p>"We were misguided in our motives of allegiance. We might have sensed a
+trick of the enemy," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us win the war, first," shouted a third.</p>
+
+<p>"Aye! Freedom first; then religious liberty."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is he?" another asked. "It cannot be Cadwalader."</p>
+
+<p>"No," answered the neighbor. "This was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>prearranged. He borrowed
+Cadwalader's card to come here."</p>
+
+<p>"I always told you Arnold was no good," sounded a great voice. "He'd
+sell us to the devil if he could get paid for it. I suppose he'll go to
+New York sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him. Wish he was out of here."</p>
+
+<p>"Say!" one asked Stephen rather abruptly. "How did you get all this
+straight?"</p>
+
+<p>"I interested myself the moment the scheme took root. I assured myself
+that all was not as it should be and I took pains to verify my
+suspicions," was the grave reply.</p>
+
+<p>"I know, but how did ye get 'em?"</p>
+
+<p>"By following every move this Anderson made. I tracked him even to Mount
+Pleasant."</p>
+
+<p>"And got beforehand with Arnold?"</p>
+
+<p>"I overheard the major portion of the conversation."</p>
+
+<p>"Pardon me," asked another individual, neater in appearance than the
+majority, and evidently of more education, "but have I not seen you
+before?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you have," laughed Stephen.</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"I could not begin to imagine."</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you live? In town?"</p>
+
+<p>"For the present, yes."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you see? Just one of you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never saw you in those clothes before. If I am not greatly mistaken you
+are the one who came to the Coffee House one day with Matt. Allison."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," admitted Stephen, "I am the same."</p>
+
+<p>"How did you come by those clothes?"</p>
+
+<p>"Borrowed them."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span></p><p>"In disguise, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was necessary to simulate a disguise. Otherwise I could never have
+gained admission here. I learned that Jim Cadwalader had been impressed
+into the company and I arranged to come in his place."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>"You took a mighty big risk."</p>
+
+<p>"It was required. But I knew that there was but one way of playing this
+game and that was to defeat them openly by their own tactics. I had to
+depend, of course, upon the temper of the proposed members. All might be
+lost or won at one throw of the dice. I worded my remarks to that
+effect, and I won."</p>
+
+<p>"What did you say your name was?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not say what it was," Stephen exchanged in good-natured repartee,
+"but since you ask, it is Meagher."</p>
+
+<p>"Captain Meagher?"</p>
+
+<p>Stephen smiled.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>It must have been fully half-past nine when the meeting broke up; and
+that was at the departure of Stephen. He had lingered long enough to
+assure himself that the company was of a mind far different from that
+which had engaged them upon their arrival. They were now to go forth
+wiser men. But they knew that the people of the city could be moved
+quickly to indignation&mdash;as quickly, indeed, as they could be moved to
+favor. And how were they to explain their conduct? They resolved to lay
+the story with all its details before the very table of public opinion
+and allow that tribunal to discriminate between the shades of guilt.</p>
+
+<p>Anderson, of course, had fled. That in itself was a confession and a
+point in their favor. It was plain to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span> their minds that they had been
+victimized by the clever machinations of this man. If there had been any
+lack of unity of opinion concerning the righteousness of the project
+before, there was no divided opinion now. They knew what they were about
+to do, and they made all possible haste to put their thought into
+execution.</p>
+
+<p>The ancient antipathy against the Military Governor was only intensified
+the more. Rumor would confirm the charges that would be published
+against him, of that they would take proper care. It was enough that
+they had been deluded by Anderson, but to be mere pawns in the hands of
+Arnold was more than they could stand. Too long had he been tolerated
+with his Tory wife and her manner of living, and now was an opportunity.
+Their path of duty was outlined before them.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Thoroughly satisfied with his evening's work, Stephen turned down the
+street whistling softly to himself.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AIX" id="CHAPTER_AIX"></a>CHAPTER IX</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"Come!" said Stephen in response to the soft knock upon his door panel.
+"Just a minute."</p>
+
+<p>He arose from his knees from the side of his bed. It was his custom to
+pray in this posture both morning and night; in the morning to thank his
+Lord for having brought him safely through the night and to offer Him
+all his prayers and works and sufferings of the day. At night to implore
+pardon for his shortcomings of the day and to commend himself into the
+hands of his Creator. This morning, however, the noise of heavy
+footsteps on the stairway had caused him to abbreviate somewhat his
+devotional exercise.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in!" he repeated as he slipped back the bolt and opened the door.
+"Oh! Good morning! You're out early. How are you?"</p>
+
+<p>He shook the hands of his early morning visitors warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine morning!" replied Mr. Allison. "Sorry to have disturbed you, but
+Jim was around early and desired to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Sure! No disturbance at all, I assure you. I was on the point of
+leaving for breakfast."</p>
+
+<p>"Go right ahead. Please don't delay on our account. We can wait. Go
+ahead," expostulated Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"We want'd t' be sure an' git ye, thet wuz all,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span> remarked Jim. "Eat
+first. We'll be here when y' git back."</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down and make yourselves comfortable," and he arranged several
+chairs about the room. "I overslept, I fear. Last night taxed me."</p>
+
+<p>"You did justice to yourself and to us last night. The splendid result
+was your reward."</p>
+
+<p>They were seated, Jim by the window, Mr. Allison at Stephen's desk. The
+disorder of early morning was apparent in the room, the furniture
+disarranged and all manner of clothing, bed covering, wearing apparel,
+towels, piled or thrown carelessly about. No one seemed to mind it,
+however, for no one paused to rearrange it.</p>
+
+<p>"It wuz a big night. Tell us how did ye git along with 'em?" asked Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Much better than I had anticipated," Stephen replied. "I thought that
+Anderson's talk had won them entirely, but when I asked for the floor, I
+saw at once that many were with me. Had you instructed them?" This
+question was directed towards Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"I did. I saw a doz'n at least. You know they had no use fur th' thing
+and were glad o' th' chance. I made a big secret out o' it, and they
+watch'd fur my ol' clothes."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought I felt their glances. They stuck true, you may be assured. I
+knew, too, that I possessed a reserve blow in the affair of the <i>Isis</i>.
+The mention of Arnold's name inflamed them."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry to have missed that," Mr. Allison said.</p>
+
+<p>"How did they avoid you?" Stephen asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. I was never approached although I had been acquainted
+with the rumors of the thing right along. I suppose they figured that I
+would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span> threaten them with exposure. They knew where I stood; and then
+again they knew that they could threaten me with no debts. For some
+reason or other they thought best to avoid me."</p>
+
+<p>"I guess we killed it for good."</p>
+
+<p>"Kill'd it?" exclaimed Jim. "It's deader 'n a six-day corpse. An'
+there's great talk goin' on t'day on all th' corners. We're right wid
+th' peepul y' kin bet, and they thought best to avoid me."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you noticed any agitation?"</p>
+
+<p>"There has been a little disturbance," Mr. Allison admitted, "but no
+violence. It has been talk more than anything. Many are wondering who
+you are and how you obtained your information. Others are considerably
+taken back by the unveiling of Anderson. The greatest of respect is
+being shown to us on the street, and congratulations are being offered
+to us from all sides."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad the sentiment has changed. It now looks like the dawn of a
+better day. We should be spurred on, however, to greater endeavor in the
+manifestation of our loyalty, especially among the minority Tory
+element."</p>
+
+<p>Outside, the street was beginning to feel the impulse of life. Over
+across, the buildings shone with the brightness of the morning sun which
+was reflected mildly from the glassy windows. There was a silent
+composure about it all, with no sound save the footfalls of the passing
+horse or the rattle of the business wagon. Somewhere across the street
+the man with the violin continued his fiddling.</p>
+
+<p>"Does that keep up all day?"</p>
+
+<p>"Almost! It is amusing to hear Griff swearing at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span> him. The humorous part
+of it is that he plays but one tune, 'Yankee Doodle.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Can't ye steal it some night?" asked Jim, "an' bust it over 's head."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care," laughed Stephen, "he doesn't bother me."</p>
+
+<p>The door opened and shut. Sergeant Griffin entered, saluted Stephen and
+took the hands of the visitors.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, what do you think of the boy?"</p>
+
+<p>"I alwa's said he wuz a good boy."</p>
+
+<p>"The fun hasn't begun yet," announced the Sergeant. "I have just learned
+that the City Council has met, and is about to issue formal charges
+against General Arnold."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen whistled.</p>
+
+<p>"They are glad of this opportunity," he announced quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"Reed never took kindly to him, not from the first day," declared Mr.
+Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if Reed gits after 'm he'll make the fur fly. He's a bad man when
+he gits goin'."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you say they had met?" Stephen inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"I understand they have. The affair of last night is being talked of
+freely on the street. And they are talking about you, most of all, and
+wonder if you had been sent by Washington to uncover this. One thing is
+certain: Arnold is in disgrace and the sooner he gets out of here the
+better it will be for him."</p>
+
+<p>"The General likes 'im and p'rhaps 'll give 'im a transf'r."</p>
+
+<p>"By the way!" interrupted Mr. Allison. "My girl wants to see you."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span></p><p>"See me?" Stephen quickly repeated, pointing to himself.</p>
+
+<p>"She told me on leaving to tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Is it urgent?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I guess not. She didn't say it as if it were."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell her for me, I shall go as soon as I can."</p>
+
+<p>"What's th' next thin' t' do?" asked Jim.</p>
+
+<p>"Matters will take care of themselves for awhile," Stephen replied.
+"Anderson, I suppose, has left town together with Clifton and the
+others. If the City Council has met to publish charges against Arnold,
+there is nothing to do but await the result of these. The people, I
+presume, are of one mind now and if they are not they will soon be
+converted once the news of last night's affair has reached their ears."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you going to remain here?" asked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to take some breakfast, first; then I shall busy myself with
+a report. I may be busy for several days away from the city. In the
+meantime I would advise that the whole affair be aired as much as
+possible. There is nothing like supplying the public mind with food.
+Meet me, Jim, at the Coffee House; or are you coming with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Guess I'll go. This man wants t' eat."</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>The City Council did meet, as rumor announced to Sergeant Griffin, and
+immediately published charges against David Franks, the father of the
+aide-de-camp of the Military Governor, charging him with being in
+correspondence with his brother in London, who was holding the office of
+Commissary for British <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>prisoners. He was ordered to be placed under
+immediate arrest. At the same time formal charges, partly of a military
+nature, partly of a civil, were preferred against the Military Governor.
+Copies of indictment were laid before Congress and before the Governors
+of the states, who were asked to communicate them to their respective
+legislatures.</p>
+
+<p>The press became wildly excited. Great headlines announced the startling
+news to the amazement of the country. For, it must be remembered,
+Philadelphia was the center of government and colonial life, and the
+eyes of the infant nation were turned continually in its direction.
+General Arnold's name soon became a subject for conversation on every
+side.</p>
+
+<p>None took the news more to heart than the General himself, as he sat in
+his great drawing-room with a copy of the evening news sheet before him.
+Being of an imaginative, impulsive nature it was natural for him to
+worry, but tonight there was the added feature of the revelation of his
+guilt. Reed had pursued him relentlessly, and the public announcement of
+his participation in the attempted formation of this detestable regiment
+only furnished the President of the Council with the opening he had so
+long desired. He re-read the charges preferred against him, his name
+across the front in big bold type. In substance they were as follows:</p>
+
+<p>First: That the Military Governor had issued a pass for a vessel
+employed by the enemy, to come into port without the knowledge of the
+State authorities or of the Commander-in-chief.</p>
+
+<p>Second: That upon taking possession of the city he had closed the shops
+and stores, preventing the public from purchasing, while at the same
+time, "as was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> believed," he had made considerable purchases for his own
+benefit.</p>
+
+<p>Third: That he imposed menial offices upon the militia when called into
+service.</p>
+
+<p>Fourth: That in a dispute over the capture of a prize brought in by a
+state privateer he had purchased the suit at a low and inadequate price.</p>
+
+<p>Fifth: That he had devoted the wagons of the state to transporting the
+private property of Tories.</p>
+
+<p>Sixth: That, contrary to law, he had given a pass to an unworthy person
+to go within the enemy's lines.</p>
+
+<p>Seventh: That the Council had been met with a disrespectful refusal when
+they asked him to explain the subject-matter of the Fifth charge.</p>
+
+<p>Eighth: That the patriotic authorities, both civil and military, were
+treated coldly and neglectfully, in a manner entirely different from his
+line of conduct towards the adherents of the king.</p>
+
+<p>A further account of the Council meeting was then given wherein it was
+stated that a motion had been made to suspend General Arnold from all
+command during the time the inquiry was being made into these
+accusations, but it had been voted down. Congress was asked, the story
+went on, to decide on the value of these charges and to refer them to
+the proper tribunal, the necessary amount of evidence being promised at
+the proper time.</p>
+
+<p>"The fools!" he muttered. "They think that these can hold water."</p>
+
+<p>He continued to read, and holding the paper at a distance from him,
+gazed at it.</p>
+
+<p>"What a shame! Every paper in the country will have this story before
+the week is out. I'm disgraced."</p>
+
+<p>He fell back in his chair with his head propped up<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> by his elbow. In his
+other hand, thrown across the arm of the chair, was held the paper. His
+brows were contracted, his eyes closed, his face flushed in indication
+of the tumult that surged within him. His mind was engaged in a long
+process of thought which began with his memories of his early campaigns
+and traced themselves down to the events of the present moment. There
+was no decision, no constancy of resolution, no determination; just
+worry, and apprehension, and solicitude, and the loud, rapid beatings of
+his temple against his hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Suspend me! I'll forestall them, damn 'em. I'll resign first."</p>
+
+<p>He wondered where Anderson had gone or what fortune he had met with. The
+morning brought the first report of the disruption of the meeting and of
+the unknown person who had single-handed accomplished it. There must be
+a traitor somewhere, for no one save Anderson and himself had been
+initiated into the secret. Margaret knew, of course, but she could be
+trusted. Perhaps after all the man had escaped that night. Perhaps it
+was this very person who had created the furore at the meeting. Who was
+he? How did he get in? Why were proper steps not taken to safeguard the
+room against all possibilities of this nature? Bah! Anderson had bungled
+the thing from the start. He was a boy sent on a man's errand.</p>
+
+<p>The regiment was defunct. To speculate further on that subject would be
+futile. It never had existed, as far as he could see, except on paper,
+and there it remained, a mere potentiality. The single-handed disruption
+of it proved how utterly deprived it was of cohesion and organization.
+That one man, alone and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> in disguise, could have acquainted himself
+thoroughly with the whole proceeding, could have found his way with no
+attempt at interference into the meeting place, and with a few
+well-chosen words could have moved an entire audience to espouse the
+very contrary of their original purpose, indicated the stability and the
+temper of the assembly. To coerce men is a useless endeavor. Even the
+Almighty finds it well not to interfere with man's power of choice. They
+might be led or enticed or cajoled; but to force them, or intimidate
+them, or overwhelm them, is an idle and unavailing adventure.</p>
+
+<p>Anderson had failed miserably and his conspiracy had perished with him.
+Not a prominent Catholic had been reached in the first place; not a
+member of the poorest class would now leave the city. The affair with
+its awful disclosures only added strength to their position, for
+whatever aspersions might have been cast upon their loyalty in the event
+of the successful deportation of the company, were now turned like a
+boomerang against the very ones who had engineered the scheme. The
+community would respect the Catholics more for the future. They were to
+profit by his undoing. They would be valued for the test that their
+patriotism had stood.</p>
+
+<p>There was another consideration, however, which wore a graver complexion
+and tormented him beyond endurance. This was the solicitude for his own
+safety. The people had hated him for years and had proceeded to invent
+stories about him which might justify its anger. It had been a
+satisfaction for him to reflect that, for the most part, these stories
+had not been the causes, but rather the effects of public indignation.
+But what answer could he make now, what apology could he offer for this
+late transaction, this conspiracy at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span> once so evident and palpable? As
+far as the question of his guilt was concerned there would be little
+conjecture about that. Ten or twenty accounts of the venture,
+inconsistent with one another and with themselves, would be circulated
+simultaneously. Of that he had no doubt. People would neither know nor
+care about the evidence. It was enough that he had been implicated.</p>
+
+<p>He would ask for a court-martial. That, of course. Through no other
+tribunal could a just and a satisfactory decision be reached, and it was
+paramount that another verdict besides that pronounced by public opinion
+be obtained. Unquestionably, he would be acquitted. His past service,
+his influence, his character would prove themselves determining factors
+during his trial. Fully one-half of the charges were ridiculous and
+would be thrown out of court as incontestable, and of the remainder only
+one would find him technically culpable. Still it were better for a
+court to decide upon these matters, and to that end he decided to
+request a general court-martial.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"You have removed your uniform?" Peggy asked in surprise as she beheld
+him entering the doorway of the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," was the solemn reply. "I am no longer a confederate of France."</p>
+
+<p>He limped slowly across the room, leaning on his cane. He had laid aside
+his buff and blue uniform, with the epaulets and sword knots, and was
+clad in a suit of silken black. His hose and shoes were of the same
+color, against which his blouse, cuffs and periwig were emphasized, a
+pale white.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span></p><p>"But you are still a Major-General," she corrected.</p>
+
+<p>"I was; but am no longer. I have resigned."</p>
+
+<p>She started at the announcement. Obviously she had not anticipated this
+move.</p>
+
+<p>"You have resigned? When?"</p>
+
+<p>"I wrote the letter a short time ago. I precluded their designs."</p>
+
+<p>He sat in his great chair, and, reaching for his stool, placed his foot
+upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"But ... I ... I don't understand."</p>
+
+<p>"I do perfectly. I shall be tried by court-martial, of course; they have
+moved already to suspend me pending the course of my trial. I want to
+anticipate any such possibility, that is all."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will be reinstated?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know,&mdash;nor care," he added.</p>
+
+<p>"And what about us, our home, our life here," she asked with a marked
+concern.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! That will go on. This is your house, remember, if it comes to the
+worst; you are mistress here. This is your home."</p>
+
+<p>"If it comes to the worst? To what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if I should be found guilty ... and ... sentenced."</p>
+
+<p>"I should not stay here a minute," she cried, stamping her foot. "Not
+one minute after the trial! In this town? With that element? Not for an
+hour!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" he exclaimed, making a gesture with both hands, together with a
+slight shrug of the shoulders.</p>
+
+<p>"Where is Anderson?" she asked quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"In New York, I presume, ere this. I have not seen him."</p>
+
+<p>"Fled?"</p>
+
+<p>"The only proper thing. It's a great wonder to me<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span> that he escaped at
+all. I should have expected him torn to pieces by that mob."</p>
+
+<p>"A bungled piece of business. I imagined that he was assured of success.
+A sorry spectacle to allow them to slip from his grasp so easily."</p>
+
+<p>"Margaret, you do not understand a mob. They are as fickle as a
+weather-cock. The least attraction sways them."</p>
+
+<p>"Who did it? Have you yet learned?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. A bedraggled loafer, gifted with more talk than occupation. He was
+acquainted with the whole scheme from beginning to end, and worked upon
+their feelings with evidences of treason. The sudden mention of my name
+in connection with the plot threw cold water on the whole business. They
+were on their feet in an instant."</p>
+
+<p>"You are quite popular," was the taunt.</p>
+
+<p>"Evidently. The pass inspired them. It would defeat any purpose, and
+Anderson must have sensed it and taken his hurried departure. No one has
+since heard or seen aught of him."</p>
+
+<p>"He was a fool to drag you into this, and you were as great a fool to
+allow it."</p>
+
+<p>"Margaret, don't chide me in that manner. I did what I thought best. But
+I'm through now with these cursed Catholics and with France."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a free man now," she murmured.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean that this court-martial relieves you of any further obligation
+to the colonies," was the answer.</p>
+
+<p>"But I may still be Second in command."</p>
+
+<p>She paused to regard him. Did he continue to cherish ambitions of this
+nature; or was he attempting to jest with her?</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p><p>"You seem to forget Gates and the Congress," she said with manifest
+derision.</p>
+
+<p>"No. In spite of them."</p>
+
+<p>She lost all patience.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen! Don't flatter yourself any longer. Your cause is hopeless, as
+hopeless as the cause for which the stupid colonists are contending. You
+are now free to put an end to this strife. Go over to the enemy and
+persuade Washington and the leaders of the revolt to discuss terms."</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible!"</p>
+
+<p>"What is impossible? Simply announce your defection; accept the terms of
+His Majesty's government; and invite Adams, Franklin, Jefferson,
+Hamilton and Washington to meet you. There is the assurance of all save
+complete independence."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall wait."</p>
+
+<p>"For what? The court-martial will be against you from the start. Mark my
+words. You will be found guilty, if not actually, at least technically.
+They are determined upon revenge and they are going to have it. You saw
+the paper?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did."</p>
+
+<p>"You read the list of charges?"</p>
+
+<p>He did not answer. He had sunk into his chair and his hands were clasped
+before him. He was engaged in a detailed series of thought.</p>
+
+<p>"How many of them were artificial? Except for the first, that about the
+pass, none are worth the reading, and the first never can be proved.
+They have no evidence apart from the fanatical ravings of a drunken
+Catholic. But wait! You shall be adjudged guilty in the end. See if I am
+not correct."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p><p>"I have the right to question the composition of the court!"</p>
+
+<p>"What matter! You know the people detest you. They have hated you from
+the moment you set foot in this city. Every issue of the paper found
+some new grievance against you. And when you married me the bomb was
+exploded. You yourself know that it was the mere fact of your
+participation in this scheme that quelled it. They loathe you, I tell
+you. They hate you."</p>
+
+<p>Silence reigned in the room as she finished. His eyes were closed and he
+gave every appearance of having fallen into a deep sleep. His mind was
+keenly alert, however, and digested every word she uttered. At length he
+arose from his composure and limped to the window at the further end of
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall ask for a new command," he said quietly, "and we shall be
+removed for all time from this accursed place. I shall do service
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"Better to await developments. Attend to your trial first. Plan for the
+future later."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall obey the wishes of the people."</p>
+
+<p>"The people! A motley collection of fools! They have eyes and ears but
+no more. They know everything and can do nothing."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what to do. I...."</p>
+
+<p>"I told you what to do," she interrupted his thought and finished it for
+him. "I told you to join Anderson. I told you to go to New York and make
+overtures to General Clinton. That's what you should do. Seek respect
+and power and honor for your old age."</p>
+
+<p>"That I shall not do. Washington loves me and my people will not desert
+me to my enemies. The court-martial is the thing."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span></p><p>"As you say. But remember my prophecy."</p>
+
+<p>He turned and again sought his chair. She arose to assist him into it.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder who that fellow could be! He knew it all."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you not hear?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I have seen no one who could report to me. The details were
+missing."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever stop to think of the spy in the garden?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did."</p>
+
+<p>"That was the man, I am sure. You know his body has not been found, and
+if I am not mistaken, it was present at that meeting hall."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall learn of his identity. We shall learn."</p>
+
+<p>"Too late! Too late!"</p>
+
+<p>He again dozed off while she watched him. For several minutes they sat
+in this manner until she stole out of the room and left him alone. Soon
+he was wrapped in the arms of a gentle slumber. Some time later she
+aroused him.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AX" id="CHAPTER_AX"></a>CHAPTER X</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>A fortnight later there came to the Allison home a messenger from
+Stephen in the person of Sergeant Griffin. He appeared at the doorway
+just as the shroud of eventide was being enfolded about the landscape,
+changing its hues of green and gray to the more somber ones of blue or
+purple; just at the time when the indoor view of things is about to be
+made apparent only by the artificial beams of the tallow and dip.</p>
+
+<p>"Hail!" he said; "I have business with Matthew Allison."</p>
+
+<p>"From Stephen?" Marjorie asked with evident interest.</p>
+
+<p>He shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"The trial&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" exclaimed Marjorie. Plainly she was relieved at the nature of the
+message. Then she turned.</p>
+
+<p>"Father!" she called.</p>
+
+<p>"I am coming directly," cried Mr. Allison from the rear.</p>
+
+<p>She had clear forgotten to invite the sergeant into the room, so
+absorbed was she in the nature of the business at hand. Expectancy
+breeds cowardice. When great issues are at stake every act wears an
+awful meaning. For this reason she stood transfixed at the threshold,
+before this unexpected arrival, whom she associated with the image of
+Stephen. With the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> sudden and delightful lessening of her anxiety,
+however, she bethought herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you come in? It was stupid of me not to have asked you before."</p>
+
+<p>The sergeant acted promptly. Marjorie followed at a little distance, but
+had no sooner entered the room herself than her father came through the
+other door.</p>
+
+<p>"What news? Arnold?"</p>
+
+<p>"Found guilty," was the response.</p>
+
+<p>"The court-martial has come to an end?" asked the girl.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss. And he has been found guilty," he repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so," muttered Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>They were seated now in the parlor, the two men at opposite ends of the
+table, the girl at the side of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"They met at Morristown?" asked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. At Norris' Tavern. Major-General Howe was chairman of the court.
+Only four charges were pressed for trial: the matter of the pass; the
+affair of the wagons; the shops; and the imposition upon the militia."</p>
+
+<p>"And Arnold?"</p>
+
+<p>"He managed his own trial, and conducted his own cross-examination. He
+made an imposing spectacle as he limped before the court. The sword
+knots of Washington were about his waist and he took pains to allude to
+them several times during the defense. It was astonishing to hear his
+remarkable flow of language and his display of knowledge of military
+law. He created a wonderful impression."</p>
+
+<p>"He was found guilty, you say?" interposed Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p><p>"Technically guilty of one charge and imprudent in another," was the
+deliberate reply.</p>
+
+<p>"And sentenced?"</p>
+
+<p>"To receive a reprimand from the Commander-in-chief."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allison assented by a move of his head.</p>
+
+<p>"How did he take it?" he then asked. "I cannot imagine his proud nature
+to yield readily to rebuke."</p>
+
+<p>The visitor thought for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"His face was ashen pale; there was a haggard look upon it; the eyes
+were marked with deep circles and his step faltered as he turned on his
+heel and, without a word, made his way from the court room."</p>
+
+<p>"Were you present at the trial?" Marjorie inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss Allison."</p>
+
+<p>"Was Stephen?"</p>
+
+<p>"No." The sergeant answered mildly, smiling as he did so.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie smiled, too.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me," Mr. Allison asked. "Was the evidence conclusive?"</p>
+
+<p>"The <i>Isis</i> occupied the court to some length. It was contended that
+General Arnold had issued the pass with evil intent. The affair of the
+regiment was referred to in connection with this, but no great stress
+was brought to bear upon it because of the fear of arousing a possible
+prejudice in the minds of the court. That fact was introduced solely as
+a motive."</p>
+
+<p>Allison shook his head again.</p>
+
+<p>"It was proved," the sergeant continued, "that the <i>Isis</i> was a
+Philadelphia schooner, manned by Philadelphia men, and engaged in the
+coastwise trade. The pass itself was introduced as an exhibit, to
+support the contention that the General, while Military Governor,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span> had
+given military permission for the vessel to leave the harbor of
+Philadelphia for the port of New York, then in possession of the enemy."</p>
+
+<p>"That was proved?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, sir."</p>
+
+<p>"Was the Regiment alluded to?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But at no great length."</p>
+
+<p>"And the pass?"</p>
+
+<p>"It was there. The Regiment was the motive for the pass. The affair of
+the recruiting was scarcely mentioned."</p>
+
+<p>There was an abrupt silence.</p>
+
+<p>"What was the next charge?" Mr. Allison asked.</p>
+
+<p>"That of the wagons."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"The prosecution made a strong point. Jesse Jordan was introduced.
+Testimony was given by him to the effect that he himself had drawn back
+a train of twelve wagons loaded with stores from Egg Harbor."</p>
+
+<p>"Where?"</p>
+
+<p>"Egg Harbor. Where the traffic between the British Army and the Tories
+of the city was carried on."</p>
+
+<p>"Was this sustained?"</p>
+
+<p>"The General denied most of the accusation, but he was found imprudent
+in his actions. In regard to the other two charges, that of the shops
+and that of the militia, absolute acquittal was decided. The verdict was
+announced the following morning and the sentence was published
+immediately after adjournment."</p>
+
+<p>"He was sentenced to be reprimanded, you tell me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. By General Washington."</p>
+
+<p>"That will break Arnold's heart. He will never endure it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span></p><p>"Others were obliged to endure it," sounded a soft voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know," replied the father of the girl. "But you do not know
+General Arnold. Undoubtedly the city has the news."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said the sergeant. "I have told several. All know it ere this."</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>And what subject could possibly afford more of concern or consequence to
+the city folk than the court-martial of General Arnold! Those of the
+upper class, because of their intimate association with the man; those
+of the middle class, interested more or less in the great significance
+attached to the event itself and the influence it would exert upon the
+future; those of the lower class because of their supreme contempt for
+the erstwhile Military Governor and the biased manner of his
+administration, all, without exception, found themselves manifesting an
+uncommon interest in the progress and the issue of the trial.</p>
+
+<p>It was commonly known that General Arnold had requested a court-martial;
+but it was not so commonly understood that the matter of his guilt,
+especially his collusion with the Catholic Regiment and the matter of
+its transportation, was so intricate or profound. Stephen's speech at
+the meeting house had given the public the first inkling of the
+Governor's complicity in the affair; still this offense had been
+condoned by the many, as usually happens with the crimes of great men
+who occupy stations of honor, whose misdemeanors are often enshrouded
+and borne away into oblivion beneath the veil of expediency and interest
+of the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>common weal. A court-martial would indeed take place; but its
+verdict would be one of absolute acquittal.</p>
+
+<p>To hold court at some neutral post was just. No charge of unfairness
+could then be lodged. Nor could the personnel of the court be regarded
+as hostile to the accused, for the latter had already raised an
+objection to its composition which had been sustained and heeded. The
+charges were dealt with fairly, only four of the eight counts in the
+original indictment being allowed to come within the jurisdiction of a
+military tribunal. Even the General was permitted to conduct his own
+trial and every courtesy and attention was granted him.</p>
+
+<p>Only two charges bore any evidence of guilt. The pass was issued with
+deliberate intent. That was proved by the testimony of several witnesses
+as well as by the introduction of the pass itself. Arnold defended
+himself on the ground that there were no authorities in the city of New
+York to be offended by the entrance of the vessel, and also the fact
+that since the Commander-in-chief had lodged no complaint over the
+alleged offense to his dignity, it was logical to infer that His
+Excellency took no offense at the order. In regard to the charge of
+misuse of the government wagons, it was revealed that traffic had been
+carried on between Egg Harbor and the city of Philadelphia, and that
+full loads had been delivered to several private families of the city.
+Arnold denied any knowledge of the destination of these wagons, although
+he was aware that they were being used.</p>
+
+<p>His defense, it was learned, consisted of a long plea, in which he
+rehearsed in detail the leading events of his life. He was fond of
+alluding to his past and entertained no diffidence whatsoever in regard
+to his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> own abilities. He hoped thereby to impress the court and to
+intimidate them.</p>
+
+<p>The charges he denounced as false, malicious, and scandalous, inspired
+solely by motives of animosity and revenge. He was not accustomed to
+carry on a warfare with women, he told the court, nor did he ever bask
+in the sunshine of any one's favor. Honorable acquittal of all the
+charges brought against him was pleasantly expected by him and he looked
+forward to the day when he might share again with his fellow-soldiers
+the glory and the dangers of the war.</p>
+
+<p>But he was not acquitted, and the verdict of the court came no less as a
+surprise to the people of the city and of the nation than to the General
+himself. The following morning they met to pronounce the verdict and
+they found that on the first charge Major General Arnold had exceeded
+his rights in giving permission for a vessel to leave port without the
+knowledge of the City Authorities or of the Commander-in-chief; and as
+such he was found to have violated technically Article Five, Section
+Eighteen of the American Articles of War. The second and third charges
+were dismissed, but he was found to have been imprudent in his temporary
+use of the wagons. Because of his guilt on these two counts he was
+sentenced to receive a reprimand from His Excellency, the
+Commander-in-chief.</p>
+
+<p>He left the court room without a word.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"It is precisely what I fear most," Mr. Allison said. "If he curried
+less the favor of the public, little or naught would come of it, and the
+reprimand would end the case. But you know Arnold is a conceited man;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>
+one who carries his head high. Better to deprive him of life itself than
+to apply vinegar and gall to his parched lips."</p>
+
+<p>"His return will be hard," Sergeant Griffin observed. He, too, knew the
+character of the man.</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt if he will return. He has resigned, you know, and may dislike
+the sight of the city which witnessed his misfortune. Still this is his
+home and a man's heart is in his home regardless of its environment."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not forget Peggy," Marjorie reminded them. "I know she will never
+consent to live in the city. I know it. Dear me! The shame of it all
+would confuse her."</p>
+
+<p>"She might become accustomed to it," replied her father. "All school
+themselves to the mutations of life."</p>
+
+<p>"Not Peggy. I know her. She will not forgive. Why, I recall quite
+vividly the violence of her temper and the terror of her wrath. Her own
+aunt, with whom she was staying for a brief space, took occasion to
+reprove her for a slight indiscretion. Peggy resented the correction
+fiercely, and leaving the house at once vowed she never would set foot
+into it again. That was seven years ago. She has, to my knowledge, never
+violated that pledge."</p>
+
+<p>Her father shook his head.</p>
+
+<p>"I see it all quite clearly," continued Marjorie. "The General will
+resent the wrong; Peggy will nurture a fierce indignation. Whatever
+thoughts of revenge will come to his mind she will ably promote. Have a
+care to her; her wrath will know no mitigation."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p><p>"He never expected the verdict," the sergeant remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"How did he appear?" asked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"Splendid. As he entered the court he laughed and jested with several
+officers with all the self-possession of one of the eye-witnesses.
+Flashes of the old-time energy and courage were manifest at intervals.
+There was jubilation displayed on his every feature."</p>
+
+<p>"He was jocose, you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Extremely so."</p>
+
+<p>"Was this before the trial?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. As he entered the Tavern."</p>
+
+<p>"Was Peggy with him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed. It was not permissible for her to enter. She awaited him
+outside."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet he maintained his composure throughout."</p>
+
+<p>"He seemed to take delight in relating the resolutions of Congress, its
+thanks, its gifts, for the many campaigns and the brilliant services
+rendered his country. His promotions, his horse, his sword, his epaulets
+and sword-knots, all were recounted and recited enthusiastically."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allison looked at Marjorie and smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Only once did he lose his self-possession. Near the end of his plea he
+forgot himself and called his accusers a lot of 'women.' This produced a
+smile throughout the court room; then he regained his composure."</p>
+
+<p>He paused.</p>
+
+<p>"That was all?" asked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"I think so. The court adjourned for the day. On the following morning
+the verdict was announced. I came here direct."</p>
+
+<p>When he had finished he sat quite still. It was <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>approaching a late hour
+and he saw that he had overstayed his leave. Still the gravity of the
+occasion required it.</p>
+
+<p>It was these thoughts regarding the future, far more than any great
+poignancy of grief respecting General Arnold and his present misfortune,
+that affected this small group. It seemed to them that the events which
+had of late happened were not without grave and serious consequence.
+General Arnold was a man of prominence and renown. To lead such a figure
+to the bar of justice and to examine and determine there in a definite
+manner his guilt before the whole world was a solemn piece of business.
+It meant that the new republic was fearless in its denunciation of
+wrong; that it was intent upon the exercise of those precepts of justice
+and equity which were written into the bill of rights, the violation of
+which by a foreign power had constituted originally a set of true
+grievances; and that it was actuated by a solemn resolution never to
+permit within its own borders the commission of any of those wrongs
+which it had staked its life and consecrated its purpose as a nation to
+destroy. General Arnold was a big man, generous in service to his
+country, honored as one of its foremost sons, but he was no bigger than
+the institution he was helping to rear. The chastisement inflicted upon
+him was a reflection upon the state; but it also was a medication for
+its own internal disorders.</p>
+
+<p>The fact that the ruling powers of the city were bitterly opposed to the
+Military Governor was not wholly indicative of the pulse of the people.
+General Arnold was ever regarded with the highest esteem by the members
+of the army. A successful leader, a brave soldier, a genial comrade, he
+was easily the most<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span> beloved general after General Washington. With the
+citizen body of Philadelphia he was on fairly good terms,&mdash;popular
+during the early days of his administration, although somewhat offensive
+of late because of his indiscretion and impetuosity. Still he was not
+without his following, and whereas he had made himself odious to a great
+number of people by his manner of life and of command, there were a
+greater number of people who were ready to condone his faults out of
+regard for his brilliant services in the past.</p>
+
+<p>His enemies gloated over his misfortune. Everybody believed that, and it
+was commonly understood that General Arnold believed it, too. But would
+he overcome his enemies by retrieving the past and put to shame their
+vulgar enthusiasm by rising to heights of newer and greater glory? Or
+would he yield to the more natural propensities of retaliation or
+despair? A man is no greater than the least of his virtues; but he who
+has acquired self-control has founded a virtuous inheritance.</p>
+
+<p>With thoughts of this nature were the trio occupied. For several minutes
+no one spoke. Mr. Allison leaned against the table, his right arm
+extended along its side, playing with a bodkin that lay within reach;
+the sergeant sat in silence, watching the face of his entertainer; while
+Marjorie lolled in her great chair, her eyes downcast, heavy, like two
+great weights. At length Sergeant Griffin made as if to go. Marjorie
+arose at once to bid him adieu.</p>
+
+<p>"You said you came direct?" she reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss Allison."</p>
+
+<p>"You saw&mdash;&mdash;" she hesitated, but quickly added, "Captain Meagher?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p><p>She would have said "Stephen" but bethought herself.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Miss. Not since the trial."</p>
+
+<p>"He was not present?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. He is with His Excellency. Several days ago I saw him and he bade
+me come here with the report of the finding."</p>
+
+<p>"That was all?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Miss."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. We can never repay your kindness."</p>
+
+<p>"Its performance was my greatest delight."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. Good night!"</p>
+
+<p>She withdrew into the hall.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_AXI" id="CHAPTER_AXI"></a>CHAPTER XI</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>More sin is attributed to the ruling passion of a man than to the
+forbidden pleasures of the world, or the violent assaults of the Evil
+One. Under its domination and tyranny the soul suffers shipwreck and
+destruction on the rocks of despair and final impenitence. It frequently
+lies buried beneath the most imperturbable countenance, manifesting
+itself only at times, often on the occasion of some unusual joy or
+sadness. It responds to one antidote; but the antidote requires a man of
+coarse fiber for its self-administration.</p>
+
+<p>In this respect General Arnold was not a strong man. If he had acted
+upon himself wholly from without, as if he were not himself, and had
+cultivated a spirit of humility and abnegation of self, together with a
+considerateness and softness of manner towards those at whose hands he
+had suffered, he would have stifled his pangs of wounded pride and
+self-love, and emerged a victor over himself in the contest. He might
+have recognized his own imperfections to a tolerable degree which would
+have disinclined him to censoriousness, not to say rashness. By
+maintaining an evenness of temper and equality of spirits during the
+days of his sore affliction, he might have reconsidered his decisions of
+haste and ultimate disaster,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> and be led to the achievement of newer and
+nobler triumphs.</p>
+
+<p>But he did not. Instead he gave way at once to a violence of anger which
+was insurmountable. There was engendered within him feelings of revenge
+of the most acrid nature. His self-love had been humiliated and crushed
+before the eyes of a garrulous world. His vanity and his prestige had
+been ground in the dust. There was no consideration save the
+determination for an immediate and effectual revenge.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't worry, my dear," Peggy had whispered to him on the way home. "Try
+not to think of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Think of it?... God! I'll show them. They'll pay for this."</p>
+
+<p>Apart from that he had not spoken to her during the entire journey.
+Morose, sullen, brutal, he had nursed his anger until his countenance
+fairly burned from the tension within. He slammed the door with
+violence; he tore the epaulets from his shoulders and threw them beyond
+the bed; he ripped his coat and kicked it across the floor. No! He would
+not eat. He wanted to be alone. Alone with himself, alone with his
+wrath, alone with his designs for revenge.</p>
+
+<p>"The cowards! And I trusted them."</p>
+
+<p>He could not understand his guilt. There was no guilt, only the
+insatiable lust on the part of his enemies for vengeance. The execution
+came first, then the trial. There was no accusation; he had been
+condemned from the start. The public, at whose hands he had long
+suffered, who reviled and oppressed him with equal vehemence, who had
+elevated him to the topmost niche of glory, and as promptly crumbled the
+column beneath his feet and allowed him to crash to the ground, now
+gloated over their ruined and <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>heartbroken victim with outrageous
+jubilation. They were on destruction bent, and he the victim of their
+stupid spite.</p>
+
+<p>If he could not understand his culpability, neither could he apprehend
+fully and vividly the meaning of his sentence. To be reprimanded by the
+Commander-in-chief! Better to be found guilty by the court and inflicted
+with the usual military discipline. His great sense of pride could not,
+would not suffer him to be thus humiliated at the hands of him from whom
+he had previously been rewarded with so many favors, and in whom he had
+lodged his most complete esteem and veneration. He could not endure it,
+that was all; and what was more he would not.</p>
+
+<p>He decided to leave the city forever. Then the howl of contumely could
+not pursue him; it would grow faint with the distance. He was no longer
+Military Governor, and never would he reassume that thankless burden. He
+would retire to private life far removed from the savage envy of these
+aspiring charlatans. Unhappy memories and wretched degradation would
+close his unhappy days and shroud his name with an unmerited and unjust
+obloquy.</p>
+
+<p>His wife had been correct in her prognostications. The court, like the
+public mind, which it only feebly reflected, had been prejudiced against
+him from the start. The disgust which he entertained of the French
+Alliance was only intensified the more by the recent proceedings of
+Congress, and perhaps he might listen more attentively now to her
+persuasions to go over to the British side. He would be indemnified, of
+course; but it was revenge he was seeking, on which account he would not
+become an ordinary deserter. He had been accustomed to playing heroic
+r&ocirc;les, and he would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span> not become a mere villain now at this important
+juncture. This blundering Congress would be overwhelmed by the part he
+would play in his new career, and he would carry back in triumph his
+country to its old allegiance.</p>
+
+<p>Gradually his anger resolved itself into vindictive machination, which
+grew in intensity as it occupied him the more. He might obtain the
+command of the right wing of the American army, and at one stroke
+accomplish what George Monk had achieved for Charles the Second. It was
+not so heinous a crime to change sides in a civil war, and history has
+been known to reward the memory of those who performed such daring and
+desperate exploits. His country will have benefited by his signal
+effort, and his enemies routed at the same time in the shame of their
+own confusion. He would open negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton over an
+assumed name to test the value of his proposals.</p>
+
+<p>"They'll pay me before I am through. I shall endure in history, with the
+Dukes of Albemarle and Marlborough."</p>
+
+<p>As he mused over the condition of affairs and the possibilities of the
+situation, he wandered into the great room, where he saw two letters
+lying on the center table. Picking them up, he saw that one was
+addressed to Mrs. Arnold, the other to himself. He tore open his letter
+and read the signature. It bore the name of John Anderson.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>The writer went on to say that he had arrived in safety in the city of
+New York, after a hurried and forced departure from Philadelphia. The
+meeting<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span> was terminated in a tumult because of the deliberate and
+fortunate appeal of an awkward mountebank, who was possessed with a fund
+of information which was fed to the crowd both skillfully and
+methodically; and by the successful coupling of the name of General
+Arnold with the proposed plot, had overwhelmed the minds of the assembly
+completely.</p>
+
+<p>He revealed the fact that the members of the court had already bound
+themselves in honor to prefer charges against General Arnold in order
+that the powerful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania might be placated. He did
+not know the result of the trial, but predicted that there would be but
+one verdict and that utterly regardless of the evidence.</p>
+
+<p>"Hm!" muttered Arnold to himself.</p>
+
+<p>The British Government, he added, was already in communication with the
+American Generals, with the exception of Washington, and was desirous of
+opening correspondence with General Arnold. Every one knew that he was
+the bravest and the most deserving of the American leaders and should be
+the Second in Command of the rebel forces. The British knew, too, of the
+indignities which had been heaped upon him by an unappreciative and
+suspicious people, and they recommended that some heroic deed be
+performed by him in the hope of bringing this unnecessary and bloody
+contest to a close.</p>
+
+<p>Seven thousand pounds would be offered at once, together with an equal
+command, in the army of His Majesty, and with a peerage in the realm. In
+return he would be asked to exert his influence in favor of an amicable
+adjustment of the difficulties between the colonies and the mother
+country. General Clinton was ready to begin negotiations after the
+advice and under<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span> the conditions proposed by General Arnold, which might
+be interchanged by means of a correspondence maintained with a certain
+ambiguity.</p>
+
+<p>"Egad!" He set his lips; then he turned to the beginning of the
+paragraph. The offer was interesting.</p>
+
+<p>Anderson then went on to relate what already had been suggested to him
+during the night of their conversation in the park at his magnificent
+home, the exigencies of the country, the opportunity for a master stroke
+at the hands of a courageous man, who would unite His Majesty's people
+under a common banner, and who might command thereby the highest honors
+of life.</p>
+
+<p>He reminded him that it was possible to obtain a command of the right
+wing of the American Army, a post only commensurate with his ability,
+which command might be turned against the rebel forces in the hope that
+an immediate end might be made of the fratricidal war. There would be no
+humiliating peace terms. There would be no indemnities, no reprisals, no
+annexations nor disavowals. The principles for which the colonists
+contended would be granted, with the sole exception of complete
+independence. They would have their own Parliament; they would be
+responsible for their own laws, their own taxes, their own trade. It
+would be a consummation devoutly desired by both parties, and the
+highest reward and honor awaited the American General who bound himself
+to the effectual realization of these views.</p>
+
+<p>"Announce your defection, return to the royal cause, agree to the terms
+which His Majesty's peace commissioners will make, and earn the
+everlasting gratitude of your countrymen, like Monk and Churchill."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p><p>So the letter concluded with the humble respects and obediences of John
+Anderson. Arnold did not fold it, but continued to stare at it for
+several minutes, as if trying to decide upon some definite course of
+action in regard to it. At length he arose and limped to the desk, and,
+drawing out from its small drawer several sheets of paper, began his
+reply.</p>
+
+<p>But he did not conclude it. Hearing footfalls in the hallway, he hastily
+folded the several papers, Anderson's letter included, and stuck them
+into his breast pocket. He sat motionless, with the pen poised in his
+hand, as Peggy entered.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"You here?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>He did not reply, nor make any movement.</p>
+
+<p>"Another resignation? or applying for a new command?"</p>
+
+<p>He now turned full about and faced her.</p>
+
+<p>"No. I was just thinking."</p>
+
+<p>"Of what?"</p>
+
+<p>She stood before him, her arms akimbo.</p>
+
+<p>"Of many things. First of all we must leave here."</p>
+
+<p>"When?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know."</p>
+
+<p>"Well then, where?"</p>
+
+<p>"To New York."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean it?"</p>
+
+<p>Now she sat down, pulling a chair near to him in order that she might
+converse the more readily.</p>
+
+<p>"I am thinking of writing for a new command in the army."</p>
+
+<p>He thought best not to tell her of his original <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>purpose in writing, nor
+of the letter which he had received from Anderson. Whatever foul schemes
+he may have concocted, he did not desire to acquaint her with their full
+nature. Enough for her to know that he intended to defect without her
+being a party to the plot.</p>
+
+<p>"Did I interrupt you? Pardon me!" she made as if to go.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay. That can wait. You were right. They were against me."</p>
+
+<p>"I felt it all the time. You know yourself how they despise you."</p>
+
+<p>"But I never thought&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"What?" was the interruption. "You never thought? You did, but you were
+not man enough to realize it. Reed would stop at nothing, and if the
+colonists gain complete independence, the Catholic population will give
+you no peace. That you already know. You have persecuted them."</p>
+
+<p>"What are they? A bare twenty or twenty-five thousand out of a
+population of, let us say, three million."</p>
+
+<p>"No matter. They will grow strong after the war. Unfortunately they have
+stuck true to the cause."</p>
+
+<p>"Bah! I despise them. It is the others, the Congress, Lincoln, Gates,
+Lee, Wayne. They will acquire the honors. Washington will be king."</p>
+
+<p>"And you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'm going to change my post."</p>
+
+<p>She smiled complacently, and folded her arms.</p>
+
+<p>"Under Washington?"</p>
+
+<p>She knew better, but she made no attempt to conceal her feigned
+simplicity.</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her without comment.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p><p>Whether he shrunk from unfolding to her the sickening details of his
+despicable plan, or whether he judged it sufficient for her to know only
+the foul beginnings of his treason without being initiated into its
+wretched consummation; whether it was due to any of these reasons or
+simply to plain indifference or perhaps to both, he became unusually
+silent on this subject from this moment onward. It was enough for her to
+realize that he had been shabbily treated by the Congress and by the
+people, that he had long considered the American cause hopeless and had
+abandoned his interest in it on account of the recent alliance with the
+government of France. In her eyes he thought it would be heroic for him
+to resign his command, and even to defect to the side of the enemy on
+these grounds,&mdash;on the strength of steadfastly adhering to his ancient
+principles. He knew well that she had counseled such a step and was
+enthusiastic in urging its completion, nevertheless he sensed that the
+enormity and the depravity of his base design was too revolting, too
+shocking, for even her ears. He would not even acquaint her with
+Anderson's letter nor with the purpose he had of concurring with the
+proposition it contained.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you receive a letter from Anderson?" she asked suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He wrote to inform me that he had escaped in safety and is now in
+New York."</p>
+
+<p>"No more?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. He did comment on the frustration of the plot, and expressed a
+desire to learn the identity of the disturber."</p>
+
+<p>"You will tell him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Later. Not now."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p><p>There was a pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you intend to take active part in the coming campaigns? You know
+your leg will prevent you from leading a strenuous life in the field.
+Why not ask for some other post, or retire to private life? I want to
+get out of this city."</p>
+
+<p>"I am about to write for a new command. I have one friend left in the
+person of His Excellency, and he will not leave me 'naked to mine
+enemies,' as the great Wolsey once said."</p>
+
+<p>"But he is to reprimand you," she reminded him.</p>
+
+<p>"No matter. That is his duty. I blame the people and the court which was
+enslaved to them for my humiliation. They shall pay for it, however."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us leave together. Announce your desire of joining arms with the
+British and let us set out at once for New York. Mr. Anderson will take
+care of the details. You know his address?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"You have fought the war alone; end it alone. Settle your claims with
+the government and let us sell our house."</p>
+
+<p>"Our house? This is yours, Margaret, and, by God, they shall not deprive
+you of it. No! We will not sell our house. This is yours for life, and
+our children's."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we can rent it for the present. For, if you go, I am going, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. We shall see what the future holds out for us. Give me that
+stool."</p>
+
+<p>He pointed to the small chair over against her. She arose at once and
+set it before him. He placed his foot upon it.</p>
+
+<p>"When I think of what I have done for them and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> then compare their
+gratitude. Congress must owe me at least six or seven thousand pounds,
+not to mention my life's blood which never can be replaced. I have been
+a fool, a fool who does not know his own mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Didn't I predict what the outcome would be? I felt this from the moment
+Anderson left. And what were you charged with? A technical violation of
+the code of war. There was no actual guilt nor any evidence in support
+of the charge. Were the least shadow of a fault in evidence, you may be
+assured that it would have been readily found. You were innocent of the
+charge. But you were technically guilty that they might plead excuse for
+their hate."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, girl ... I know it ... I see it all now. I tried hard to
+disbelieve it." He seemed sad, as he muttered his reply and slowly shook
+his head.</p>
+
+<p>He was still for a moment and then sat suddenly upright.</p>
+
+<p>"But by the living God!" It was surprising how quickly he could pass
+from mood to mood. Now the old-time fire gleamed in his eyes. Now the
+unrestrained, impetuous, passionate General, the intrepid, fearless
+leader of Quebec, Ridgefield, Saratoga, revealed himself with all his
+old-time energy and determination of purpose.</p>
+
+<p>"By the living God!" he repeated with his hand high in the air, his fist
+clenched, "They shall pay me double for every humiliation, for every
+calumny, for every insult I have had to endure. They sought cause
+against me; they shall find it."</p>
+
+<p>"Hush! My dear," cautioned Peggy, "not so loud. The servants will
+overhear you."</p>
+
+<p>"The world shall overhear me before another month. Revenge knows no
+limit and is a sweet <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>consolation to a brave man. I shall shame this
+profligate Congress, and overwhelm my enemies with no mean
+accomplishment, but with an achievement worthy of my dignity and power.
+They shall pay me. Ha! they shall; by God! They shall."</p>
+
+<p>Peggy arose at his violent outbreak, fearing lest she might antagonize
+him the more. It was useless to talk further, for he was enraged to a
+point beyond all endurance. She would leave him alone, hoping that he
+would recover his normal state again.</p>
+
+<p>She walked to the window as if to look out. Then she turned and vanished
+through the doorway into the hall.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>Several days later a courier rode up to the door and summoned General
+Arnold before him, into whose care he delivered a letter from the
+Headquarters of the Commander-in-chief. Strangely excited, the General
+failed to perceive the identity of the messenger as he saluted and made
+the usual brief inquiries. Only after the courier was well down the road
+did the memory of his strangely familiar face recur to him. But he was
+too preoccupied with the document to give him any more attention.
+Breaking the seal he scanned the introductory addresses and read his
+reprimand from his Commander-in-chief, a reprimand couched in the
+tenderest language, a duty performed with the rarest delicacy and tact.</p>
+
+<p>"Our profession is the chastest of all," it read. "Even the shadow of a
+fault tarnishes the luster of our finest achievements. The least
+inadvertence may rob us of the public favor so hard to be acquired. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span>
+reprimand you for having forgotten that, in proportion as you have
+rendered yourself formidable to our enemies, you should have been
+guarded and temperate in your deportment towards your fellow citizens.
+Exhibit anew those noble qualities which have placed you on the list of
+our most valued commanders. I myself will furnish you, as far as it may
+be in my power, with opportunities of regaining the esteem of your
+country."</p>
+
+<p>Slipping it again into its envelope, he slammed the door.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span></p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h2><a name="PART_THREE" id="PART_THREE"></a>PART THREE</h2>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BI" id="CHAPTER_BI"></a>CHAPTER I</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>In one of those wide indentations along the eastern shore of the
+Schuylkill River, there opens out in tranquil seclusion a spacious cove.
+The waters wander here to rest, it seems, before resuming their
+voluminous descent to the Delaware and the sea. Trees and saplings
+wrapped about with close-clinging vines hang far over the water's edge
+like so many silent sentinels on guard before the spot, their luxuriant
+foliage weighing their bending twigs almost to the surface. Green
+lily-pads and long ribboned water grass border the water's curve, and
+toss gently in the wind ripples as they glide inwards with just murmur
+enough to lull one to quiet and repose.</p>
+
+<p>Into this scene, placid, clear, though of a deep and dark green under
+the overhanging leaves, stole a small canoe with motion enough scarcely
+to ruffle the top of the water. A paddle noiselessly dipped into the
+undisturbed surface and as noiselessly emerged again, leaving behind
+only a series of miniature eddies where the waters had closed after
+their penetration. A small white hand, hanging lazily over the forward
+side of the tiny craft, played in the soft, limpid water, and made a
+furrow along the side of the boat that glistened like so many strings of
+sparkling jewels.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span></p><p>"So you are going away again tomorrow?" Marjorie was saying as she
+continued to dabble in the water.</p>
+
+<p>She lay partly reclining in the bow of the canoe, her back supported by
+a pillow. A meditative silence enshrouded her as she lay listless,
+unconcerned to all appearances, as to her whereabouts or destination.
+The while she thought, the more steadily she gazed at the waters as she
+splashed them gently and playfully. Like a caress the silence of the
+place descended upon her, and brought home to her the full import of her
+loneliness.</p>
+
+<p>"In view of what you have disclosed to me, I think it only my duty,"
+Stephen replied as he lazily stroked the paddle.</p>
+
+<p>Again there was silence.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you weren't going," she finally murmured.</p>
+
+<p>He looked straight at her, holding his arm motionless for the space of a
+moment.</p>
+
+<p>"It is good of you to say that," was the measured reply. "This has been
+a most delightful day, and I have enjoyed this glimpse of you very
+much."</p>
+
+<p>Raising her eyes she thanked him with a look.</p>
+
+<p>"You must remember that it has been due to no fault of mine that I have
+seen so little of you," he continued.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor mine," came back the whisper.</p>
+
+<p>"True," he said. "Events have moved so rapidly during the past month
+that I was enabled to keep abreast of them only with the greatest
+difficulty."</p>
+
+<p>"I daresay we all are proud of your achievement."</p>
+
+<p>"God has been good to us. I must thank you, too."</p>
+
+<p>"Me?" She grinned with contempt. "I am sure<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span> when the truth is known
+that I shall be found more an instrument of evil than of good."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would not say that."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot say otherwise, for I know it to be true."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not depreciate your efforts. They have been invaluable to me.
+Remember, it was you who greatly confirmed my suspicions of Anderson. I
+did acquire some facts myself; but it was due to the information which
+you imparted to me that I was enabled to join together several ambiguous
+clews."</p>
+
+<p>"Really?"</p>
+
+<p>"And you must remember that it was through your co&ouml;peration that my
+attention was first drawn to General Arnold."</p>
+
+<p>"You suspected him before our conversation. You, yourself, heard it from
+his own lips in the garden."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I did. But the note!"</p>
+
+<p>"What note?"</p>
+
+<p>"The note you gave me to read."</p>
+
+<p>"Peggy's letter which I found at her house?"</p>
+
+<p>"The same. Have I never told you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never!" was the slow response. "You know you returned it to me without
+comment."</p>
+
+<p>He was puzzled. For he wondered how he had failed to acquaint her with
+so important an item.</p>
+
+<p>"When you allowed me to take that letter you furnished me with my first
+clew."</p>
+
+<p>She aroused herself and looked seriously at him.</p>
+
+<p>"I?... Why.... I never read it. What did it contain? I had supposed it
+to be a personal letter."</p>
+
+<p>"And so it was,&mdash;apparently. It proved to be a letter from one of
+Peggy's New York friends."</p>
+
+<p>"A Mischienza friend, undoubtedly."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span></p><p>"Yes, Captain Cathcart. But it contained more. There was a cipher
+message."</p>
+
+<p>"In cipher?" Then after a moment. "Did she know of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am inclined to think that she did. Otherwise it would not have been
+directed to her."</p>
+
+<p>This was news indeed. No longer did she recline against the seat of the
+canoe, but raised herself upright.</p>
+
+<p>"How did you ever discover it?"</p>
+
+<p>"My first reading of the note filled me with suspicion. Its tone was too
+impersonal. When I asked for it, I was impelled by the sole desire to
+study it the more carefully at my own leisure. That night I found
+certain markings over some of the letters. These I jotted down and
+rearranged until I had found the hidden message."</p>
+
+<p>She gazed at him in wonder.</p>
+
+<p>"It was directed to her, I presume, because of her friendship with the
+Military Governor; and carried the suggestion that His Excellency be
+interested in the proposed formation of the Regiment. From that moment
+my energies were directed to one sole end. I watched Arnold and those
+whom he was wont to entertain. Eventually the trail narrowed down to
+Peggy and Anderson."</p>
+
+<p>She drew a deep breath, but said nothing.</p>
+
+<p>"The night I played the spy in the park my theory was confirmed."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you told me of that incident. It was not far from here."</p>
+
+<p>She turned to search the distance behind her.</p>
+
+<p>"No. Just down the shore behind his great house."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span> He pointed with his
+finger in the direction of Mount Pleasant.</p>
+
+<p>"And Peggy was a party to the conspiracy!" she exclaimed with an audible
+sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"She exercised her influence over Arnold from the start. She and
+Anderson were in perfect accord."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry. She has disappointed me greatly."</p>
+
+<p>"She has a very pretty manner and a most winsome expression; but she is
+extremely subtle and fully accomplished in all manner of artifice. She
+was far too clever for your frank simplicity."</p>
+
+<p>"I never suspected her for an instant."</p>
+
+<p>"It was she who set the trap for Arnold; it was she who made it possible
+for Anderson to rise to the heights of favor and influence; it was she
+who encouraged her husband in his misuse of authority; and I venture to
+say, it was she who rendered effective the degree of friendship which
+began to exist between yourself and this gentleman."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie blushed at the irony.</p>
+
+<p>They were drifting above the cove in the slowest manner. Only
+occasionally did he dip the paddle into the water to change the course
+of the little craft, or to push it ahead a little into the more shaded
+places. Marjorie did not assist in this, for he desired her to sit in
+the bow facing him, while he, himself, essayed the task of paddler.
+There was little of exertion, however, for the two had no other object
+in view than the company of their own selves. And so they drifted
+aimlessly about the stream.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think that I ought to leave tomorrow for White Plains to confer
+with His Excellency."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be the last to hinder you in the performance of duty. By all
+means, go."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span></p><p>"Of course it may be no more than a suspicion, but if you are sure of
+what Anderson said, then I think that the matter should be brought to
+the attention of the Commander-in-chief."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, you understand that Mr. Anderson told me nothing definite.
+But he did hint that General Arnold should be placed in command of a
+more responsible post in the American army; and that steps should be
+taken to have him promoted to the Second in Command."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen thought for a minute.</p>
+
+<p>"That sounds innocent enough. But you must remember that events have
+come to light in the past fortnight which for months had lain concealed
+in the minds of these two men. Who knows but what this was included in
+their nefarious scheme. I am uneasy about it all, and must see the
+chief."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will come back?"</p>
+
+<p>"At once unless prevented by a detail to a new field. I am subject at
+all times to the will of my leader."</p>
+
+<p>Her face fell.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>The solemn stillness, the almost noiseless motion of the boat, the livid
+shades surrounding the place, all contributed to the mood of pensiveness
+and meditation which was rapidly stealing upon them. The very silence of
+the cove was infectious. Marjorie felt it almost immediately, and
+relaxed without a murmur.</p>
+
+<p>A stream of thoughts began to course in continuous procession through
+her mind, awakening there whatever latent images lay buried in her
+memory, and fashioning new ideas and seemingly possible situations<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> from
+her experiences of the past year. Now she suddenly discovered her former
+interest quickened to a violent degree. She was living over again the
+memories of the happy hours of other days.</p>
+
+<p>Certainly Stephen was as constant as ever. To her discerning eye his
+manner of action conveyed no other impression. But he was the same
+enigma, however, as far as the communication of thought was concerned,
+and she knew no more of his pleasures and desires than she did of the
+inspirations of his soul.</p>
+
+<p>It was the first time in months she had seen and taken delight in his
+own old self. Never had he been so attentive quite as John Anderson, nor
+so profuse in his protestations, nor so ready with his apologies. And
+what was more she did not expect him to be. But he was more sincere when
+it came to a question of unfolding one's own convictions, more engaging
+where will-power, propriety, performance of duty, were concerned. He
+alone possessed the rule to which all, in her own mind, were obliged to
+conform. And so she was compelled to admire him.</p>
+
+<p>These fond memories suffered an interruption by a vision of the extreme
+disquietude produced upon Stephen by her unfortunate acquaintanceship
+with Mr. Anderson. And yet she had been profoundly sincere with herself.
+Never had she conveyed the impression to any man that she had given him
+a second sobering thought. Her home constituted for her a chief delight,
+her home, her devoted mother, her fond father. Peggy had been her sole
+companion previous to her marriage with the Governor; and whatever men
+she had met with were they who composed the gay assemblies at which her
+friend was the pretty hostess and she the invited guest. As far as
+Anderson was concerned,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> and Stephen, for that matter, she doubted if
+she had been in the company of either more than a dozen times in the
+course of her life. Certainly not enough to know either of them
+intimately.</p>
+
+<p>Of the two men who had effected the most complete entr&eacute;e into her
+society, Stephen had, unquestionably, impressed her the more favorably.
+For a time he seemed too far removed from her; and she failed to
+experience that sense of proportion between them so necessary for mutual
+regard. Perhaps it was due to this negation, or perhaps it was owing to
+her modest reserve, or perhaps to both, that whatever familiar
+intercourse, sympathy or affinity ought to have existed was naturally
+excluded. True friendship requires a certain equality, or at least a
+feeling of proportion between those whom it would bind together. And
+this she felt had not prevailed.</p>
+
+<p>She did not pause to consider the correctness or the incorrectness of
+her inference. It was quite enough for her to know that this spirit of
+inequality existed. In his presence, however, she felt at perfect ease,
+wholly oblivious of everything save her own happiness, as she could now
+bear witness to, but alone with her thoughts the horrible imagining
+forced itself upon her and served to widen perceptibly the gulf between
+them. Reflection disconcerted her.</p>
+
+<p>Happily, her enterprise respecting Anderson and his nefarious scheme had
+terminated successfully. Happily, too, Stephen's misconstruction of the
+affair had been corrected. No longer would he doubt her. Their fortunes
+had approached the crisis. It came. Anderson had fled town; Arnold and
+Peggy were removed from their lives perhaps for ever. Stephen was with
+her now and she experienced a sense of happiness <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>beyond all human
+estimation. She would she could read his mind to learn there his own
+feelings. Was he, too, conscious of the same delights? A reciprocal
+feeling was alone necessary to complete the measure of her joy. But he
+was as non-communicative as ever, totally absorbed in this terrible
+business that obsessed him. Her riddle, she feared, would remain
+unanswered. Patriotism, it seemed, was more pressing than love.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>The canoe had drifted nearer to the shore. At Stephen's suggestion she
+aroused herself from her lethargy and alighted on the bank. He soon
+followed, drawing the canoe on to the shore a little to prevent its
+wandering away. Marjorie walked through the grass, stooping to pick here
+and there a little flower which lay smiling at her feet. Stephen stood
+to one side and looked after her.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"Stephen," she asked, as she returned to him and stood for a moment
+smiling straight at him, "will you tell me something?"</p>
+
+<p>"Anything you ask," he assured her. "What do you wish to know?"</p>
+
+<p>But she did not inquire further. Her eyes were fixed in earnest
+attention upon the flowers which she began to arrange into a little bouquet.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you still vexed with me?"</p>
+
+<p>There! It was out. She looked at him coquettishly.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie!" he exclaimed. "What ever caused you to say that?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span></p><p>"I scarce know," she replied. "I suppose I just thought so, that was
+all."</p>
+
+<p>"Would I be here now?" He tried to assure her with a tone of sincerity.
+"One need not hear a man speak to learn his mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. But I thought&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He seized hold of her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," he said. "Won't you sit down while I tell you?"</p>
+
+<p>She accepted his offer and allowed herself to be assisted.</p>
+
+<p>"You thought that I was displeased with you on account of John
+Anderson," he remarked as he took his place by her side. "Am I correct?"</p>
+
+<p>She did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"And you thought, perhaps, that I scorned you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no! Not that! I did not think that ... I ... I...."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, that I lost all interest in you?"</p>
+
+<p>She thought for a second. Then she smiled as if she dared not say what
+was in her mind.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen. I shall tell you. I did not reprove you with so much as a
+fault. I know well that it is next to impossible to be in the frequent
+presence of an individual without experiencing at some time some
+emotion. He becomes continually repugnant, or else exceedingly
+fascinating. The sentiments of the heart never stand still."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know,&mdash;but...."</p>
+
+<p>"I did think that you had been fascinated. I concluded that you had been
+charmed by John Anderson's manner. Because I had no desire of losing
+your good will, I did ask you to avoid him, but at the same time, I did
+not feel free enough to cast aspersions upon his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span> character and so
+change your good opinion of him. The outcome I never doubted, much as I
+was disturbed over the whole affair. I felt that eventually you would
+learn for yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"But why did you not believe in me? I tried to give you every assurance
+that I was loyal...."</p>
+
+<p>"The fault lay in my enforced absence from you, and in the nature of the
+circumstances which combined against you. I knew Anderson; but I was
+unaware of your own thought or purpose. My business led me on one
+occasion to your home where I found you ready to entertain him. The
+several other times in which I found you together caused me to think
+that you, too, had been impressed by him."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie sat silent. She was pondering deeply the while he spoke and
+attempted to understand the emotions that had fought in his heart. She
+knew very well that he was sincere in his confession, and that she had
+been the victim of circumstances; still she thanked God that the truth
+had been revealed to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Sometimes I feel as if I had been simply a tool in his hands, and that
+I had been worsted in the encounter."</p>
+
+<p>"You have had no reason to think that. You perhaps unconsciously gave
+him some information concerning the members of our faith, their number,
+their lot, their ambitions,&mdash;but you must remember, too, that he had
+given some valuable information to you in return. The man may have been
+sincere with you from the beginning."</p>
+
+<p>"No! I think neither of us were sincere. The memory of it all is
+painful; and I regret exceedingly of having had to play the part of the
+coquette."</p>
+
+<p>A great silence stole upon them. He looked out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span> over the river at the
+wavelets dancing gleefully in the sunlight, as they ran downstream with
+the current as if anxious to outstrip it to the sea. She grew tired of
+the little flowers and looked about to gather others. Presently she
+bethought herself and took from her bodice what appeared to be a golden
+locket. Stephen, attracted by her emotion, saw the trinket at once, its
+bright yellow frame glistening in the sun.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you ever seen this?" she asked as she looked at it intently.</p>
+
+<p>He extended his hand in anticipation. She gave it to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Beautiful!" he exclaimed. "How long have you had this?"</p>
+
+<p>"About a year," she replied nonchalantly, and clasped her hands about
+her knees.</p>
+
+<p>He leaned forward and continued to study it for the longest time. He
+held it near to him and then at arm's length. Then he looked at her.</p>
+
+<p>"It is beautiful," he repeated. "It is a wonderful likeness, and yet I
+should say that it does not half express the winsomeness of your
+countenance." He smiled generously at her blushes as he returned it to
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"It was given me by John Anderson," she declared.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a treasure. And it is richly set."</p>
+
+<p>"He painted it himself and brought it to me after that night at
+Peggy's."</p>
+
+<p>"I always said that he possessed extraordinary talents. I should keep
+that as a commemoration of your daring enterprise."</p>
+
+<p>"Never. I purpose to destroy all memory of him."</p>
+
+<p>"You have lost nothing, and have gained what books<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span> cannot unfold.
+Observation and experience are the prime educators."</p>
+
+<p>"But exceedingly severe."</p>
+
+<p>"Come," said Stephen. "Let us not allude to him again. It grieves you.
+He has passed from your life forever."</p>
+
+<p>"Forever!" she repeated.</p>
+
+<p>And as if by a mighty effort she drew back her arm and flung the
+miniature far from her in the direction of the river. On a sudden there
+was a splash, a gulp of the waters, and a little commotion as they
+hurriedly came together and folded over their prey.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie!" he shouted making an attempt to restrain her. It was too
+late.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>She displayed her empty hands and laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Forever!" she repeated, opening her arms with a telling gesture. "I
+never should have accepted it, but I was strangely fascinated by it, I
+suppose."</p>
+
+<p>For the moment neither spoke; he felt as if he could not speak; and she
+looked like a child, her cheeks aglow with the exertion, and her eyes
+alight with merriment. Stephen looked intently at her and as she
+perceived his look, a very curious change came across her face. He saw
+it at once, although he did not think of it until afterwards.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie," he said as he moved nearer to her and slipped his arm very
+gently about her. "You must have known for the longest time, from my
+actions, from my incessant attentions, from my words, the extent of my
+feeling for you. It were idle of me to attempt to give expression to it.
+It cannot be explained. It must be perceived; and you, undoubtedly, have
+perceived it."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span></p><p>There was no response. She remained passive, her eyes on the ground,
+scarcely realizing what he was saying.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you know what I am going to say. I am very fond of you. But you
+must have felt more; some hidden voice must have whispered often to you
+that I love you."</p>
+
+<p>He drew her to him and raised both her hands to his lips.</p>
+
+<p>She remonstrated.</p>
+
+<p>"Stephen!" she said.</p>
+
+<p>He drew back sadly. She became silent, her head lowered, her eyes
+downcast, intent upon the hands in her lap. With her fingers she rubbed
+away the caress. She was thinking rapidly, yet her face betrayed no
+visible emotion, whether of joy, or surprise, or resentment. Only her
+cheek danced with a ray of sunshine, a stolen reflection from the joyous
+waves.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie," he said gently, "please forgive me. I meant no harm."</p>
+
+<p>She made a little movement as if to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I had to tell you," he continued. "I thought you understood."</p>
+
+<p>She buried her face in her hands; her frame shook violently. Stephen was
+confused a little; for he thought that she had taken offense. He
+attempted to reassure her.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie. Please.... I give you my word I shall never mention this
+subject again. I am sorry, very sorry."</p>
+
+<p>She dried her eyes and looked at her handkerchief. Then she stood up.</p>
+
+<p>"Come, let us go," he said after he had assisted her.</p>
+
+<p>They walked together towards the boat.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BII" id="CHAPTER_BII"></a>CHAPTER II</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>It has been said with more truth than poetic fancy that the descent to
+Avernus is easy. It may be said, too, with equal assurance, that once
+General Arnold had committed himself to treachery and perfidy, his story
+becomes sickening, and in the judgment of his countrymen, devoid of no
+element of horror whether in its foul beginnings or in its wretched end.
+Once his mind had been definitely committed to the treacherous purpose,
+which loomed like a beacon light before him in the shaping of his
+destiny, his descent to the depths of degradation was rapid and fatal.
+The court-martial, together with its subsequent reprimand, had been
+accepted by him with the greatest animosity. From that hour his thirst
+for vengeance knew no restraint. One thing alone was necessary to his
+evil plans: he must secure an important command in the Continental Army.</p>
+
+<p>Some time before he had asked for a change of post, or at least for a
+grant of land with permission to retire to private life, but this was
+under the inspiration of a motive of an entirely different nature. Now
+he had specifically asked for a command in the army, adding that his leg
+was quite healed and that he was fit physically for field duty. In
+entering this demand, he was actuated by a different motive&mdash;the motive
+of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span> George Monk, the Duke of Albemarle, the Commander-in-chief of the
+forces of three kingdoms.</p>
+
+<p>It is true that Washington had been devoted to him and remained faithful
+to him until the very end. To reprimand his favorite General was a
+painful duty. But it was performed with delicate and genuine tenderness.
+His Excellency had promised to do whatever lay within his power to
+enable his beloved General to recover the esteem of his fellow-men and
+he was glad to furnish him with every opportunity of effecting real and
+lasting service. He wrote him at once offering him leave of absence.
+Congress then ordered "That the sum of $25,000 be advanced to Major
+General Arnold on account of his pay." Finally a general order was
+issued by the Commander-in-chief himself appointing General Arnold
+Commander of the Right Wing of the American Army. The restoration so
+long awaited was at length achieved.</p>
+
+<p>Arnold at once began to make preparations for his departure from the
+city. His privateering ventures had been cleared up, but with profits
+barely sufficient to meet his debts. Mount Pleasant, his sole
+possession, had already been settled on his wife. His tenure of office
+had been ended some time before, and whatever documents were destined
+for preservation had been put in order pending the arrival of his
+successor.</p>
+
+<p>The plan for his defection had been evolved by him with elaborate
+detail. Never had the time been more opportune for the execution of a
+piece of business so nefarious. The country was without what could be
+called a stable form of government. It was deprived of any recognized
+means of exchange because of the total depreciation of the Continental
+currency. The British had obtained possession of the great city of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span> New
+York and were threatening to overrun the country south of the
+Susquehanna. Newport was menaced and the entire British fleet was
+prepared to move up the Hudson where, at West Point, one poorly equipped
+garrison interposed between them and the forces of General Carleton,
+which were coming down from Canada. Washington was attempting to defend
+Philadelphia and watch Clinton closely from the heights of Morristown,
+while he threatened the position of the enemy in New York from West
+Point. In all the American Commander had no more than four thousand men,
+many of whom were raw recruits, mere boys, whose services had been
+procured for nine months for fifteen hundred dollars each. Georgia and
+the Carolinas were entirely reduced and it was only a question of time
+before the junction of the two armies might be effected.</p>
+
+<p>Clinton was to attack West Point at once, in order to break down the one
+barrier which stood between his own army and the Canadian. Learning,
+however, of the rapid progress of events on the American side and more
+especially of the proposed defection of General Arnold, he suddenly
+changed his plan. He determined to attack Washington as soon as Arnold
+had been placed in command of the right wing of the main army. The
+latter was to suffer the attack to be made, but at the psychological
+moment he was to desert his Commander-in-chief in the field, and so
+effect the total destruction of the entire force.</p>
+
+<p>This was the plan which was being turned over in his mind as he sat on
+this June afternoon in the great room of his mansion. He was again clad
+in his American uniform and looked the warrior of old in his blue and
+buff and gold. Care had marked his countenance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span> with her heavy hand,
+however, and had left deep furrows across his forehead and down the
+sides of his mouth. His eyes, too, had lost their old-time flash and
+vivacity, his movements were more sluggish, his step more halting. The
+trials of the past year had left their visible tracings on him.</p>
+
+<p>He sat and stroked his chin, and deliberated. In his hand he held a
+letter, a letter without date or address or salutation. It had been
+brought to him that day by messenger from the city. He understood it
+perfectly.</p>
+
+<p>He looked at it again.</p>
+
+<p>"Knyphausen is in New Jersey," it read, "but, understanding Arnold is
+about to command the American Army in the field, Clinton will attack
+Washington at once. The bearer may be trusted.</p>
+
+<p class="right">"<span class="smcap">Anderson.</span>"</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"It is either Westminster Abbey for me or the gallows," he remarked to
+his wife that evening when they were quite alone.</p>
+
+<p>"You have no apprehensions, I hope."</p>
+
+<p>"There's many a slip&mdash;&mdash;" he quoted.</p>
+
+<p>"Come! Be an optimist. You have set your heart on it. So be brave."</p>
+
+<p>"I have never lacked courage. At Saratoga while that scapegoat Gates
+sulked in his tent, I burst from the camp on my big brown horse and rode
+like a madman to the head of Larned's brigade, my old command, and we
+took the hill. Fear? I never knew what the word meant. Dashing back to
+the center, I galloped up and down before the line. We charged twice,
+and the enemy broke and fled. Then I turned to the left<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span> and ordered
+West and Livingston with Morgan's corps to make a general assault along
+the line. Here we took the key to the enemy's position and there was
+nothing for them to do but to retreat. At the same instant one bullet
+killed my good brown horse under me and another entered my leg. But the
+battle had been won."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, my dear, the world yet lies before you."</p>
+
+<p>"I won the war for them, damn 'em, in a single battle, and
+single-handed. Lord North knew it. The Rockingham Whigs, with Burke as
+their leader, knew it and were ready to concede independence, having
+been convinced that conciliation was no longer practicable or possible.
+Richmond urged the impossibility of final conquest, and even Gibbon
+agreed that the American colonies had been lost. I accomplished all
+that, I tell you, and I received&mdash;what?&mdash;a dead horse and a wounded
+leg."</p>
+
+<p>There was a flash of the old-time general, but only a flash. It was
+evident that he was tiring easily. His old-time stamina had abandoned
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you so excite yourself?" Peggy cautioned him. "The veins are
+bulging out on your forehead."</p>
+
+<p>"When I think of it, it galls me. But I shall have my revenge," he
+gloated maliciously. "Clinton is going to attack Washington as soon as I
+have taken over my command. I shall outrival Albemarle yet."</p>
+
+<p>"We may as well prepare to leave, then."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no need of your immediate departure. You are not supposed to
+be acquainted with my designs. You must remain here. Later you can join
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"But you are going at once?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span></p><p>"Yes, I shall leave very soon now. Let me see." He paused to think. "It
+is over a week now since I was appointed. The appointment was to take
+effect immediately. I should report for duty at once."</p>
+
+<p>"And I shall meet you&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"In New York, very probably. It is too early yet to arrange for that.
+You will know where I am stationed and can remain here until I send for
+you."</p>
+
+<p>While they were still engaged in conversation, a sound became very
+audible as of a horseman ascending the driveway. A summons at the door
+announced a courier from the Commander-in-chief to Major General Arnold.
+The latter presented himself and received a packet on which had been
+stamped the seal of official business. He took the document and
+withdrew.</p>
+
+<p>It proved to be an order from His Excellency transferring the command of
+Major General Arnold on account of physical disability, which would not
+permit of service in the field, from the right wing of the American Army
+to Commander of the fortress at West Point. He was ordered to report for
+duty as soon as circumstances would permit and was again assured of His
+Excellency's highest respect and good wishes.</p>
+
+<p>He handed the letter to Peggy without a word. He sat in deep meditation
+while she hastily scanned the contents.</p>
+
+<p>"Tricked again," was her sole comment.</p>
+
+<p>He did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"This looks suspicious. Do you think he knows?"</p>
+
+<p>"No one knows."</p>
+
+<p>"What will you do now? This upsets all your plans."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. I shall accept, of course. Later, not now, we can
+decide."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span></p><p>"This means that I am going too."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so. I shall have my headquarters there, and while they may
+not be as commodious as Mount Pleasant, still I would rather have you
+with me. We shall arrange for our departure accordingly."</p>
+
+<p>"You will, of course, inform Anderson of the change?"</p>
+
+<p>"He will hear of it. The news of the appointment will travel fast enough
+you may be sure. Very likely Knyphausen will now be recalled from New
+Jersey."</p>
+
+<p>"So perishes your dream of a duchy!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"No. West Point is the most important post on the American side. It is
+the connecting link between New England and the rest of the colonies. It
+was the prize which Johnny Burgoyne was prevented from obtaining by me.
+It commands the Hudson River and opens the way to upper New York and
+Canada. It is the most strategic position in America, stored with
+immense quantities of ammunition and believed to be impregnable. Without
+doubt it is the most critical point in the American line."</p>
+
+<p>"Bah! You need an army. Albemarle had an army. Marlborough had an army.
+Of what use is a fortress with a large force still in the field? It's
+the army that counts, I tell you. Territory, forts, cities mean nothing.
+It's the size of the army that wins the war."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it, but what can I do?"</p>
+
+<p>He conceded the point.</p>
+
+<p>"Insist on your former post," she advised.</p>
+
+<p>He thought awhile and began to whistle softly to himself as he tapped
+his finger tips one against the other.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen," she continued. "There is some reason for this transfer at the
+eleventh hour. Are you dense<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span> enough not to see it? Some one has reached
+Washington's ear and whispered a secret. Else that order would never
+have been written."</p>
+
+<p>"Washington believes only what is true. Always has he trusted and
+defended me from the vilifications of my enemies, knowing that these
+reports only emanated from jealous and unscrupulous hearts. My leg has
+caused this change of command; I know it."</p>
+
+<p>She looked at him in scorn. She could not believe he could be so simple.</p>
+
+<p>"Your leg! What has your leg to do with it? Once you are astride your
+horse you are safe. And don't you think for one minute that Clinton is a
+fool. He does not want you. I dare say if the truth were known, he has
+no respect for you either. It is your command which is of value to him,
+and the more authority you can master, the more valuable you become.
+Then you can dictate your own terms instead of bargaining them away."</p>
+
+<p>"It would realize nothing to attempt a protest. A soldier asks no
+questions. Whatever I may be, I am still a soldier."</p>
+
+<p>"As you will."</p>
+
+<p>She shrugged her shoulders, and folded her arms.</p>
+
+<p>"West Point it is," she observed, "but General Clinton may reconsider
+his proposition. I would not be too sure."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure he will be satisfied with West Point. With that post he might
+easily end the war. Anderson will write me soon again. I tell you I can
+dictate to them now. You shall have your peerage after all."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Have it your own way. I know what I am about and I know where I stand.
+At first it was a question<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span> only of my personal desertion. The betrayal
+of an army was a later development. But I could not become a deserter on
+a small scale. I have been accustomed all my life to playing signal
+r&ocirc;les. If I am to sell myself at all, it shall be at the highest price
+together with the greatest prize. I have only one regret, and that is
+that I am obliged to take advantage of the confidence and respect of
+Washington to render this at all possible."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't let your heart become softened by tender condolences at this
+stage. Your mind has been set; don't swerve."</p>
+
+<p>He looked at her and wondered how she could remain so imperturbable.
+Ordinarily she burned with compassion at the sight of misery and
+affliction. He could not understand for the life of him, how stoically
+she maintained her composure throughout this ordeal. Plainly her heart
+was set on one ambition. She would be a duchess.</p>
+
+<p>But she did not know that he had maintained a continual correspondence
+with Sir Henry Clinton, or that West Point had long since been decided
+upon, as a possible contingency. Much she did know, but most of the
+details had been concealed from her. Not that he did not trust her, but
+he wished her to be no party to his nefarious work.</p>
+
+<p>And so he was not surprised that she expressed a genuine disappointment
+over his change of command. In fact he had been prepared for a more
+manifest display of disapproval. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she
+was at length to accompany him which caused her to be more benign in her
+appreciation of the transfer. For he knew that she detested the city<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>
+and longed for the day when she might be far removed from it forever.</p>
+
+<p>"You will, of course, make ready to leave Mount Pleasant?" he asked of
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"Assuredly. I shall acquaint mother and father with the prospect this
+evening. They do not want me to leave. But I am determined."</p>
+
+<p>"They should be here. It is not early."</p>
+
+<p>"The ride is long. They will come."</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>The last night spent by the Arnolds and the Shippen family at Mount
+Pleasant was a happy one. The entire family was in attendance and the
+Arnold silver was lavishly displayed for the occasion. American viands
+cooked and served in the prevailing American fashion were offered at
+table&mdash;hearty, simple food in great plenty washed down by quantities of
+Madeira and sherry and other imported beverages.</p>
+
+<p>Toasts and healths were freely drunk. After the more customary ones to
+the "Success of the War," to the "Success of General Washington," to the
+"Nation" there came the usual healths to the host and the hostess, and
+more especially to the "Appointment of General Arnold." The ceremonies
+were interspersed with serious and animated conversation on the
+political situation and the chances of the army in the field. Throughout
+the entire meal a marked simplicity, a purity of manner, and frank
+cordiality was manifest, all indicative of the charming and unaffected
+homelife of the Americans.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Franks would have been pleased to be with<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span> us," announced the
+General as the company awaited another service.</p>
+
+<p>"Could you believe it, General," said Mrs. Shippen, "not once have we
+heard from that girl since she moved to New York," and she set her lips
+firmly. "That is so unlike her; I cannot understand it."</p>
+
+<p>"But you know, Mother," explained Peggy, "that the mail cannot be
+depended upon."</p>
+
+<p>"I know, my dear, but I think that she could send a line, if it were
+only a line, by messenger if she thought enough of us. You know it was
+at our house that she met the friends with whom she is now engaged."</p>
+
+<p>"Our mail system is deplorable," Mr. Shippen remarked. "Only yesterday I
+received a letter which apparently had been sent months ago."</p>
+
+<p>"I can understand that very readily," Arnold rejoined. "Often letters
+are entrusted to travelers. At times these men deposit a letter at some
+inn at the cross-roads for the next traveler who is bound for the same
+place as the epistle. It often happens that such a missive remains for
+months upon a mantelpiece awaiting a favorable opportunity. Then again
+sheer neglect may be responsible for an unusual delay. I myself have
+experience of that."</p>
+
+<p>This explanation seemed to satisfy Mrs. Shippen for she dropped the
+subject immediately. The mode of travel then occasioned a critical
+comment from her until she finally asked when they intended to leave for
+West Point.</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely I shall leave before the week is out," replied Arnold. "It
+is most important that I assume command at once. We shall prepare to
+depart tomorrow."</p>
+
+<p>They talked far into the night, the men smoking<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span> while the ladies
+retired to the great drawing-room. Peggy played and sang, and took her
+mother aside at intervals for conference upon little matters which
+required advice. At a late hour, after taking affectionate leaves, the
+families parted. Peggy and her husband now abandoned themselves to their
+destiny&mdash;to glorious triumph or to utter ruin.</p>
+
+<p>They closed the door upon their kinsfolk and faced the situation.
+Westminster Abbey or the gallows loomed before them.</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>Late that same evening, alone before his desk, General Arnold penned the
+following ambiguous letter to John Anderson. West Point it was. That was
+settled. Still it was necessary that General Clinton be appraised
+immediately of the change of command together with some inkling of the
+military value of the new post. The business was such that he dared not
+employ his true name; and so he assumed a title, referring to himself
+throughout the note in the third person. The meaning of the message, he
+knew, would be readily interpreted.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>Sir:&mdash;On the 24th of last month I received a note from you without date,
+in answer to mine; also a letter from your house in answer to mine, with
+a note from B. of the 30th of June, with an extract of a letter from Mr.
+J. Osborn. I have paid particular attention to the contents of the
+several letters. Had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer
+sooner. A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.
+I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>procure you an
+interview with Mr. M&mdash;e, when you will be able to settle your commercial
+plan, I hope, in a manner agreeable to all parties. Mr. M&mdash;e assures me
+that he is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means
+unreasonable, and makes no doubt, that, when he has a conference with
+you, you will close with it. He expects when you meet you will be fully
+authorized from your House and that the risks and profits of the
+co-partnership may be fully and clearly understood.</p>
+
+<p>A speculation might at this time be easily made to some advantage with
+ready money, but there is not the quantity of goods at market which your
+partner seems to suppose, and the number of speculators below, I think,
+will be against your making an immediate purchase. I apprehend goods
+will be in greater plenty and much cheaper in the course of the season;
+both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this juncture. Some
+quantities are expected in this part of the country soon.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. M&mdash;e flatters himself that in the course of ten days he will have
+the pleasure of seeing you. He requests me to advise you that he has
+ordered a draught on you in favor of our mutual friend, S&mdash;y for 1300,
+which you will charge on account of the tobacco.</p>
+
+<p>I am, in behalf of Mr. M&mdash;e and Co., Sir,</p>
+
+<p class="center">Your most obedient, humble servant,</p>
+
+<p class="right">Gustavus.</p>
+
+<p>To Mr. John Anderson, Merchant,<br />
+&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;New York.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BIII" id="CHAPTER_BIII"></a>CHAPTER III</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>In the meantime, Marjorie was tossing restlessly, nervously in her bed,
+enduring hours of disconsolate remorse and lonely desolation. She could
+not sleep. She cried her eyes wet with tears, and wiped them dry again
+with her handkerchief; then stared up at the black ceiling, or gazed out
+through the small window at the faint glow in the world beyond. Her
+girlish heart, lay heavy within her, distended almost to the
+breaking-point with grief, a grief which had sent her early to bed to
+seek solitude and consolation; that solitude which alone brings relief
+to a heart freighted with sorrow and woe. Now that Stephen had gone, she
+had time to think over the meaning of it all, and she began to
+experience the renewed agony of those terrible moments by the water's
+edge. It was so awful, so frightful that her tender frame seemed to
+yield beneath its load, she simply had to give way to the tears.</p>
+
+<p>She could not sleep, and she knew it. Scrambling out of her bed and
+wrapping a mantle about her, she sat beside the window and peered into
+the night. There was not a breeze to break the solemn silence, not a
+sound to distract her from her reverie. Two black and uncanny pine trees
+stood like armed guards near by the corner of the house to challenge the
+interloper from disturbing her meditation. Overhead the stars<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span> blinked
+and glistened through the treetops in their lace of foliage and delicate
+branches, and resembled for all the world an hundred diamonds set in a
+band of filigree work. The moon had not yet risen, and all the world
+seemed to be in abject despair, bristling in horrid shapes and
+sights,&mdash;a fit dwelling-place for Marjorie and her grief-stricken heart.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen had gone away that afternoon, perhaps never to return. For this
+she could not reproach him, for she allowed that she had given him every
+reason to feel offended. But she had hurt him, and very likely hurt him
+to the quick. She knew his sensitive nature and she feared the
+consequence. It was that thought more than the real contrition over her
+fault which had overwhelmed her. Her return for his many acts of
+kindness had been one of austere repulsion.</p>
+
+<p>Now she felt acutely the bitterness of it all. That she had afforded him
+some encouragement, that she had co&ouml;perated in the first place to make
+the setting of it all quite perfect, that she had lent him her assurance
+that she was amicably disposed towards him, and that her action in
+regard to the miniature, while apparently innocent enough, was fraught
+with significance for Stephen in view of his intimate connections with
+the events of the past two years, that after all perhaps she had been
+entirely unreasonable throughout it all; these were the thoughts which
+excited, both in the truth of their reality and in the knowledge of the
+hopes they had alternately raised and blasted in Stephen, the bitter
+sorrow which was the cause of her mingled pain and regret.</p>
+
+<p>What would he think of her now? What could he think? Plainly he must
+consider her a cold, austere being, devoid of all feeling and
+appreciation. He had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span> given her the best that was in him and had made
+bold enough to appraise her of it. Sincerity was manifest in his every
+gesture and word, and yet she had made him feel as if his protestations
+had been repugnant to her. She knew his nature, his extreme diffidence
+in matters of this kind, his power of resolution, and she feared that
+once having tried and failed, he was lost to her forever.</p>
+
+<p>And yet she knew that she grieved not for herself but for him. Her stern
+refusal had only caused him the greater pain. Stephen would, perhaps,
+misunderstand as he had misunderstood her in the past and it was the
+thought of the vast discomfiture she had occasioned in him that stung
+her with sorrow.</p>
+
+<p>Her warm, generous heart now chided her for her apparent indifference.
+There was no other name for it. What could he deduce from her behavior
+except that she was a cold, ungrateful, irresolute creature who did not
+know her own mind or the promptings of her own heart! She had flung him
+from her smarting and wounded, after he had summoned his entire strength
+to whisper to her what she would have given worlds to hear, but which
+had only confounded and startled her by its suddenness.</p>
+
+<p>And yet she loved him. She knew it and kept repeating it over and over
+again to her own self. No one before or since had struck so responsive a
+chord from her heart strings. There had been no other ideal to which she
+had shaped the pictures of her mind. Stephen was her paragon of
+excellence and to him the faculties of her soul had turned of their own
+mood and temper unknown even to the workings of her intellectual
+consciousness, like the natural inclination of the heliotrope before the
+rays of the rising sun.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p><p>Laying her head in the crook of her elbow she sobbed bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>The thought that he was gone from her life brought inconsolable remorse.
+She knew him, knew the intimate structure of his soul, and she knew that
+a deep repentance would seize hold of him on account of his rash
+presumption. He would be true to his word: he would not breathe the
+subject again. Nay, more, he would ever permit her to disappear from his
+life as gradually as she had entered into it. This was unendurable but
+the consciousness that she had caused this bitter rupture was beyond all
+endurance still.</p>
+
+<p>She lifted her head and stared into the black depths of the night. All
+was still except the shrill pipings of the frogs as they sounded their
+dissonant notes to one another in the far-off Schuylkill meadows. They,
+too, were filled with thoughts of love, Marjorie thought, which they had
+made bold enough to publish in their own discordant way, and they seemed
+to take eminent delight in having the whole world aware of the fact that
+it, too, might rejoice with them.</p>
+
+<p>If it were true that she loved him, it were equally true that he ought
+to be apprised of it. There could be no love without a mutual
+understanding, for to love alone would be admiration and entirely
+one-sided. Let her unfold her soul to him in order that he might take
+joy for his portion ere his ardor had cooled into mere civility. For if
+it were licit to love, it were more licit to express it and this
+expression should be reciprocal.</p>
+
+<p>She would tell him before it were too late. Her silence at the very
+moment when she should have acted was unfortunate. Perhaps his affection
+had been killed by the blow and her protestations would be falling upon
+barren soil. No matter! She would write and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span> unfold her heart to him,
+and tell him that she really and truly cared for him more than any one
+else in the world, and she would beg him to return that she might
+whisper in his ear those very words she had been softly repeating to
+herself. Full repentance would take possession of her soul, and her
+heart would rush unrestrained to the object of its love, telling him
+that she was with him always, thinking of him, praying for him, and
+waiting for him. She would write him at once.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>But she did not mail the letter. Hidden carefully in her room, it lay
+all the next day. Unworthy post-chaise to bear so precious a manuscript!
+She would journey herself to its destination to safeguard it, were it at
+all possible. A thousand and one misgivings haunted her concerning the
+safety of its arrival,&mdash;Stephen might have been transferred to some
+distant point, the letter itself might possibly fall into awkward hands,
+it might lay for months in the post bag, or fall into a dark corner of
+some obscure tavern, the roads were infested with robbers,&mdash;horrible
+thoughts, too horrible to record.</p>
+
+<p>She did not know just how long it had taken her to compose it. The end
+of the candle had burned quite out during the process, and she lay
+deliberating over its contents and wondering just what else might be
+added. Twice she was on the point of arising to assure herself on the
+style of her confession, but each time she changed her mind, deciding to
+yield to her earlier thought. The darkness seemed to envelop her in
+fancy, and when she again opened her eyes the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span>darkness had disappeared
+before the light. It was morning and she arose for the day.</p>
+
+<p>Hour by hour she waited to tell her mother. It was only right that she
+should know, and she proposed to tell her all, even the very episode on
+the river bank. She needed counsel, especially during these lonely
+moments, and she felt that she could obtain it only by unfolding her
+heart unreservedly. Mother would know; in fact, she must have suspected
+the gravity of the affair. But how would she begin it? She longed for an
+opening, but no opening presented itself.</p>
+
+<p>The meaning of his addresses she saw, or she thought she saw. Stephen
+loved her; his words were very effective. Indeed, he had made no mention
+of marriage, nevertheless she sensed that his ulterior purpose had been
+revealed to her fully. Perhaps it was this consummation which caused her
+heart to stand suddenly still; perhaps it was the vision of the new life
+which was opening before her. She would have to go away with him as his
+wife, away from her home, away from her beloved father and mother. The
+summers would come and go and she would be far distant from her own, in
+far-off New York, perhaps, or some other city better adapted for the
+career of a young man of ability. They might live in Philadelphia, near
+to her home, yet not in it. That would be preferable, yet the future
+could lend her no assurance. She would be his for life, and with him
+would be obliged to begin a new manner of living.</p>
+
+<p>Such thoughts as these occupied her for the greater part of the day, and
+before she was really aware of it, her father had come home for the
+evening. She could not tell both at once; better to tell them in turn.
+It would be more confidential and better to her liking.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span> Once the secret
+was common between them, it was easy to discuss it together, and so she
+decided that she would put it off until the morrow. Then she would tell
+mother, and let her mother talk it over with her father. Both then would
+advise her.</p>
+
+<p>"Next week is going to see the greatest event in the history of the
+Church in America," Marjorie heard her father remark as he placed his
+hat upon the rack behind the door.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it now?" inquired her mother who chanced to be in the
+sitting-room when he entered.</p>
+
+<p>"The Congress is going to Mass."</p>
+
+<p>"The Congress?" she exclaimed. "Praised be God!"</p>
+
+<p>"What news, father?" asked Marjorie, hurrying into the room.</p>
+
+<p>"The Congress, the President and the prominent men of the nation have
+been invited to take part in the solemn Te Deum next Sunday. It is the
+anniversary of the signing of the Declaration."</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't that remarkable?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is remarkable," he repeated. "The French Ambassador has issued the
+invitations and all have signified their intentions of being present.
+Here is one of them." Taking from his pocket a folded paper, he handed
+it to Marjorie. She opened it at once and read aloud,</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Matthew Allison:&mdash;You are invited by the Minister Plenipotentiary
+of France to attend the Te Deum, which will be chanted on Sunday, the
+4th of this month, at noon, in the new Catholic Chapel, to celebrate the
+anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.</p>
+
+<p>"Philadelphia, the Second of July. M. Gerard."</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span></p><p>"The Congress going to Mass!" said his wife, apparently unable to
+comprehend fully the meaning of it all.</p>
+
+<p>"The more one thinks of it the more strange it becomes. They branded
+Charles the First a Papist because he permitted his queen, who was born
+and bred a Catholic, to attend Holy Mass. Now we have our newly-formed
+government not alone countenancing Popery, but actually participating in
+a supposedly pagan and idolatrous form of worship."</p>
+
+<p>"This marks the end of religious prejudice in this country," observed
+Marjorie. "At length all men are in all things equal, equal in the sight
+of God and man. Don't you think our leaders must realize this and are
+taking steps to prepare the minds of the people accordingly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," he replied, "and I don't know but what it is only right. We all
+go to the market together, trade our goods together, rub elbows
+together, clear the land together, fight together. Why shouldn't we live
+together in peace? Intolerance and bigotry are dead and buried. We have
+laid the foundations of the greatest country in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God for that!" breathed Mrs. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"We are respected above all calculation," Mr. Allison continued. "Our
+Loyalty now is unquestioned."</p>
+
+<p>"We may thank God for that, too."</p>
+
+<p>"And Captain Meagher!" added Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>Her eyes beamed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you are right, girl," said her father. "We can thank Captain
+Meagher. The frustration and the exposure of that plot has increased our
+reputation an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span> hundredfold. Heretofore, the Catholic population had been
+regarded as an insignificant element, but when the ambitions of the
+enemy to secure their co&ouml;peration were discovered, the value of the
+Catholics to the country suddenly rose."</p>
+
+<p>"Our unity must have created a lasting impression," Marjorie remarked.</p>
+
+<p>"Not alone our unity, but our loyalty as well. The government has
+learned that we have been ever true to the land of our birth, ever loyal
+to the country of our adoption. It has thoughtfully considered the value
+of our sacrifices, and has carefully estimated our contribution to the
+cause of freedom. When the charter of liberty assumes a more definite
+form our rights will specifically be determined. Of that I am reasonably
+certain. The enemy failed to allure us from our country in its time of
+need; our country will not abandon us in our time of need."</p>
+
+<p>"Stephen did it," announced Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"Stephen helped to do it," replied her father.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>That same evening, during a stolen moment while her mother was busied
+with the turning of the buckwheat cakes, Marjorie crept to her father's
+knee and folded her arms over it.</p>
+
+<p>"Daddy!" she looked up at him from her seated posture on the floor.
+"What would you say to a very eligible young man who had told you that
+he was very fond of you?"</p>
+
+<p>"What would I say?" asked the father in surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What would you?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span></p><p>"I would not say anything. I would have him examined."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Daddy. This is serious," and she pushed his knee from her as she
+spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I am serious. If a man told me that he was very fond of me, I would
+question his sanity."</p>
+
+<p>She laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"You know what I mean. I mean if you were a girl and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not a girl."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, if you were?"</p>
+
+<p>"If I was what?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know what I mean quite well. Would you hate him at first?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not. I should want to strangle him, but I wouldn't hate him."</p>
+
+<p>"And you would strangle him? For what?"</p>
+
+<p>"For daring."</p>
+
+<p>"Daring what?"</p>
+
+<p>"You know."</p>
+
+<p>He smiled.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear! Won't you listen to me? Tell me what to do."</p>
+
+<p>"I could not tell you. You have not told me what has happened."</p>
+
+<p>"I asked you what you would say to an attractive soldier who had told
+you that he loved you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. And I told you that if he had told that to me, I would ask what
+ailed him."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Daddy, you are too funny tonight. I can't reason with you."</p>
+
+<p>She sat back on her heels and pouted.</p>
+
+<p>He smiled and roused himself upright and put his arm around her and drew
+her to him.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span></p><p>"There! There! I know what you mean, daughter. It means that I shall
+have no say in the matter."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"You will do it all."</p>
+
+<p>"No. I shall never leave you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you will. You will be happier. But why didn't Stephen ask me about
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"How did you know it was Stephen?" she looked at him in astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"Well enough."</p>
+
+<p>"But how?" she repeated.</p>
+
+<p>"I knew it all the time and your mother and I have been prepared for
+this occasion."</p>
+
+<p>"But who told you?" Her eyes opened full and round in genuine wonder.
+Here was one surprise after the other.</p>
+
+<p>"There was no need of any one telling me. I have been watching the pair
+of you, and sensed what the outcome would be some little while ago."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Daddy. How should you know?"</p>
+
+<p>He laughed outright.</p>
+
+<p>"There! There! We are satisfied quite, I can assure you. I know what you
+are about to say; and your mother knows it too."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have not yet told her. I meant to tell her today but did not.
+Then I thought of telling you and of whispering the whole story to her
+after we were upstairs."</p>
+
+<p>She was serious, very serious, absorbed for the most part in her story
+although her mind was clouded with amazement at the want of surprise
+which was manifested. Her innocent mind apparently was unable for the
+time being to fathom the intricacies of this plot<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span> which seemed to be
+laid bare to every one concerned save her own self.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you will tell her, but you will find that she will consent to
+the proposal."</p>
+
+<p>"What proposal?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I suppose the proposal of your coming marriage."</p>
+
+<p>"But!... But!... Daddy!... I never said anything about marriage."</p>
+
+<p>"You did start to tell me that Stephen told you he was very fond of
+you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"And you told him the same."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will tell him."</p>
+
+<p>A hush followed. She looked askance at him from the corner of her eye.</p>
+
+<p>"And so after you two have told one another as much as that you may as
+well decide upon the date."</p>
+
+<p>"But ... I ... I am not sure that I want to marry him."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is your privilege, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"And.... And ... perhaps he will never ask me again."</p>
+
+<p>"Just wait a bit."</p>
+
+<p>"And would you marry him?"</p>
+
+<p>"I told you that I would not. I already have one wife...."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! You make me lose all patience," she cried rising from the floor and
+leaving him. "I shall confide in mother."</p>
+
+<p>"Remember," he cautioned her in a somewhat serious strain. "Do not ask
+her to marry him."</p>
+
+<p>She was gone.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span></p><p>The following day a letter was dispatched to the Headquarters at
+Morristown, New Jersey. In the meantime a very large doubt began to take
+form in the mind of one little girl concerning the manner of its
+reception. A thousand and one impossible situations were conceived, but
+there seemed nothing to do; he must now do it all. The possibility
+loomed ghost-like before her: he might never return. The wound which she
+had caused still smarted and ached. He might never return. Her eyes
+wandered and strayed among the multitude of objects before them; her
+lips had forgotten their usual smile. He might fail to receive her note
+and if he did he might disdain to acknowledge it. But no! He would not
+do that. There was naught else to do but wait. Oh! if the moments would
+only hurry!</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BIV" id="CHAPTER_BIV"></a>CHAPTER IV</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>It was a great day for Philadelphia when the Continental Congress went
+to Mass. It was Independence Day, too, but this was of lesser importance
+in the estimation of the people, especially of the Catholic portion of
+them. Fully a quarter before the hour, the bell began to sound and the
+streets became like so many avenues of commerce with people standing in
+doorways, or leaning from their windows, or hurrying with feverish haste
+in the direction of the New Chapel of St. Mary's, the parish church of
+the city. There a number of them congregated in twos or threes to await
+the procession of notables, who would soon approach with great solemnity
+and dignity from the opposite corner of the street.</p>
+
+<p>The celebration came about in this manner:</p>
+
+<p>It was the desire of M. Gerard, the Minister Plenipotentiary of France,
+to commemorate the anniversary day of the Independence of the United
+States in a religious manner. Arrangements already had been made to hold
+Divine worship earlier in the morning at Christ Church, at which the
+guests of honor were invited to be present. At twelve o'clock the
+congregation would march to the Church of St. Mary, where a military
+Mass and a solemn Te Deum would be sung. The Reverend Seraphin Bandol,
+chaplain to the French<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span> Embassy, would celebrate the Mass and deliver a
+sermon appropriate to the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>It had been fondly expected that the event would assume an international
+tone. Events had been moving with extraordinary rapidity towards the
+establishment of the Roman Catholic religion in the graces of the
+government, and this celebration might demonstrate the patriotic motives
+of the Catholic body beyond the shadow of a doubt. That a Congress,
+which of late had condemned in the strongest terms the practices of the
+Roman Catholic religion, could change in sentiment and action in so
+short a time, would be an unequivocal proof of the countenance and good
+will which the Catholic religion was beginning to acquire. At any rate
+the example set by the governing body of the new republic attending Mass
+in a Roman Catholic edifice, offering up their devout orisons in the
+language, service and worship of Rome, would be a memorable one, an
+augury of the new spirit of religious freedom which later would be
+breathed into the Constitution of these same States by these same men.</p>
+
+<p>Precisely at ten minutes before the hour they came, walking in pairs,
+headed by John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, and
+His Excellency M. Gerard, the French Ambassador. Immediately after the
+Congress, marched the Supreme Executive Council of Philadelphia with
+Joseph Reed at its head. Then came the French Embassy, resplendent in
+its dress of blue and gold. Prominent civilians, military officers, men
+of repute in city and nation, followed slowly along the crowded
+thoroughfare and as slowly made their way into the small edifice.
+General Washington was not present, having been prevented by duty in the
+field.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span></p><p>Within, the little church murmured with low talking. Ordinarily, the
+congregation would have been absorbed in silent contemplation before the
+Presence of the Divine One, but the impressiveness of the occasion made
+the people depart from their usual fervor. The little church was only
+partly filled when the great procession arrived and every head
+instinctively turned in the direction of the entrance at the sound of
+their many footsteps. As they marched down the aisle every breath was
+held; then as they began to file into the pews reserved for them, the
+subdued murmur began again.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie and her father sat to the rear of the church in the company of
+the early arrivals. In fact the entire Allison family occupied the same
+pew, pressed, indeed, for room on account of the multitude which crowded
+its way into the church and into the small aisles. Round about them on
+every side sat the congregation, some of whom were already familiar to
+them, the majority of whom, however, were total strangers. From their
+appearance and demeanor it was not difficult to conclude, Marjorie
+thought, that more than one-half of them were non-Catholic.</p>
+
+<p>The inside of the church was adorned in splendid array with the emblems
+of France and the United States. In the sanctuary, on each side of the
+altar, stood two large flags of the allied nations, while across the
+choir gallery in the rear of the church, there stretched in festoons,
+the colors of the infant republic superimposed in the middle by a shield
+bearing the likeness of Louis XVI. On the altar bloomed a variety of cut
+flowers, arranged in an artistic and fanciful manner on the steps of the
+reredos amidst a great profusion of white unlighted candles. The three
+highest <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span>candlesticks on each side had been lighted, and the little
+tongues of living flame were leaping from them joyfully. Over the
+tabernacle a large crucifix raised aloft, while just before the door of
+the tabernacle rested the chalice with its white veil, arranged in the
+form of a truncated triangle, shielding it from view.</p>
+
+<p>For several minutes after the honorable body had been seated there was a
+confusion of feet and forms as the members of the congregation surged
+into the church. The pews filled quickly, and the more tardy and less
+fortunate individuals sought places along the aisles and along the rear.
+Overhead the small organ gasped and panted the strains of a martial air,
+the uneven throbbing of its bellows emphasizing the fatigue and
+exhaustion of its faithful operator.</p>
+
+<p>"Is that the French Ambassador?" whispered Marjorie to her father.</p>
+
+<p>"With the brocade and lace. Yes. Next to him is Mr. Hancock, President
+of the Congress."</p>
+
+<p>She looked and saw the noble head and dignified bearing of the
+statesman. He sat very erect and majestic, presenting an appearance of
+taste and refinement in his suit of silken black.</p>
+
+<p>"There is Mr. Adams, John Adams, with the great powdered periwig. The
+tall thin man seated at his right is Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the
+Declaration. He is, without doubt, the scholar of the Congress."</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie followed his whispering with evident interest. Never had she
+been in the company of such notable men.</p>
+
+<p>"Who is that? See! He is turning sideways."</p>
+
+<p>"Livingston. Robert Livingston. Then the great Robert Morris, whose
+financial aid made possible the continuance of the war. His personal
+sacrifice for the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span> cause of independence will never be computed. He is
+Washington's best friend."</p>
+
+<p>She peered through the crowd to catch a glimpse of the famous financier.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not overlook our staunch Catholic member of the Congress, Charles
+Carroll. Lest he might be mistaken for any other man of the same name he
+made bold to affix after his name on the Declaration of Independence,
+'of Carrollton.' A representative Catholic and a true patriot!"</p>
+
+<p>She recalled this, having seen the name of "Charles Carroll of
+Carrollton" on the printed copy of the Declaration.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allison again nudged his daughter with his elbow to attract her
+attention.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you see that elderly man with the sharp-pointed features over
+across?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>She looked in the direction indicated but did not seem to be able to
+locate him.</p>
+
+<p>"The second pew, third man from the aisle."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes! Yes!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"That is Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, the author of the resolution
+'That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
+independent States.' That paved the way for the drawing up of the
+Declaration."</p>
+
+<p>The makers of history were before her, and her eyes danced at their
+sober and grave demeanor. Here sat the Congress, not all of it, but a
+goodly portion of it, which had voted unanimously in favor of complete
+separation from the mother country. Here were those very men who had
+risked their all, their fortunes, their homes, their lives for their
+country's cause. Here they now assembled, visibly burdened with the
+cares and the apprehensions of the past few years, still uncertain of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>
+the future, but steadfastly determined to endure to the bitter end,
+either to hang together or to rise to glorious triumphs together. And
+here they sat or knelt in the temple of God to rededicate their fortunes
+to Him, to accept from His hands the effects of His judgments, but at
+the same time to implore Him to look with favor upon their efforts and
+to render possible of realization those desires which were uppermost in
+their hearts. Marjorie thought that they could not, they must not fail,
+they, who were animated by such sincere devotion and by such sentiments
+of genuine piety.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Franklin isn't here?" she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>"No," he softly answered. "I think he has not returned from France. He
+was there, you know, when the Alliance was concluded. Lafayette only
+joined Washington last month. Did you know that he brought with him a
+commission from the French King to General Washington, appointing him
+Lieutenant-General in the French army and Vice-Admiral of its navy?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I did not hear of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose Franklin is still over there. He would be here, although he
+himself is an atheist. He believes in no form of religious worship. I
+should not say that he is an atheist for he does believe in One God, but
+that is about all."</p>
+
+<p>The murmur about the little church began to die away. Still the surging
+at the door continued until it seemed as if the small building would
+burst its sides with its great burden.</p>
+
+<p>The tinkle of a little bell sounding from the door leading from the
+sanctuary announced that the Mass was about to begin. On the instant the
+congregation rose and remained standing until Father Bandol, <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>preceded
+by the altar boys, had reached the foot of the altar and made the
+genuflection.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>High up in the gallery the choir broke into the strains of the "Kyrie"
+of the Mass, while the priest in a profound bow before the altar made
+his confession of sins. Marjorie took out her prayer-book and began to
+follow the Mass, meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord's life as
+commemorated in the Holy Sacrifice.</p>
+
+<p>Ascending the altar, the priest passed at once to the right hand side
+where lay the Mass-Book, from which he read the Introit. He returned to
+the center and chanted in soft clear tones the "Gloria in Excelsis," the
+hymn of praise which the angels sang for the first time on Christmas
+night when Christ, the Lord, was born. This was taken up immediately by
+the choir. Meanwhile the congregation were seated during the singing of
+this hymn of praise to the Most High.</p>
+
+<p>The prayers of the Mass, prayers for our rulers, prayers for peace were
+sung by the celebrant, the people kneeling in an attitude of prayer
+while their priest interceded to God in their behalf. Having finished
+the prayers for the people a Lesson from one of St. Paul's Epistles was
+read, after which the priest passed to the left side of the altar to
+sing a passage from the Gospel. The people now stood to profess their
+belief in the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie and her father and mother recollected themselves quite during
+these solemn moments and no syllable of communication passed between
+them, all assisting at the service with prayer-books or beads,
+<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>following every movement of the priest intelligently and with devotion.</p>
+
+<p>The congregation were permitted to sit while the celebrant of the Mass
+offered the materials for the sacrifice, unleavened bread and the pure
+juice of the grape, to Almighty God, to adore Him above all other
+things, to thank Him for all the graces and blessings bestowed by Him on
+mankind, to satisfy His justice for the sins of man and to implore Him
+for whatever favors He might deign to bestow.</p>
+
+<p>Soon the voice of Father Bandol resounded through the church with the
+opening tones of the Preface of the Mass, the responses to which were
+made by the members of the choir. Slowly and solemnly he chanted the
+notes of praise, ending with the "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts."
+A sound from the bell gave the warning that the awful moment was about
+to arrive, the moment when the ambassador of Christ would exercise the
+power communicated to him from Jesus Himself through the Twelve and
+their successors, the power of changing the substance of bread and wine
+into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.</p>
+
+<p>The people bent forward in an attitude of humble adoration. Marjorie
+buried her face in her hands on the top of the forward pew, pouring out
+her heart in praise and thanksgiving to her God and Master. In profound
+reverence she remained while the priest pronounced the mystical words
+"Hoc est enim corpus meum" over the species and effected the mystery of
+mysteries, the translation of Christ's Mystical Body to the elements of
+the earth, in the transubstantiation of the Mass. Now Her Lord was
+present before her; now the Divinity of His Person was but a few feet<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span>
+away, clothed, not in flesh and blood, but under the appearances of
+bread and wine; now Her Creator was with her, lying on the white
+corporal of the altar and she poured forth her soul to Him in accents of
+adoration and supplication.</p>
+
+<p>"O my God!" she breathed. "I adore Thee through Jesus; I beg pardon
+through Jesus; I thank Thee through Jesus; I humbly ask every blessing
+and grace through Jesus. May I lead a holy life and die a good death. My
+Jesus! mercy! My Jesus! mercy! My Jesus! mercy!"</p>
+
+<p>The prayers for the dead were read and the Pater Noster was chanted. A
+signal from the bell announced that the priest's communion was about to
+take place and that the distribution of the Sacred Body would be made to
+as many as desired to partake of it. It was Sunday and the majority of
+the Catholics present had been in attendance at an earlier Mass, on
+which account there were no communicants at this later one. The closing
+ceremonies were concluded with the reading of the Gospel of St. John,
+when Father Bandol turned towards the congregation to begin his address.
+Every member present sat upright in his seat and awaited the message
+which was about to fall from the lips of the priest.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"My dear brethren," he said, "we are assembled to celebrate the
+anniversary of that day which Providence had marked, in His eternal
+decrees, to become the epoch of liberty and independence to the thirteen
+United States of America."</p>
+
+<p>There was a silence throughout the church which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span> was breathless. Every
+eye was focused on the vested form before the altar.</p>
+
+<p>"That Being whose almighty hand holds all existence beneath its dominion
+undoubtedly produces in the depths of His wisdom those great events
+which astonish the world and of which the most presumptuous, though
+instrumental in accomplishing them, dare not attribute to themselves the
+merit. But the finger of God is still more peculiarly evidenced in that
+happy, that glorious revolution which calls forth this day's festivity.
+He hath struck the oppressors of a free people&mdash;free and peaceful, with
+the spirit of delusion which renders the wicked artificers of their own
+proper misfortunes.</p>
+
+<p>"Permit me, my dear brethren, citizens of the United States, to address
+you on this occasion. It is that God, that all powerful God, who hath
+directed your steps; who, when you were without arms fought for you the
+sword of justice; who, when you were in adversity, poured into your
+hearts the spirit of courage, of wisdom, and fortitude, and who hath, at
+length, raised up for your support a youthful sovereign whose virtues
+bless and adorn a sensible, a fruitful and a generous nation."</p>
+
+<p>The French Ambassador bowed his head in profound acquiescence.</p>
+
+<p>"This nation hath blended her interest with your interest and her
+sentiments with yours. She participates in all your joys, and this day
+unites her voice to yours at the foot of the altars of the eternal God
+to celebrate that glorious revolution which has placed the sons of
+America among the free and independent nations of the earth.</p>
+
+<p>"We have nothing now to apprehend but the anger<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span> of Heaven, or that the
+measure of our guilt should exceed His mercy. Let us then prostrate
+ourselves at the feet of the immortal God, who holds the fate of empires
+in His hands, and raises them up at His pleasure, or breaks them down to
+dust. Let us conjure Him to enlighten our enemies, and to dispose their
+hearts to enjoy that tranquillity and happiness which the Revolution we
+now celebrate has established for a great part of the human race. Let us
+implore Him to conduct us by that way which His Providence has marked
+out for arriving at so desirable an end. Let us offer unto Him hearts
+imbued with sentiments of respect, consecrated by religion, humanity and
+patriotism. Never is the august ministry of His altars more acceptable
+to His Divine Majesty than when it lays at His feet homages, offerings
+and vows, so pure, so worthy the common offerings of mankind.</p>
+
+<p>"God will not regret our joy, for He is the author of it; nor will He
+forget our prayers, for they ask but the fulfillment of the decrees He
+has manifested. Filled with this spirit, let us, in concert with one
+another, raise our hearts to the Eternal; let us implore His infinite
+mercy to be pleased to inspire the rulers of both nations with the
+wisdom and force necessary to perfect what He hath begun. Let us, in a
+word, unite our voices to beseech Him to dispense His blessings upon the
+counsels and the arms of the allies and that we may soon enjoy the
+sweets of a peace which will soon cement the Union and establish the
+prosperity of the two empires."</p>
+
+<p>The same religious silence prevailed; indeed there sat many in the same
+immovable posture. But it was evident that the words were being received
+with <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span>pleasure and satisfaction. Signs of approval appeared on every
+face.</p>
+
+<p>"It is with this view," the priest concluded, "that we shall cause that
+canticle to be chanted, which the custom of the Catholic Church hath
+consecrated, to be at once a testimonial of public joy, a thanksgiving
+for benefits received from heaven, and a prayer for the continuance of
+its mercies."</p>
+
+<h3>IV</h3>
+
+<p>He had done. As he stepped to the floor of the sanctuary and took his
+stand before the center of the altar a pronounced disturbance,
+accompanied by much coughing, made itself manifest. This was followed by
+a great rumble as the entire congregation rose to its feet to await the
+intonation of the Te Deum.</p>
+
+<p>Pleasant and sweet rose Father Bandol's voice above the rustling in the
+opening notes of that most majestic of all hymns of praise:</p>
+
+<p>"Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur."</p>
+
+<p>And immediately the vast throng took up the melody and there
+reverberated throughout the church, escaping through the open doors and
+windows, across the streets and over the roof-tops, up to the topmost
+regions of the heavens, to the very gates of heaven itself, the strains
+of the Ambrosian hymn of thanksgiving and praise which the members of
+the American Congress sang to the God of Nations and of Battles in the
+little chapel of St. Mary's on the anniversary day of the signing of the
+greatest exposition of a freeman's rights ever penned by the hand of
+man.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BV" id="CHAPTER_BV"></a>CHAPTER V</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>The wayfarer on this July afternoon in the fifth year of American
+Independence might have passed on the main thoroughfare leading into the
+city of Philadelphia from the townships of Bristol and Trenton, a young
+and powerfully built officer astride a spirited chestnut mare. The
+countryside, through which he was journeying, stretched for miles around
+in peaceful solitude, teeming and delightful with that leafy and rich
+green livery which we are accustomed to associate with the idea of
+abundance. Overhead the sky was clear, from which the sun blazed down
+great billows of heat that hovered over the landscape, giving vigor and
+enthusiasm to the various forms of vegetable life, but at the same time
+causing the animal world to drowse and languish in discomfort.</p>
+
+<p>It was plain to be seen that the horseman was an officer of the
+Continental Army. His mount, young and well groomed, gave every
+indication of a long ride, its nostrils dilated, its mouth moist with
+foam, its sides streaky with strings of sweat. Haste was desired, it was
+apparent, although in the more exposed portions of the roadway the mare
+was allowed to walk, her rider affectionately patting her neck or
+coaxing her along with an encouraging remark.</p>
+
+<p>"Look, Dolly! There is some soft, tender grass to cool your lips. We
+shall take some."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span></p><p>And he turned the mare to the side of the road and allowed her to
+nibble at the greensward.</p>
+
+<p>Soon they were again on their way, she munching the while on the last
+mouthful, now walking, now impatiently breaking into a canter; Stephen,
+holding her in check with his hand, looked far ahead at the roofs of the
+city beyond. Through his mind there passed in review the incidents of
+the day, the memory of his business just concluded, the speculation of
+the future of the army, the contemplation of his reception by Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>He had been away for more than a month. During that time he was engaged
+in business of the gravest nature. Many hours had been spent in the
+company of the Commander-in-chief before whom he had laid an account of
+his varied activities in the city. The proposed plan for the formation
+of the regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers, with all its ramifications
+and side issues, together with an account of his own adventures in its
+respect, was reported faithfully and accurately to his superior. The
+person of John Anderson, his suspicions concerning him, the strangely
+formed friendship of the spy with the Military Governor, were indicated
+with only that amount of reserve necessary to distinguish a moral from
+an absolute certitude. Events had moved with great rapidity, yet he felt
+assured that the real crisis was only now impending, for which reason he
+desired to return to the city so as to be ready for any service which
+might be required.</p>
+
+<p>"Go along, girl. We want to reach home by noon."</p>
+
+<p>Dolly heeded him and began to canter.</p>
+
+<p>Washington had not taken kindly to his suggestion for the recall of
+General Arnold's command; in fact he had treated the proposal with a
+scorn worthy of his<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span> strong sense and dauntless courage. It was plain to
+be seen that His Excellency had placed much reliance and confidence in
+his favorite officer. It was impossible to create so much as a suspicion
+in the mind of him, who had been compelled to endure irksome suppression
+at the hands of a cabalistic and jealous military party, and who, for
+that very reason, took a magnanimous view of the plight of one beset
+with similar persecutions. General Arnold was in his eyes a brave and
+fearless leader, but one unfortunately annoyed and tormented by the
+machinations of an ungrateful and intolerant populace.</p>
+
+<p>And so when it came to pass that the one General, whom he had admired
+and trusted, applied for an active command in the field, General
+Washington cordially granted the request. If the wounded limb would
+permit it, there was no doubt in the mind of His Excellency that General
+Arnold would prove the most heroic and able officer along the line.
+Lincoln was gone, having been forced to surrender with his entire army
+at Charleston only six weeks before. Green was engaged with the army in
+the Carolinas; Gates was a coward; Lee, a traitor. In the important
+operations which were soon to take place with the main army in the
+vicinity of New York, Arnold was the leader best qualified for the task.
+Washington took extreme delight in appointing him to the command of the
+Right Wing of his own army and the Second in Command of the Continental
+forces.</p>
+
+<p>It was with genuine reluctance that he consented to listen to the
+strange story as unfolded by his aide-de-camp, Captain Meagher. That
+General Arnold should openly countenance rebellion was preposterous; to
+become a party to it was incredible. Yet the veracity of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span> his aide was
+unquestionable, and the wealth of evidence which he had presented left
+little room for doubt. Still Washington's faith was unshaken. He felt
+assured that his favorite General would redeem himself when the proper
+time came. And every encouragement for this redemption would be afforded
+him.</p>
+
+<p>West Point was open. He would recall the order appointing him to the
+command of the army and make him commander of the fortification there.
+The exigencies of the times required a man of rare ability and genius at
+this post. Should there prove to be a shadow of truth in the allegations
+of his aide, the change of command would simplify the situation from
+whatever viewpoint it might be regarded. The country might be preserved,
+and Arnold's ambition at the same time given another opportunity.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen ruminated over these events as he rode leisurely along. A
+genuine satisfaction was derived from the knowledge that his chief's
+confidence in him was still unshaken. He felt that he had effected a
+change of post for the man whom, above all other men, Washington most
+admired and respected; nevertheless he felt that at the same time he was
+only executing a service which would ultimately prove to be of
+incalculable value to the army and the nation. Arnold troubled him, but
+in command of a fortress he would occasion infinitely less worry and
+apprehension than in a responsible position in the field.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie delighted him. At Morristown he had found her letter; and his
+plans for the immediate present underwent a decided alteration. He had
+been ordered to make the journey to Hartford in attendance upon General
+Washington, who had already completed arrangements with Count Rochambeau
+and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span> Admiral Ternay of the French navy for a conference there in
+reference to the proposed naval operations of the combined fleets. With
+the letter in his hand he had sought and obtained a further leave of
+absence from his Commander-in-chief in order that his own campaign for
+the winning of the lady of his heart might be brought to a quick and
+decisive termination.</p>
+
+<p>He had left the city, not hurt nor wounded as she had supposed, but
+somewhat disappointed at the manner of her expression. Her apparent
+coolness and unconcern he had ascribed rather to her extreme diffidence
+and shyness than to want of appreciation or sincerity. That she truly
+cared for him, he knew full well; that he would eventually win her to
+him was a faltering conviction. But, now, there was no further doubt.
+She had written him pages into which she had poured out her heart in
+generous and unmistakable accents, and which he had read and re-read
+with growing delight.</p>
+
+<p>Washington could not refuse his request. He made no attempt to conceal
+the nature of his mission and obtained not alone His Excellency's
+gracious permission but his sincere wishes for success as well. With a
+heart buoyant with joy and anticipation he spurred on his mare and
+pushed her to her worth in the direction of the city and the object of
+his quest.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>He rode into the city well aware that the first news to reach him would
+be that of the exodus of the Arnolds.</p>
+
+<p>"You came straight through town, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Stephen.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p><p>"And came here direct?" continued Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"I quartered my mare, first. I thought immediately of the Inn as the
+place to gather the news. So I hastened hither."</p>
+
+<p>"There's been heaps doin'," Jim remarked casually.</p>
+
+<p>"Never saw such excitement since the day of the regiment," observed the
+keeper of the Inn, a well-mannered and well-educated gentleman, above
+middle age, who held the enviable position of inn-keeper and lawyer
+alike. Every inn-keeper of this age commanded much of respect in the
+community, for it was he who received the money of the people, and money
+commanded the necessities of life&mdash;a good bed, good things to eat,
+attentive servants; but Mr. Smith, the keeper of the Old London Coffee
+House, was the most respectable inn-keeper in the city, the proud
+possessor of a very pretty library and an excellent table where
+cleanliness and decency vied with dignity and self-respect.</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold, you know, has left the city," volunteered Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have surmised," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Gone, an' all belongin' to 'im."</p>
+
+<p>"And closed his mansion?" Stephen inquired.</p>
+
+<p>"Tight. Mrs. Arnold went with him. They left yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"But I thought&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"To the army? I understand he had been appointed to field duty under
+Washington. Second in Command, they say. But that has been changed. He
+has gone to West Point."</p>
+
+<p>Stephen did not answer.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems," went on Mr. Allison, "that he has been seeking a change of
+post for several months. His leg<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span> still bothers him, however, and very
+likely prevented him from doing active duty in the field. On that
+account, it has been said, he was given charge of the fortress. It is an
+important post, nevertheless, and carries with it a certain amount of
+distinction."</p>
+
+<p>"Hope he gits along better with 'em up there 'n he did here," remarked
+Jim. "He won't hev the s'ciety folks t' bother 'im now."</p>
+
+<p>"When did he leave?"</p>
+
+<p>"No one knows. There was no demonstration of any kind. It differed much
+from the farewell of General Howe. Arnold left in disgrace, it would
+seem," said the Inn-keeper, as he moved away to give his attention to
+other business.</p>
+
+<p>"And Peggy gone, too?" Stephen was genuinely surprised at this, for he
+rather expected that she would remain with her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure that the majority of our people are greatly pleased at the
+change," said Mr. Allison. "I never saw one sink to such depths of
+contempt. He came to the city as Military Governor in a blaze of
+triumph, the most celebrated soldier in the army, whose rise to popular
+esteem was only accelerated by the knowledge of the harsh treatment
+received by him at the hands of Congress after the battle of Saratoga.
+He was the idol alike of soldiers and civilians. Their hearts were his
+without the asking. That was two years ago. Today he left the city in
+the fullness of his years, in secret, after so many plaudits, in
+obloquy, after so much honor."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a sad commentary on human nature," Stephen observed. "Yet in all
+things else I blame the woman. 'Cherchez la femme.'"</p>
+
+<p>The room already was reeky from the clouds of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span> tobacco smoke streaming
+upwards from the pipes of the several guests who were lounging in small
+groups about the room. There were several parties in as many corners,
+each wholly unconcerned about the other. The conversation of our trio
+was therefore private insofar as any privacy can be expected in an inn.
+Only the boisterous individual made himself heard, and then only to the
+displeasure of the others.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the two at the Inn, Stephen bade them adieu and directed his
+journey in the direction of Second Street. Hastening his steps he soon
+reached the Germantown road, and as he turned the bend perceived the
+familiar outline of the Allison home. Little did he suspect, however,
+that the curtains of one of the upper windows concealed a lithe form and
+that his swift gait was being interpreted with a world of meaning. He
+laid his hand on the gate, and even then Marjorie had opened the door to
+meet him.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>"First of all," she said, "how long may you remain? Will you dine with
+us, or what?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be most pleased. I have several days. His Excellency has gone
+to Hartford to engage in conference. It was intended that I should
+accompany the staff. I begged leave, however, to return to
+Philadelphia."</p>
+
+<p>They were seated on the sofa in the distant corner of the parlor. They
+were quite alone now for the first time, the mother having asked to be
+excused after many minutes with the announcement that since he would be
+pleased to remain, the supper must needs be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span> prepared. No, Marjorie need
+not help her. She might entertain Captain Meagher.</p>
+
+<p>"It's glorious to see you again," he said, sitting down beside her after
+Mrs. Allison had departed from the room.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you have come," she replied softly, rubbing her hand across
+her apron as if to arrange it neatly.</p>
+
+<p>"But you knew that I would come, didn't you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I thought so."</p>
+
+<p>"And yet I greatly feared that it would not be possible. Preparations
+are being made for the final campaign, and it is expected that the
+French will be asked to play an important part."</p>
+
+<p>"It was very generous of His Excellency to grant you leave."</p>
+
+<p>He began to smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Could you guess how I obtained it?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>She turned to regard him.</p>
+
+<p>"What have you done?" she asked soberly.</p>
+
+<p>"Showed him your letter."</p>
+
+<p>"Stephen!" she gasped as she drew back.</p>
+
+<p>Neither spoke. He continued to smile at her apparent concern, while she
+stared at him.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean it?" she asked; then quickly&mdash;"or are you teasing?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did. I showed the letter to him, and asked if I might return to you."</p>
+
+<p>"He read it?"</p>
+
+<p>"There! There! I am joking. He did not read it, but I did have it in my
+hand, and I told him about you and that I was going back to take you
+with me."</p>
+
+<p>Satisfied, she allowed herself to assume a more relaxed composure.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p><p>"You are going to destroy it, aren't you?"</p>
+
+<p>He took it from his pocket and looked at it. She, too, glanced at it,
+and then at him.</p>
+
+<p>"May I keep it? I treasure every word of it, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you but know how it was composed, you might ridicule me."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you closed yourself behind some great veil to shut out the
+world from your view. Your mind toiled with thought until you were
+resolved upon the heroic. There was no scheme nor formula; your quill
+ran on and on in obedience to the flood of ideas which inspired it."</p>
+
+<p>She lapsed into meditation; but she recovered herself immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"No," she shook her head slowly though steadily. "At midnight with the
+aid of a little candle which burned itself out quite before the end."</p>
+
+<p>He looked up sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"That night?"</p>
+
+<p>She nodded.</p>
+
+<p>He put his arms around her and drew her close. She made no resistance,
+but allowed herself to fall into his embrace.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie!" he whispered.</p>
+
+<p>She yielded both her hands to his grasp and felt them compressed within
+it.</p>
+
+<p>"You were not hurt at my seeming indiscretion?"</p>
+
+<p>"I told you in my letter that I was not."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you do love me?"</p>
+
+<p>She drew back a little as if to glance at him.</p>
+
+<p>"You know that I do," was the soft, reassuring answer.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you let me hear you say it?" he pleaded.</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span></p><p>Reaching out, she put both arms about him and offered her lips to his,
+whispering at the same time only what he was destined to hear.</p>
+
+<p>Presently the old clock began to strike the hour of five.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BVI" id="CHAPTER_BVI"></a>CHAPTER VI</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"Father! Father! Where are you? Arnold has betrayed! He has betrayed his
+country!"</p>
+
+<p>Breathless, Marjorie rushed into the hallway, leaving the door ajar
+behind her. It was late in the afternoon of a September day. The air was
+soft and hazy, tempered with just the chill of evening that comes at
+this time of the year before sundown.</p>
+
+<p>More than two months had passed, months crowded with happiness which had
+filled her life with fancy. Her engagement to Captain Meagher had been
+announced, quietly and simply; their marriage was to take place in the
+fall. Day after day sped by and hid themselves in the records of time
+until the event, anxiously awaited, yet equally dreaded, was but a bare
+month distant. It would be a quiet affair after all, with no ostentation
+or display; but that would in no wise prevent her from looking her
+prettiest.</p>
+
+<p>And so on this September afternoon while she was visiting the shops for
+the purpose of discovering whatever tempting and choice bits of ware
+they might have to offer, she thought she heard the blast of a trumpet
+from the direction of the balcony of the old Governor's Mansion.
+Attracted by the sound, which recalled to her mind a former occasion
+when the news of the battle of Monmouth was brought to the city by
+courier and announced to the public, she quickened her steps<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span> in the
+direction of the venerable building. True, a man was addressing the
+people who had congregated beneath the balcony. Straining every faculty
+she caught the awful news.</p>
+
+<p>Straightway she sped homewards, running as often as her panting breath
+would allow. She did not wait to open the door, but seemed to burst
+through it.</p>
+
+<p>"What was that, child?" her father asked quickly as he met her in the
+dining-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Arnold ... Arnold ..." she repeated, waiting to catch her breath.</p>
+
+<p>"Has betrayed, you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"West Point."</p>
+
+<p>"My God! We are lost."</p>
+
+<p>He threw his hands heavenwards and started across the floor.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it, Marjorie?" asked the mother, who now stood in the
+passageway, a corner of her apron held in both hands, a look of wonder
+and suspicion full upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Father!" the girl replied, apparently heedless of her mother's
+presence, "West Point is saved. Arnold has gone."</p>
+
+<p>"Let him go. But West Point is still ours? Thank God! He is with the
+British, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"So they say. The plot was discovered in the nick of time. His
+accomplice was captured and the papers found upon him."</p>
+
+<p>"When did this happen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Only a few days ago. The courier was dispatched at once to the members
+of Congress. The message was delivered today."</p>
+
+<p>"And General Arnold tried to sell West Point to the British?" commented
+Mrs. Allison, who had <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>listened as long as possible to the disconnected
+story. "A scoundrel of a man."</p>
+
+<p>"Three Americans arrested a suspicious man in the neighborhood of
+Tarrytown. Upon searching him they discovered some papers in the
+handwriting of Arnold containing descriptions of the fortress. They took
+him for a spy."</p>
+
+<p>"I thought as much," said Mrs. Allison. "Didn't I tell you that Arnold
+would do something like that? I knew it. I knew it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God he is not one of us," was Mr. Allison's grave reply. "His act
+would only serve to fan into fury the dormant flames of Pope Day."</p>
+
+<p>"This is an act of vengeance," Marjorie reflected. "He never forgot his
+court-martial, and evidently sought his country's ruin in revenge.
+Adversities he could contend with; humiliation he could not endure."</p>
+
+<p>The little group presented a varied scene. The girl, young, tender, was
+plainly animated with a strong undercurrent of excitement which thrilled
+her entire frame, flushing her cheeks and sparkling in her eyes. Her
+tender years, her inexperience with the world, her guileless mind and
+frank open manner had not yet prepared her for the enormity of the crime
+which had of a sudden been flashed full upon her. For the moment
+realization had given way to wonder. She sensed only the magnitude of
+the tragedy without its atrocious and more insidious details. On the
+other hand there was the father, composed and imperturbable, to whom the
+disclosure of this scheme of the blackest treason was but another
+chapter added to the year of disasters which was just coming to a close.
+His more astute mind, schooled by long experience with the world and its
+artifices, had taught him to view the transit of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span> events with a certain
+philosophy, a sort of pragmatic philosophy, with reference to the causes
+and the results of events and how they bore on the practical utility of
+all concerned; and finally the mother, who in her devout and pious way,
+saw only the Holy Will of God working in all things for His own praise
+and glory.</p>
+
+<p>"And they found the dispatches in his own writing?" the father asked
+deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>"In his stockings, beneath the soles of his feet."</p>
+
+<p>Again there was silence.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a prisoner?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. He was arrested for a spy. They say he is an Adjutant in the
+British army. He was in full disguise."</p>
+
+<p>"Hm!"</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Allison set his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," continued Marjorie, "that it was the effect of a stroke of
+good fortune. He was taken by three men who were lying in wait for
+robbers. Otherwise he might have continued his journey in safety and the
+plot would have succeeded."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God and His Blessed Mother!" breathed Mrs. Allison as she clasped
+her hands together before her in an attitude of prayer.</p>
+
+<p>"And Arnold?" methodically asked Mr. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"He escaped to the British lines. I do not know how, but it seems that
+he has departed. The one important item, which pleased and interested
+the people, was the capture of the spy and the frustration of the plot."</p>
+
+<p>The father left the chair and began to pace the room, his hands behind
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a bad blow. Too bad! Too bad!" he repeated. "I do not like it,
+for it will destroy the <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span>courage and confidence of our people. Arnold
+was the idol of the army, and I fear that his defection will create a
+great change of heart."</p>
+
+<p>"The army will be better off without him," said Mrs. Allison.</p>
+
+<p>"I agree with you," was the reply. "But the people may decide in a
+different manner. There is reason for worry."</p>
+
+<p>"What was the effect of Lee's attempted treason?" spoke up Marjorie.
+"The people loathe him, and he will die an outcast."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no punishment too severe for Lee. He has been from the start
+nothing but a selfish adventurer. But the cases are not parallel. Lee
+was never popular with the army. Arnold, you must remember, was the most
+successful leader in the field and the officer most prized by the
+Commander-in-chief."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless he will sink as fast as he climbed, I think. The country
+must not tolerate a traitor."</p>
+
+<p>"Must not! But will not the circumstance alter the case? I say that
+unless the proofs of Arnold's treason are irrefutable, the people will
+be slow to believe. I don't like it. I don't."</p>
+
+<p>There was some logic in his argument which began to impress Marjorie.
+Arnold could exercise a tremendous amount of influence over the army.
+Whether the strings of loyalty which had united their hearts with his
+would be now snapped by his act of perfidy was the mooted question. As a
+matter of fact a spirit of mutiny already was beginning to make itself
+manifest. The soldiers of Pennsylvania who were encamped on the heights
+of Morristown marched out of camp the following January and set out for
+Philadelphia. They were rebuked by Washington, who sent a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span> letter by
+General Wayne, whereupon they returned to their posts. Later in the same
+month another mutiny occurred among the New Jersey troops, but this,
+too, was quickly suppressed. Just how much responsibility for these
+uprisings might be traced to the treason of Arnold can not be estimated.
+There is no question, however, that his act was not wholly unproductive
+of its psychological effects.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel so sorry for Peggy," Marjorie sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"The young wife has a sore burden thrown upon her. A sorry day it was
+when she met him," was Mrs. Allison's comment.</p>
+
+<p>"Strange, I never suspected Peggy for a moment," Marjorie said. "I had
+been raised with her and thought we knew each other. I am sorry, very
+sorry."</p>
+
+<p>"We do not know how much she is concerned with this," announced Mr.
+Allison, "but her ambition knew no restraint or limitation. She has her
+peerage now."</p>
+
+<p>"And her husband?"</p>
+
+<p>"The grave of a traitor, the sole immortality of degraded ambition,
+religious prejudice, treason and infamy."</p>
+
+<p>"God help him!" exclaimed Mrs. Allison.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>In July, 1780, General Arnold had been placed in command of West Point;
+two months later he was safe on board the British sloop-of-war,
+<i>Vulture</i>. He had attempted to betray his country; he received in
+exchange six thousand pounds sterling, together with a brigadiership in
+the British Army.</p>
+
+<p>From the time he left Philadelphia until the morning of his flight he
+had kept up a continual <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>correspondence with John Anderson. Information
+was at length conveyed to him that Sir Henry Clinton was in possession
+of advices that the American Commander-in-chief contemplated an advance
+on New York by way of King's Bridge. Clinton's scheme would allow the
+army of General Washington to move upon the city, having collected all
+his magazines at the fortification at West Point, but at a given moment
+Arnold was expected to surrender the fort and garrison and compel the
+army of Washington to retire immediately or else suffer capture in the
+field.</p>
+
+<p>Still Arnold felt that everything was not quite settled between Sir
+Henry and himself, and wrote accordingly, advising that a written
+guarantee be forwarded or delivered in person to him by an officer of
+Sir Henry's staff of his own mensuration. He was informed by way of
+reply that the necessary meeting might be arranged, and that the
+emissary would be the Adjutant-General of the British Army.</p>
+
+<p>Accordingly the British sloop <i>Vulture</i> moved up the river as far as
+Stony Point, bearing the Adjutant-General. Arnold had fixed on the house
+of Joshua Smith as the place for the meeting. On the night of the
+twenty-first of September, he sent a boat to the <i>Vulture</i> which brought
+the emissary shore. In a thick grove of cedars, in the shroud of the
+blackest night, Arnold waited the return of the rowboat, its oars
+muffled with sheepskins, its passenger on board. The latter sprang
+lightly to the shore, his large blue watchcoat and high boots alone
+visible. As he climbed the bank and approached the grove, he threw back
+his cloak and revealed the full British uniform of a general officer.</p>
+
+<p>"Anderson?" Arnold exclaimed. "You?"</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span></p><p>"No! Andr&eacute;, Major Andr&eacute;," was the reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Hm! I thought as much. I suspected you from the moment I met you in
+Philadelphia."</p>
+
+<p>"Come. Let us finish. I must return before daybreak."</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your disguise? I advised you to come in disguise."</p>
+
+<p>He understood the piercing glance.</p>
+
+<p>"I have come thus under General Clinton's orders," was the reply. "My
+safety lies in open uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"Let it go at that. Here! I have with me the plans of West Point,
+together with a full inventory of its armament and stores and a roster
+of its garrison."</p>
+
+<p>Andr&eacute; took the papers and glanced at them as best he could by means of
+the lantern light.</p>
+
+<p>"But I do not see here a written promise to surrender the fortress?"</p>
+
+<p>"No! Nor, by Heaven, you shall not receive it," Arnold snapped. "I have
+given my word. That is enough. I have already placed myself in your
+hands by these plans and inventories made in my own handwriting. This is
+all.... No more."</p>
+
+<p>"General Washington visits here on Saturday?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes."</p>
+
+<p>"The surrender must take place that night."</p>
+
+<p>Arnold looked fiercely at him. This was one matter which seemed
+intolerable. To betray his country was treason; to betray his sole
+friend and benefactor was unknown to him by any name in the English
+language. He refused absolutely. Andr&eacute; insisted, and the discussion
+became violent.</p>
+
+<p>Neither became aware of the dawn which was about to break through the
+thicket of fir-trees which bounded the opposite bank of the Hudson.
+Still the details had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span> not been arranged; the matter of Arnold's reward
+was still unsettled. There had been various promises of compensation,
+maintenance of military rank, a peerage or a viceroyalty in one of the
+colonies, but Andr&eacute; was empowered to offer no more than compensation and
+military rank. With the dawning light, the boatmen became alarmed and
+refused to take Andr&eacute; back to his ship, with the result that the two
+conspirators were obliged to pass the time until the next night in the
+house of Joshua Smith.</p>
+
+<p>It so happened that the day brought to pass an unforeseen accident.
+Livingston, the Colonel of "Congress' Own," in command of the batteries
+on the opposite side of the river at Verplanck's Point, opened fire upon
+the <i>Vulture</i>, compelling her to drop down the river. It was necessary,
+therefore, for Major Andr&eacute; to proceed by land down the opposite shore
+until he had met with his vessel, and so late at night he departed, his
+uniform and coat exchanged for a disguise, the six papers in Arnold's
+handwriting crammed between his stockings and feet.</p>
+
+<p>It also happened, by a strange irony of fate, that a party of American
+soldiers had set out that very morning to intercept a band of robbers
+who had infested the roadways of this neighborhood, and who had rendered
+the highways impassable because of their depredations. Near Tarrytown,
+three of this party confronted a passing traveler, and leveling their
+muskets at him, ordered him to halt. They were obeyed on the instant,
+and because of the suspicious manner of the stranger, a complete search
+of him was made. The set of papers was found in their hiding place, and
+he was placed under arrest, and sent to North Castle. There the papers
+were examined, and instead of being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span> sent to General Arnold himself,
+were forwarded to His Excellency, who was known to be lodged at West
+Point. At the same time a complementary letter was sent to General
+Arnold, informing him of what had taken place.</p>
+
+<p>He was at breakfast when the news was brought him. The letter was
+crumbled in his hand as he hastily arose from the table and rushed to
+Peggy's room where he acquainted her of his fate. She screamed and
+fainted. He stooped to kiss his sleeping child; then rushing from the
+house was soon mounted and on his way to the place where he knew a barge
+had been anchored. Jumping aboard he ordered the oarsmen to take him to
+the <i>Vulture</i>, eighteen miles down the river. Next morning he was safe
+within the enemy's lines at New York.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>The minute details of the attempted plot had not filtered into
+Philadelphia when a demonstration had begun in celebration of its
+frustration. Spontaneously and exuberantly the citizens of the city
+gathered in the public square and for several hours the joy-making
+continued with unabated energy and enthusiasm. Like a flash it seemed
+that the full realization of what this news had meant broke like a
+rushing tide upon their consciousness. The country had been threatened;
+but the danger had been averted.</p>
+
+<p>In a few hours the streets were mad with hundreds of people singing and
+shouting and marching in unrestrained glee. Bulletins had been posted in
+the public square acquainting the people of the great facts, yet this
+did not begin to equal the amount of news which<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span> had been relayed from
+mouth to mouth and grew in detail and magnitude as it went. Chains,
+trays, broken iron were dragged in rattling bundles up and down the
+streets amid the laughs and cheers of the mass of humanity that had
+swarmed upon the roadways and sidewalks.</p>
+
+<p>Marjorie and her father were among the early arrivals on Market Street.
+Little by little items of information came to them as they alternately
+talked with their many acquaintances. Out of the many and varied
+accounts one or two points had stood out prominently&mdash;Arnold had
+attempted to surrender the fortress while Washington was lodged there in
+the hope that complete disaster would befall the American cause; he had
+completed negotiations with the British emissary; who was known as Major
+Andr&eacute;, whom the people of Philadelphia associated with the person of
+John Anderson, a frequent visitor of the Arnolds during their stay in
+the city; the officer had been taken prisoner by the American forces and
+the papers found upon him; while Arnold and his wife had escaped to the
+British forces in the city of New York.</p>
+
+<p>When the gayety seemed to have attained its climax, a procession began
+to wend its way through the howling crowd. There was no attempt at
+regular formation, the multitude trailing along in whatever order seemed
+most desirable to them. In the midst of the line of march, two gaunt
+figures towered aloft over the heads of the marchers, the one bearing a
+placard upon which was scrawled the name "Arnold the traitor," the
+other, "Andr&eacute; the spy." These were carried with great acclaim several
+times around the city until the procession rested at the square, where
+amid cheers and huzzas they were publicly burned.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span> This seemed to
+satisfy the crowd, for they gradually began to disperse. The hour was
+late and Marjorie and her father journeyed homewards, passing the
+watchman at the corner as he announced the hour, "Eleven o'clock and
+Arnold is burned."</p>
+
+<p>The state bordering on frenzy into which the mob had been cast was
+responsible, for the most part, for the violence of the celebration,
+nevertheless there stood many sober and composed individuals apart from
+the ranks who had looked on in silent acquiescence during the riotous
+proceedings. Arnold had fallen to the lowest ebb of infamy and contempt
+so that even his past services were entirely forgotten. There was no
+palliation. There were no extenuating circumstances. The enormity of his
+crime alone mattered. His name could not be mentioned without a shudder.</p>
+
+<p>Mount Pleasant was not permitted to remain idle. It soon was seized by
+the city authorities and rented to Baron Steuben, the disciplinarian of
+the American Army and the author of its first Manual of Arms. The
+household furniture, too, had been removed and offered for sale at
+public auction, while the coach and four was bought by a trader at the
+Coffee House. Arnold's presence in the city was now no more than a
+memory&mdash;a memory, indeed, but a sad one.</p>
+
+<p>"He would never escape the fury of that crowd," Mr. Allison observed to
+his daughter as the two journeyed homewards.</p>
+
+<p>"They would surely put him to death."</p>
+
+<p>"If they ever lay hands on him&mdash;they might perhaps cut off his wounded
+leg, but the rest of him they would burn."</p>
+
+<p>She considered.</p>
+
+<p>"I can scarce believe it&mdash;it seems too awful."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span></p><p>"Well! I never could see much good in a bigot. A man with a truly broad
+and charitable soul has no room in him for base designs. Arnold would
+crucify us if he could, yet we have lived to see him repudiated by his
+own."</p>
+
+<p>"It does seem after all that God takes care of His own. Even the sparrow
+does not fall to the ground."</p>
+
+<p>Plainly the spirit of the evening had awakened a serious vein of thought
+in the two. They could take no delight in a tragedy so intimately
+interwoven with pity and compassion. The fate of the two principal
+actors, the courageous Arnold and the ambitious Andr&eacute;, erstwhile known
+as Anderson, could not fail to touch their hearts. Their lot was not
+enviable; but it was lamentable.</p>
+
+<p>"And John Anderson, too," said Marjorie, "I cannot believe it."</p>
+
+<p>"When the truth is known, I am of the opinion that he will be more
+pitied and less condemned. Arnold was the chief actor. Andr&eacute; a mere
+pawn."</p>
+
+<p>"How brilliant he was! You remember his visits? The afternoon at the
+piano?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. He was talented. But to what purpose?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry."</p>
+
+<p>And so were the many.</p>
+
+<hr />
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span></p>
+
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_BVII" id="CHAPTER_BVII"></a>CHAPTER VII</h2>
+
+<h3>I</h3>
+
+<p>"Stephen, wilt thou take Marjorie here present for thy lawful wife,
+according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?"</p>
+
+<p>Audibly and distinctly resounded the voice of Father Farmer throughout
+the little church as he read from the Roman Ritual the form of the
+sacrament of Matrimony.</p>
+
+<p>"I will," answered Stephen deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>"Marjorie, wilt thou take Stephen here present for thy lawful husband,
+according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will," was the soft response.</p>
+
+<p>The two then joined their right hands and repeated one after the other
+the pledge by which they took each other for man and wife; Stephen
+first, then Marjorie.</p>
+
+<p>"I, Stephen, take thee Marjorie for my lawful wife, to have and to hold,
+from this day forward, for better; for worse, for richer, for poorer, in
+sickness and in health, until death do us part."</p>
+
+<p>Solemnly and reverently the priest raised his right hand over them as he
+pronounced the blessing.</p>
+
+<p>"Ego conjungo vos in matrimonium, in nomine Patris et Filii, et Spiritus
+Sancti, Amen."</p>
+
+<p>The ring having been blessed before them, Stephen placed it on
+Marjorie's finger saying the prescribed words, after which they awaited
+the prayers of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span> priest. Father Farmer turned to the altar and at
+once began the Nuptial Mass, according to the ceremony of the Catholic
+Church, and pronounced over them the Nuptial Blessing.</p>
+
+<p>This made an end of the marriage ceremony.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Marjorie as she turned
+from the sanctuary and made her way down the aisle of the little church.
+Her hand lay on Stephen's arm, but it seemed to her as if she were
+hanging from it. She was happy; that, of course. But she thought, too,
+that she was extremely nervous, and the more she thought over herself,
+the more she felt that she appeared extremely self-conscious.</p>
+
+<p>The church was quite filled with friends, yet she dared not look up to
+measure its capacity, but guarded her eyes with the strictest custody.
+The organ was playing an appropriate march which she tried to follow in
+her mind in order that she might thereby absorb the greater part of her
+attention. Stephen was with her, for she could feel him, although she
+was quite certain that she never laid an eye on him during the whole
+time. Her people were there, so were her many friends and acquaintances,
+and Stephen's relatives and friends as well, but these, too, were absent
+as far as her concentration of mind was concerned. Only one thought was
+uppermost in her mind and that was to leave the church as soon as
+possible, for she felt that every eye was focused upon her.</p>
+
+<p>It had been intended that the affair should be charmingly simple, both
+on account of the sad and melancholy days through which the country was
+passing and the natural tendencies of the parties concerned to avoid all
+semblance of display. Their names had been <span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>published at three public
+masses; the Catholic Church required that. They had been married by
+Father Farmer with a nuptial high mass. The wedding breakfast would be
+served at the home of the bride. But the number of invited guests would
+be limited strictly to the members of the family and one or two intimate
+friends so as to include Jim Cadwalader and Sergeant Griffin.
+Furthermore there would be no honeymoon on account of the uncertainty
+which invariably had defined the duration of Stephen's stay in the city.</p>
+
+<p>It was only when the little party, Marjorie and Stephen's sister, her
+maid of honor, and Stephen and Sergeant Griffin, his best man, had
+settled down into the coach, that Marjorie for the first time became
+composed. A great sigh of relief escaped from her as she sat back, her
+bouquet in her hand, and looked at the dispersing crowd. She could not
+tell yet whether she was happy or not; the excitement had not subsided
+enough to allow her to regain her self-possession and equanimity.
+Stephen was by her side. That was about all she knew,&mdash;or cared.</p>
+
+<p>Stephen was in his characteristically reticent mood. Already had he
+observed that he would have endured another Valley Forge with greater
+pleasure than the ordeal of a wedding ceremony. Still he was nicely
+dressed for the occasion, wearing for the first time a new full dress
+uniform of buff and blue. The interested spectator might have discerned,
+too, that he wore for the first time a new insignia of rank; for he was
+now a Major of the Continental Army, having received that promotion,
+upon the recommendation of His Excellency, for distinguished service,
+together with a warm message of congratulation upon his approaching
+marriage. Nevertheless he was unmoved through<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span> it all, betraying but one
+concern, and that was administration to the most trivial wants of his
+blushing and timid bride.</p>
+
+<p>It was the time of joy, of pure, unalloyed joy, yet he could not banish
+altogether from his mind the memories of the past two years, years
+crowded with events in his life and that of his beloved. There was,
+indeed, much to be thankful for, and notwithstanding his exceedingly
+great glee and the day of gladness which had dawned for him flooding his
+heart with exultation and complacent satisfaction, still a prayer of
+praise poured forth from his lips to the Giver of every best and perfect
+gift.</p>
+
+<p>The American Revolution had unfolded a wonderful story, a story of
+anti-Catholicism, of persecution and prejudice which had resolved itself
+step by step into a state of complete freedom of action and religious
+liberty. The Church was at length free, free to gather her children into
+congregations where she might speak to them and instruct them without
+any fear. Now she was at liberty to fulfill her mission of winning souls
+to Christ. True, her children were widely scattered, a bare twenty-five
+thousand out of a population of about three millions, whose wants were
+administered to by no more than twenty-five priests. Yet out of this
+contemptible little body there emerged a people, honorable, respectable,
+and of such consequence as to deserve commendation from the First
+President for "the patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment
+of their Revolution and the establishment of your government," as well
+as causing to be inserted in the Constitution of the new republic the
+clause that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification
+for any office or public trust under the United States."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span> There was of
+course much to be desired; but the foundations had been laid, and the
+prospect for the future was auspicious.</p>
+
+<p>And so they rode through the city streets joyfully, merrily,
+light-heartedly. Conversation, interspersed with laughter and
+jocularity, literally ran riot, so impatiently did each attempt to
+relate what was uppermost in his or her mind. The ceremony, the music,
+the procession, the multitude obtained their due amount of comment,
+until the arrival of the coach at the door of the Allison home put an
+end to the session.</p>
+
+<h3>II</h3>
+
+<p>"A health, ladies and gentlemen, to the bride. May she live long and
+never form the acquaintanceship of sorrow!"</p>
+
+<p>Stephen's father had arisen from his chair and with his goblet held
+before him addressed the company.</p>
+
+<p>It was drunk with evident pleasure. Then Mr. Allison arose.</p>
+
+<p>"To Major Meagher, that his brilliant career be only the commencement of
+a life of extraordinary achievement!"</p>
+
+<p>This was followed by a round of applause. Stephen smiled and bowed his
+head, but it was plain to be seen that his father's chest had expanded
+more than an appreciable trifle. Marjorie was happy and whispered a word
+to her newly formed sister-in-law who was seated by her side. It was a
+jolly group who had surrounded the table, all bent on doing honor to the
+happy couple, but none appeared more so than Jim Cadwalader and his
+wife, Nancy.</p>
+
+<p>"I tell you," said Jim, "they're a right fine pair."</p>
+
+<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span></p><p>"I am afraid, Jim, you have not forgiven me quite for excluding you
+from that meeting," Stephen suggested.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm the proud'st man this side o' the river t' think I gave y' me
+clothes. Y'd never got on widout me."</p>
+
+<p>There was an outburst of laughter.</p>
+
+<p>"You would have been captured, had you gone in there. I saved you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, an' the girl, there, did it. Don't ye furgit that, either. I'll
+tell on y'," replied Jim, nodding his head emphatically. "She got me
+caught."</p>
+
+<p>"Jim!" Marjorie exclaimed loudly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now do not lay the blame on her," Stephen cautioned with a smile. "You
+yourself were only too anxious to get there. You wanted to see yourself
+in a new uniform."</p>
+
+<p>"I did, then. I was terr'bly anxious t' see meself in a red suit, wasn't
+I?"</p>
+
+<p>The company enjoyed this exchange of repartee and laughed continually.
+Jim ever enjoyed the distinction of being tormented by the members of
+whatever gathering he was in, yet it was never known when he was
+powerless of providing for himself.</p>
+
+<p>And so they talked far into the morning. They sat in groups of twos and
+threes, long after the table had been cleared, while the willing
+helpers, the good neighbors, plied themselves industriously out in the
+kitchen with the cleaning of the dishes and the restoration of the house
+again to its proper order. Marjorie and her mother looked in through the
+doorway from time to time at the progress of the work, only to be
+banished as quickly by the cohort of willing toilers. For once in their
+lives the girl and her fond mother mingled<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span> entirely with the guests and
+took their full measure of enjoyment with the company.</p>
+
+<p>As the guests departed one after the other, leaving behind them many
+benedictions and choice wishes for the bride and groom, the house
+settled down to its accustomed quietude and uniformity with the
+immediate family, Jim and his wife alone remaining. Jim, like every
+recognized master in his own household, sat with his one leg across the
+other, enjoying his tobacco, while his less aristocratic helpmate took
+care that the kitchen affairs were given their due amount of attention.
+With abatement of the excitement and commotion the members of the family
+betook themselves upon various journeys, the father to look at his fire
+so as to give it, if needed, a few generous pokes; the mother, to the
+kitchen to add a touch here and there to the arrangement of its
+utensils; Marjorie to her room in order that she might once more robe
+herself in her plainer and more habitual apparel. The festivities were
+at an end and the practical things of life again asserted their stern
+reality.</p>
+
+<h3>III</h3>
+
+<p>At length Stephen and Marjorie were alone, alone in their own little
+world of fancies and dreams. They were standing by the upstairs window
+looking out at the little fence where they had stood together more than
+two years before on the afternoon of his arrest. Stephen recalled his
+impressions of her then, yet she was more beautiful now, he thought. She
+had changed her gown of white for one of pink, and as she stood there,
+her lips a little parted in a tiny smile, her soft cheeks heightened in
+color, her bright eyes looking out<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span> into the memories of the past, she
+seemed for all the world to Stephen like an enchanted being.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking of, girlie?" he asked as he stood behind her, his
+arm about her waist.</p>
+
+<p>There was no response.</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, won't you?" he pleaded.</p>
+
+<p>She continued to gaze into the roadway.</p>
+
+<p>"Aren't you happy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Yes.... Yes.... I was never so happy. I ... I...."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it? Please, tell me. I fear that you are disturbed over
+something."</p>
+
+<p>She did not answer but turned and seized the lapels of his coat with
+both her hands. Then she raised her face to his and looked straight into
+his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking how much I have really cared for you without ever
+knowing it."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all?" he laughed, as he folded his arms about her.</p>
+
+<p>"And how unkind I have been to you all the while."</p>
+
+<p>"There! There! You must not say that again. Promise me you will not so
+much as think it."</p>
+
+<p>Again there was silence, but only for a moment.</p>
+
+<p>"But I must have hurt you often. And to think that I never realized it."</p>
+
+<p>"You are happy now, aren't you?"</p>
+
+<p>She looked up again with only love in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Stephen!" she whispered.</p>
+
+<p>She was lost in his embrace and felt only his breath against her cheek.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p>The world lived in them.</p>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+<p class="tbrk">&nbsp;</p>
+
+<p class="center"><i>Printed in U. S. A</i>.</p>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett
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@@ -0,0 +1,13144 @@
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Loyalist
+       A Story of the American Revolution
+
+Author: James Francis Barrett
+
+Release Date: August 8, 2008 [EBook #26217]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE LOYALIST ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by David Garcia, Martin Pettit and the Online
+Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+THE LOYALIST
+
+_A Story of the American Revolution_
+
+BY
+
+JAMES FRANCIS BARRETT
+
+
+[Illustration: Publisher's logo]
+
+
+P. J. KENEDY & SONS
+NEW YORK
+
+
+COPYRIGHT, 1920, BY
+P. J. KENEDY & SONS, NEW YORK
+
+_Printed in U. S. A._
+
+
+TO MY SISTER
+AS A SLIGHT TOKEN OF LOVE AND ESTEEM
+
+
+
+
+FOREWORD
+
+
+Historical facts constitute the background of this story. Its hero and
+its heroine are, of course, fictitious; but the deportment of General
+Arnold, the Shippen family, the several military and civic personages
+throughout the story is described, for the most part, accurately and in
+conformity with the sober truths of history. Pains have been taken to
+depict the various historical episodes which enter into the story--such
+as the attempted formation of the Regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers,
+the court-martial of Major General Arnold, the Military Mass on the
+occasion of the anniversary of American Independence--with as much
+fidelity to truth as possible. The anti-Catholic sentences, employed in
+the reprimand of Captain Meagher, are anachronisms; they are identical,
+however, with utterances made in the later life of Benedict Arnold. The
+influence of Peggy Shippen upon her husband is vouched for by eminent
+authority.
+
+Due appreciation and sincere gratitude must be expressed to those
+authors from whom much information has been taken,--to John Gilmary
+Shea, in his "History of the Catholic Church in the United States"; to
+Martin I. J. Griffin's "Catholics and the American Revolution"; to F. J.
+Stimson's excellent work, "Memoirs of Benedict Arnold"; to John Fiske's
+"American Revolution," and to the many other works which have freely
+been made use of in the course of this writing. Cordial thanks are also
+due to those who have generously assisted by suggestions and criticisms,
+and especially to those who have devoted their valuable moments to the
+revision of the proof sheets.
+                                                           J. F. B.
+
+
+
+
+THE LOYALIST
+
+
+
+
+PART ONE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+"Please continue, Peggy. You were telling me who were there and what
+they wore. Oh, dear! I am so sorry mother would not give me leave to go.
+Was it all too gay?"
+
+"It was wonderful!" was the deliberate reply. "We might have danced till
+now had not Washington planned that sudden attack. We had to leave
+then,--that was early this morning,--and I spent the day abed."
+
+It was now well into the evening and the two girls had been seated for
+the longest time, it seemed, on the small sofa which flanked the east
+wall of the parlor. The dusk, which had begun to grow thick and fast
+when Marjorie had come to visit Peggy, was now quite absorbed into
+darkness; still the girls had not lighted the candles, choosing to
+remain in the dark until the story of the wonderful experience of the
+preceding day had been entirely related.
+
+The grand pageant and mock tournament, the celebrated Mischienza,
+arranged in honor of General Howe, who had resigned his office as
+Commander-in-chief of His Majesty's forces in America to return to
+England, there to defend himself against his enemies in person, as
+General Burgoyne was now doing from his seat in Parliament, was an event
+long to be remembered not alone from the extravagance of its display,
+but from the peculiar prominence it afforded the foremost families of
+the city, particularly that of the Shippens.
+
+Edward Shippen was a gentleman of rank, of character, of fortune, a
+member of one of the oldest and most respected families in the city of
+Philadelphia, whose ancestor, of the same name, had been Mayor of the
+city nigh an hundred years before. He belonged to the Society of
+Friends, or Quakers, and while he took no active interest on either side
+during the years of the war, still he was generally regarded as one of
+the sympathizers of the Crown. Because of the social eminence which the
+family enjoyed and the brilliance and genial hospitality which
+distinguished their affairs, the Shippens were considered the undisputed
+leaders of the social set of Philadelphia. The three lovely Misses
+Shippen were the belles of the more aristocratic class. They were
+toasted frequently by the gay English officers during the days of the
+British occupation, for their father's house was often the rendezvous of
+the titled celebrities of the day.
+
+"And was your Captain there, too?" continued Marjorie, referring, of
+course, to Captain Monstresor, the engineer of the undertaking, an
+erstwhile admirer of Mistress Peggy.
+
+"You must know, my dear, that he arranged the spectacle. I saw little of
+him until the dance. In truth, he seemed more popular than General Howe
+himself."
+
+Marjorie sat up.
+
+"Tell me! Did the tournament begin the program?"
+
+"No!" replied Peggy. "The military procession of boats and barges with
+Lords Howe and Rawdon, General Howe and General Clinton, opened the
+event in the late morning, sailing up the river to the Wharton House,
+the scene of the tournament."
+
+Marjorie nodded.
+
+"The noise of the guns was deafening. When the flotilla arrived at
+Walnut Grove, which was lined with troops and bedecked brilliantly with
+flags and bunting, the pageant opened."
+
+"Where were you in the meantime?" asked Marjorie, careful to lose no
+detail.
+
+"We were seated in the pavilions,--seven ladies in each,--clothed in
+Turkish garments, each wearing in her turban the favor to be bestowed on
+her victorious knight."
+
+"And who was your knight?"
+
+"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," quickly replied Peggy, her eyes
+beaming with a smile of evident satisfaction and proud joy.
+
+"Lord Cathcart, whom I met here?"
+
+"The same," answered Peggy. "He was the leader of the 'Knights of the
+Blended Rose.'"
+
+"What an odd name!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I know it. They were named after their device. They were dressed in
+white and red silk, mounted on gray horses and attended by esquires.
+They were preceded by a herald who bore their device, two roses
+intertwined above the motto, 'We droop when separated.' My knight rode
+at the head, attended by two British Officers, and his two esquires, the
+one bearing his lance, the other his shield emblazoned with his
+device--Cupid astride a lion--over the motto, Surrounded by love.'"
+
+"You little Tory," interrupted Marjorie. "I shall tell General
+Washington that you are disloyal and have lent your sympathy to a
+British Officer."
+
+"I care little. The Yankees are without refinement----"
+
+"Don't you dare say that," snapped Marjorie, her whole being animated
+with sudden anger. "It is untrue and you know it. They are patriots
+and----"
+
+"Forgive me, dear," murmured Peggy, laying her hand on the arm of her
+irate friend. "I said that only in jest. I shan't continue if you are
+vexed."
+
+There was silence.
+
+"Please! I am not angry," Marjorie pleaded. "Do continue."
+
+"I forget my story now. What did I tell? There was so much that I am
+confused."
+
+"The Knights of the Rose!" suggested Marjorie.
+
+"Oh, yes! Well, this body of knights made the circuit of the square and
+then saluted their ladies. On a sudden, a herald advanced with a
+flourish of trumpets and announced that the ladies of the Blended Rose
+excelled in wit, beauty, grace, charm and accomplishments those of the
+whole world and challenged a denial by deeds of arms. Whereupon a
+counter sound of trumpets was heard from afar and another herald
+galloped before a body of knights in black and orange silk with the
+device--a wreath of flowers surrounding a burning heart--over the motto,
+'Love and Glory.' These were the Knights of the Burning Mountain, who
+came to dispute the claim of the Knights of the Blended Rose."
+
+"It must have been gorgeous!" exclaimed Marjorie, clasping her hands
+before her.
+
+"Indeed it was. Well, after several preliminaries, the encounter took
+place, the knights receiving their lances together with their shields
+from their esquires, whereupon they saluted and encountered at full
+speed, shivering their spears against the shield of their adversaries.
+They next encountered and discharged their pistols and then fought with
+swords. Again the two chiefs of the warring factions, Captain Cathcart
+of the Blended Rose and Captain Watson of the Burning Mountain, met in
+mid field to try their arms as champions of their respective parties.
+They parried and thrust with true knightly valor until Major Grayson, as
+marshal of the field, intervened at the critical moment, declaring the
+ladies of both parties to be fully satisfied with the proofs of love and
+the feats of valor displayed by their knights. He then commanded the
+combatants to desist. Thus ended the tournament."
+
+"How wonderful!" sighed Marjorie. "I would I had been present. And your
+knight was the hero?"
+
+"Of course," replied Peggy with a smile. "I am sure that he would have
+worsted Captain Watson, had not the Major stepped in. But the banquet
+was splendid."
+
+"And Captain Cathcart!" reminded Marjorie, with a slight manifestation
+of instinctive envy.
+
+"Why! He attended me, of course," was the proud response. "Each knight
+escorted his lady through the triumphal arches erected in honor of the
+Generals who were present, along the long avenue lined on both sides
+with the troops and the colors of the army. At the third arch, which was
+dedicated to General Howe and which bore on its top a huge flying figure
+of Fame, we entered the great Hall. There refreshments were served and
+the dancing began. It continued until midnight. The windows were then
+thrown open and we witnessed the wonderful display of fireworks. And
+then the supper!
+
+"Gorgeous, of course!" exclaimed Marjorie.
+
+"Gorgeous, indeed!" Peggy repeated--"a great room, with fifty or more
+pier glasses, draped with green silk and hundreds of varieties of
+flowers of as many hues and shades. An hundred branches of lights,
+thousands of tapers, four hundred and thirty covers, and there must have
+been more than twelve hundred dishes. The attendants were twenty-four
+black slaves garbed oriental fashion with silver collars and bracelets.
+And then we danced and danced until dawn, when we were interrupted by
+the sound of distant cannon."
+
+"And then your knights were called to real war," remarked Marjorie.
+
+"For the moment all thought this to be part of the program, the signal
+for another great spectacle. Suddenly everything broke into confusion.
+The officers rushed to their commands. The rest of us betook ourselves
+as best we could. We came home and went to bed, tired in every bone.
+Mother is sorry that I attended, for she thought it too gay. But I would
+not have lost it for the world."
+
+And perhaps her mother was right. For Peggy was but eighteen, the
+youngest of the Shippen family. The other girls were somewhat older, yet
+the three were considered the most beautiful debutantes of the city, the
+youngest, if in anything, the more renowned for grace and manner. Her
+face was of that plumpness to give it charm, delicate in contour, rich
+with the freshness of the bloom of youth. Her carriage betrayed
+breeding and dignity. And all was sweetened by a magnetism and vivacity
+that charmed all who came within her influence. Still her attitude was
+the more prepossessing than permanent.
+
+Like her father, she was a Quaker in many of her observances. To that
+creed she adhered with a rigorous determination. She had so often
+manifested her political sympathies, which were intensified to an
+irrational degree as appeared from passionate disclosures, that her
+father was led to observe that she was more a Tory at heart than General
+Howe himself.
+
+Her companion, Marjorie Allison, was about her own age, but as intensely
+American as she was English. Her parents had always lived in
+Philadelphia, as their parents had before them, coming originally from
+the Mother country to which they were now opposed in martial strife. The
+thrill of patriotism for the cause of the infant republic, which
+throbbed violently within her breast, had been inspired to enthusiasm
+more by the intense antipathy for the Church of England than for the
+government itself. This antipathy was kept alive and invigorated by the
+doleful memory of the privations and adversities endured by her
+ancestors from the agents of this same government because of their
+Catholic worship and their heroic efforts to follow their religious
+convictions.
+
+The sympathies of the Allisons were undivided. They were notorious
+Whigs, ardent champions of the rights which the new government so
+strongly asserted, and which they had pledged themselves stoutly to
+defend; ardent champions of the eternal principles on which the new
+republic was built. The psychology of the Allisons' allegiance did not
+differ from that of innumerable other families. Usually, strange to
+relate, society, while constantly moving forward with eager speed, is
+just as constantly looking backward with tender regrets. But no regrets
+were here. Religious persecution leaves no tender memories in its trail.
+Dissatisfaction with the past is seldom rendered more memorable than by
+the fanatic attempt to separate the soul from its God.
+
+Marjorie and Peggy had been friends from girlhood. They understood each
+other very well. Each knew and appreciated the other's peculiarities,
+her virtues and her foibles, her political propensities and religious
+convictions. They never discussed their religious differences. They
+avoided such a clash out of respect for each other's convictions. Not
+so, however, in matters relating to the form of government. Marjorie was
+a Whig, an ardent champion of the rights of the Colonists, while her
+more aristocratic friend was Tory in her sentiments, moderate, it is
+true, but nevertheless at times much inclined to the extreme.
+Notwithstanding these differences, their friendship had been constant
+and they had always shared their joys and sorrows.
+
+The days of the British occupation of the city had been glorious ones
+for Peggy and her sisters. The love of display and finery which was
+characteristic of them was satiated by the brilliance and the gayety of
+the winter season during which the titled British Officers were feted
+and entertained extravagantly. None outshone the Shippens in the
+magnificence of their entertainments. Their house was ever open in
+hospitality, and more than once it had been whispered about that their
+resources had reached the point of exhaustion.
+
+At these functions Marjorie found herself a welcome guest. For Peggy
+took care that her little friend was never overlooked, even if on one
+occasion a pang of regret sent her to bed with copious tears when the
+favor for the evening had been bestowed upon her fair guest. Marjorie,
+however, maintained a mature composure and a marked concern, as was her
+wont, throughout it all, and Peggy again reassured herself that her
+misgivings were without foundation. For Marjorie disliked the titled
+gentry. They were without exception hostile to the faith to which she so
+steadfastly adhered. She bore with them merely for the pleasure which
+she derived from the coterie made brilliant by their participation.
+
+And so the winter passed, giving way to lovely, spring, whose gentle
+zephyrs dispelled the cold, the ice and the snow that had sent the
+British into the ballrooms for protection, and had afflicted and
+distressed the patriots at Valley Forge. With the advent of favorable
+weather, operations began anew; the hopes and the courage of the
+colonists were now exalted to the highest pitch. The disasters of Long
+Island and Fort Washington had been offset by the victory at Saratoga.
+While the British had taken and held the important cities of New York
+and Philadelphia as well as the town of Newport, still they had lost an
+army and had gained nothing but the ground on which they were encamped.
+
+Now, at the beginning of the fourth period of the war, the joyful news
+was heralded far and wide that the government of France had formally
+acknowledged the independence of the United States and that help was on
+the way to assist the Colonists in their struggle. At the same time the
+conciliatory measures of Lord North in Parliament gave indication to
+the patriots that the British Government was weakening. The joy of the
+Whigs knew no bounds, and Marjorie was beside herself as she related the
+glad tidings over and over again. The fourth epoch of the war augured
+well for the success of the cause.
+
+
+II
+
+In all the Colonies there was at this stage of the war no city more
+important than Philadelphia. Whatever there was among the Colonists of
+wealth, of comfort, of social refinement, of culture and of courtly
+manners was here centered. Even the houses were more imposing than
+elsewhere throughout the country. They were usually well constructed of
+stone or brick with either thatched or slated roofs. They were supplied
+with barns bursting with the opulence of the fields. The countryside
+round about was teeming with fatness. Indeed, in all the colonies no
+other place was so replete with affluence and comfort.
+
+Nor was it without its gentry, cultured and dignified. Its inhabitants
+were, for the most part, made up of members of old Quaker families and
+others faithful to the Church of England and devoted to the political
+principles of the Mother country,--the proud possessors of wealth and
+the exemplars of the most dignified deportment. Already were its fair
+sex renowned abroad as well as at home for their "beauty, grace and
+intelligence." They moved with all the gayety and charm of court ladies.
+The wealth and luxury of a capital city were there; for even in the
+infancy of the republic, Philadelphia had attained a distinction,
+unique and preeminent. What was more natural, then, than that their
+allegiance should be divided; the so-called fashionable set adhering to
+the crown; the common townsfolk, the majority of whom were refugees from
+an obnoxious autocracy, zealously espousing the colonists' cause, and
+the middle class, who were comprised of those families holding a more or
+less neutral position in the war, and who were willing to preserve their
+estates and possessions, remaining undecided, and in their manner
+maintaining good offices with both sides throughout the strife.
+
+The British Army took possession of the city, after its victorious
+encounter on the Brandywine, on the twenty-sixth of September, 1777. Sir
+William Howe selected for his headquarters the finest house in the city,
+the mansion which was once the home of Governor Richard Penn, grandson
+of William Penn. Here General Howe and his staff of officers passed a
+gay winter. They were much more interested in the amusements, the
+gayeties, the dissipations carried on in this old Quaker City than in
+any efforts to capture the army of General Washington.
+
+The infatuate populace, indifferent to the progress of the Revolution,
+unaffected for the most part by the righteousness of the cause of the
+Colonists, became enamored of the brilliance and the fashion and the
+display of the English nobility. They cordially welcomed General Howe
+and his young officers, electing them the leaders and the favorites in
+all the social gayeties and amusements of the season. Such was the
+luxury and dissipation of the British in the city, at dinner parties,
+cock-fights, amateur theatrical performances, that Dr. Franklin was led
+to remark in Paris that General Howe had not taken Philadelphia as much
+as Philadelphia had taken General Howe.
+
+The general plan of campaign for the year 1777 did not include the
+capture of Philadelphia. Howe had been ordered to march from New York,
+which he had taken the preceding August, to the vicinity of Albany.
+There he was to join forces with the army from Canada under General
+Burgoyne, which was to penetrate northern New York. Why he elected to
+march against Philadelphia and be obliged to retrace his steps in order
+to reach Burgoyne was unknown at the time. The total collapse of
+Burgoyne's expedition at Saratoga and the menace of the American Army
+under General Washington obliged him to alter his plan and to remain in
+the vicinity of Philadelphia, which city he made his headquarters for
+the winter.
+
+In the meantime the army of General Washington, which had been
+continually harassing the English forces, went into winter quarters in
+close proximity, at Valley Forge, a bare twenty miles distant, northwest
+of the city. Here the little army of the Colonists menaced the position
+of the British while enduring with heroic fortitude the severities of
+the winter season. Shoeless and shivering, the soldiers prepared these
+winter quarters of cold huts, rudely constructed; themselves overcoated
+in torn blankets, with stuffed straw in their boots for want of
+stockings. Their food was as scarce as their clothing and at one time
+more than two thousand men were reported unfit for duty because barefoot
+and otherwise naked. Many a night the men were compelled to remain
+seated by the fire for want of blankets. Day by day the supply of fuel
+diminished, and the neighborhood became more destitute of trees and
+timber.
+
+The morale of the troops seemed to feed on misfortune; but their hopes
+and courage were suddenly intensified when the news of the Alliance with
+France reverberated throughout the camp to the booming of cannon and the
+shouts of the whole army. There was no respite, however. While the enemy
+was living in luxury and comfort in the gay city, the Continentals under
+the patience of Washington, and the military genius of Von Steuben, were
+being rounded into a toughened and well drilled fighting machine, strong
+in organization and bold in spirit, a worthy match for the rapid and
+accurate movements for which the better equipped British army was
+becoming famous.
+
+That Sir William Howe found it easier to loiter in Philadelphia than to
+play a strategic game against Washington in the depths of an American
+winter, was due no less to the want of decision which characterized all
+of his actions than to the stupid mismanagement with which the campaign
+of 1777 was directed. The British had gained the two most important
+American cities, New York and Philadelphia, but the entire American army
+was still in the field. The acquisition of territory was of no military
+importance while the forces of the enemy remained intact and well
+organized. Moreover, Burgoyne was left to his fate and at Saratoga an
+army was lost.
+
+Nor was any advantage to be derived from the possession of the American
+capital. Washington's position at Valley Forge had held the British in
+check all winter. And whatever of work the Congress was required to do
+could as well be done at York as at Philadelphia. As a basis for
+military operation the city was without value, for it was difficult to
+defend and hard to supply with foodstuffs. But it was rich,
+extravagant, fashionable, a "place of crucifying expenses," and its
+fine houses, good pavements, and regular arrangement of streets,
+impressed Howe as the most fitting place for the British Army to
+establish winter quarters. And so they sat down to wait for spring.
+
+
+III
+
+"We shall never forget the splendor of it all; it was wonderful!"
+exclaimed Peggy with a deep sigh.
+
+"A farewell party!" said Marjorie. "Undoubtedly the gallant Britishers
+outdid themselves. Howe leaves soon, does he not?"
+
+"Yes. Next week."
+
+"Which means that the period of entertaining is about to come to an
+end."
+
+"I suppose. But wasn't the winter glorious? I shall never forget it."
+
+A smile covered her face, dotting her cheeks with two tiny dimples. She
+held her hands together over her knees while she sat quite motionless,
+her eyes looking out into the darkness of the room.
+
+Presently she bethought herself.
+
+"Let us light the tapers!" she announced, jumping up from the sofa.
+
+"It is late," Marjorie remarked, as she, too, prepared to arise. "I must
+leave for home."
+
+"Stay! It is still early. Soon we shall be obliged to settle into
+quietude. Dark days are before us."
+
+"Why!" Marjorie exclaimed. "I should think that the future augurs well.
+I do wish the soldiers would evacuate the city."
+
+"When General Howe leaves, all may as well leave with him."
+
+"When does he leave, did you say?" impatiently asked her true American
+friend.
+
+"Next week, I understand. The great Mischienza, you know, was arranged
+in his honor as a farewell celebration."
+
+"General Clinton, I presume, will succeed. He seems the most logical
+choice."
+
+"Yes. He already has been appointed to the supreme command."
+
+"I hope he decides to evacuate."
+
+"I do not know. Perhaps," was the sole response.
+
+But it already had been decided. Upon the departure of General Howe,
+instructions were forwarded from the ministry to Sir Henry Clinton, the
+new Commander-in-chief, to evacuate the city at once. The imminent
+arrival of the French fleet, together with the increasing menace of the
+Continental Army at Valley Forge, constituted a grave peril to the
+isolated army of the British. Hence it was determined that the capital
+city must be abandoned.
+
+Clinton intended to transfer his army to New York by water in order that
+the bulk of his forces might be concentrated for the spring campaign. On
+account of the vast number of Tories who, apprehensive of their personal
+effects, had begged to be transferred with him, he was obliged to forego
+his original intention of sailing by water in favor of a march overland.
+Accordingly on the morning of June 18, 1778, the rear-guard of the
+British marched out of the city and on that same afternoon the American
+advance entered and took possession with Major General Benedict Arnold,
+the hero of Saratoga, as Military Governor.
+
+The joy of the Whig populace knew no bounds. No longer would the
+shadows of dark despair and abandoned hope hang like a pall over the
+capital city. No longer would the stately residences of the Tory element
+be thrown open for the diversion and the junket of the titled gentry. No
+more would the soldiery of an hostile army loiter about the street
+corners or while away the hours at the Taverns or at the Coffee Houses.
+The Congress was about to return. The city would again become the
+political as well as the civic center of American affairs. The people
+would be ruled by a governor of their own accord and sympathy.
+Philadelphia was to enter into its own.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+I
+
+"It won't do, I tell you. And the sooner he realizes this the more
+satisfactory will it become for all concerned."
+
+"Sh-h-h," answered Mrs. Allison in a seemingly heedless manner. She was
+seated by the side window in her old rocker, intent only on her three
+needles and the ball of black yarn. "Judge not, that you may not be
+judged!" she reminded him.
+
+"He is too imprudent. Only today he contemptuously dismissed the Colonel
+and the secretary; later he requested them to dine with him. We don't
+like it, I tell you."
+
+As a matter of fact, there was no more staunch defender or constant
+advocate of the cause of the Colonists than Matthew Allison himself; and
+when the proclamation of the new Military Governor ordering the closing
+of the shops and the suspension of business in general until the
+question of ownership was established, had been issued, he was among the
+first of the citizens to comply with it. True, his sole source of income
+had been temporarily suspended. But what matter? It meant order and
+prevented the wares from falling into the hands of the enemy. His small
+shop had enabled himself together with his wife and daughter to eke out
+a comfortable existence. Their cozy home while unmistakably plain and
+unadorned with the finer appointments indicative of opulence,
+nevertheless was not without charm and cheeriness. It was delightful in
+simplicity and neat arrangement.
+
+Allison had welcomed the entry of General Arnold into the city as a hero
+coming into his own, but he was not slow in perceiving that the
+temperament of the man rendered him an unhappy choice for the
+performance of the onerous duties which the successful administration of
+the office required. Readily and with genuine satisfaction did he yield
+to the initial mandate of the Governor; but when the scent of luxury
+from this same Governor's house, the finest mansion in the city and the
+identical one lately occupied by the British commander, was diffused
+throughout the city causing murmurs of criticism and dissension, Matthew
+Allison forgot for the moment his oath of fealty and gave expression to
+pain and dissatisfaction.
+
+"Why allow yourself to be disturbed at his manner of living?" asked his
+wife, picking up the conversation at the point where he had left it.
+
+"And you and I and the vast majority of us sacrificing our all. Why they
+tell me that his quarters abound in luxury to a degree never excelled by
+Howe himself."
+
+"Well!" was the simple reply.
+
+"And the Massachusetts Regiment has been appointed his guard of honor;
+and that two armed soldiers have been stationed at the doorposts."
+
+Allison spoke with evident passion, the ardor of which pervaded his
+entire being.
+
+"And yet I dare say you would be the first to disapprove of the other
+extreme," admonished Mrs. Allison in her soft and gentle way. "Under
+martial law you know, there must be no relaxation of discipline,
+notwithstanding the fact that the Americans once more control the city."
+
+"Laxity or no laxity, it is extravagant for him to be housed in the
+finest mansion in the city with a retinue of servants and attendants
+only excelled by Sir William Howe; to be surrounded by a military guard
+of selective choice; to maintain a coach and four with footmen and
+servants, all equipped with livery of the most exclusive design; to live
+in the greatest splendor, notwithstanding the avowed republican
+simplicity of the country as well as the distressed condition of our
+affairs and finances. Who is paying for this extravagance? We, of
+course. We are being taxed and supertaxed for this profligate waste
+while our shops are closed to all future trade. These are not alone my
+opinions; they are the expressions of the men about town. This was the
+sole topic of conversation today at the Coffee House."
+
+For where else would the news of the day be found if not on the street
+corners or at the Coffee House? This latter institution, like its London
+prototype, was the chief organ through which the public opinion of the
+metropolis continually asserted itself. Its convenience lay in its
+adaptability for the making of appointments at any hour of the day, or
+for the passing of an evening socially for a very small charge. It had
+its characters who became as famous as the institution itself, its
+orators to whose eloquence the crowd listened with admiration, its
+medical men who might be consulted on any malady merely for the asking,
+its poets and humorists who in winter occupied the chairs of learning
+nearest the stove and in summer held the choice places on the balcony,
+and who discoursed fables and politics with renewed embellishment upon
+the advent of every newcomer. The atmosphere always reeked with the
+fumes of tobacco. Nowhere else was smoking more constant than at the
+Coffee House. And why any one would leave his own home and fireside to
+sit amid such eternal fog, was a mystery to every good housewife. But
+every man of the upper or the middle class went daily to the Coffee
+House to learn and discuss the news of the day.
+
+"I suppose Jim Cadwalader waxed warm today on the subject and gave you
+inspiration," submitted Mrs. Allison. "Why do you not suspend your
+judgment for a while until you learn more about the Governor,--at any
+rate give him the benefit of a doubt until you have some facts," mildly
+replied Mrs. Allison with that gentle manner and meekness of temper
+which was characteristic of her.
+
+"Facts!" said he, "I am telling you that these are facts. The Colonel
+saw this, I tell you, for he dined with him. And I want to tell you
+this," he announced pointing towards her, "he hates the Catholics and is
+strongly opposed to any alliance with a Catholic country."
+
+"Never mind, my dear. We cannot suffer for that."
+
+"I know, but it may concern us sooner or later. Our fathers endured
+severe tortures at the hands of a bigoted Government, and if the new
+republic gives promise of such unhappy tidings, we may as well leave the
+earth."
+
+"I would not take any undue alarm," quietly answered Mrs. Allison as her
+deft fingers sped on with the knitting. "General Washington is
+broad-minded enough to appreciate our loyalty and our spirit of
+self-sacrifice. And besides the new French Alliance will prevent any of
+the intolerance which made itself manifest in the person of King
+George. With a Catholic ally, the government cannot very well denounce
+the Catholics as you will discover from the repealing of several of the
+laws which rendered life more or less obnoxious in some of the colonies.
+And I think, too, that we have given more than our share to the cause.
+With so much to our credit, no public official, whatever his natural
+inclination, can afford to visit his bigotry on us. I would not worry
+about General Arnold. He will not molest us, I am sure."
+
+"I don't think that he pleases me anyway."
+
+"And why?" she paused to ask. "Because he maintains too expensive a
+livery, or has surrounded himself by too many attendants?"
+
+"No. I dislike the man. I do not like his traits."
+
+"It is unkind of you to say that. Who enjoys a greater reputation for
+skill or bravery or personal courage than he? What would have become of
+Gates, or our army, or the French Alliance were he not at Saratoga, and
+there too without a command, you must remember."
+
+"I know all that, but he is too blunt, too headstrong, too proud,
+too----"
+
+Marjorie's figure at the door interrupted him.
+
+
+II
+
+Although Mistress Allison was not twenty, she maintained the composure
+of a married woman, sedate and reserved like the matrons of this period.
+Her dress was neat and well chosen, a chintz cotton gown, of a very
+pretty blue stamp, blue silk quilt and a spotted figured apron. The
+vivacity of her manner and the winsomeness of her behavior were
+prepossessing, and she was beautiful to look upon: her complexion as
+dazzling white as snow in sunshine; except her cheeks, which were a
+bright red; and her lips, of a still deeper crimson. Her small oval face
+was surmounted by a wealth of dark brown hair, craped up with two rolls
+on each side and topped with a small cap of beautiful gauze and rich
+lace,--a style most becoming to a girl of her age. Health, activity,
+decision were written full upon her, whether in the small foot which
+planted itself on the ground, firm but flexible, or in the bearing of
+her body, agile or lofty.
+
+She was the only child of Mr. Allison and a much admired member of the
+city's middle class. And while it is true that a certain equality in
+class and social refinement was an attribute of the American people
+which found great favor in the eyes of the older world inhabitants, it
+is equally true that this equality was more seeming than real. This was
+due to a great extent to the distinction established by the wealth and
+the liberties enjoyed by the various classes of people. It was said, and
+not without a semblance of truth, that the inhabitants of Philadelphia
+were rated according to their fortunes. The first class was known as the
+carriage folk, who proclaimed, almost without exception, their pretended
+descent from the ancient English families by their coats of arms
+imprinted upon their carriage doors. The second class was composed of
+the merchants, lawyers, and business men of the city; and the third
+class, were those who exercised the mechanical arts. These felt their
+social inferiority and never hoped for any association with the upper
+classes. The Allisons were of the middle rank, and were looked upon as
+its most respected members.
+
+Plain, simple-living folk, they made no pretense to display. Neither did
+they affect aristocracy. Their manner of living was as comfortable as
+their modest means would allow. It was a common habit for the people of
+this class to indulge in luxury far beyond their resources and no small
+amount of this love of ostentation was attributed to the daughters of
+the families. In this respect Marjorie offended not in the least.
+Whether assisting her father in the shop during the busy hours, or
+presiding at the Coffee House, or helping her mother with the affairs of
+the household, she was equally at home. Neither the brilliance of the
+social function, nor the pleasures of the dance roused unusual desires
+in her. Indeed she seldom participated in such entertainments, unless on
+the invitation and in company with the Shippen family with whom she was
+on the most intimate terms of friendship. The gay winter season of the
+British occupation of the city produced no change in her manner or
+attire. The dazzling spectacle of the Mischienza found her secluded in
+her home, more from her own desire than from her pretended deference to
+the wishes of her mother.
+
+Her happiness was in her homelife. This was the center of her affection
+as well as of her tenderest solicitude. Here she busied herself daily,
+either in the care of the house, and the preparation of the meals, which
+were by no means sumptuous owing to the scarcity of all foodstuffs, or
+at the wheel where she made shirtings and the sheetings for the army. A
+touch of her hand here and there, to this chair, slightly out of place,
+to this cup or that plate in the china-chest, to the miniature on the
+wall, leaning slightly to one side, or the whisk of her sweeping-brush
+through the silver-sand on the floor, transformed a disorderly aspect
+into one of neatness and taste. It was here that she spent her days,
+enduring their unvarying monotony, with sweet and unbroken contentment.
+
+As she hurriedly entered the house, she arrested the attention of her
+father and put a period to the conversation.
+
+"Oh, Father, have you heard?"
+
+"What news now, child!"
+
+"Washington has engaged the British."
+
+"And how fared?"
+
+"They were compelled to withdraw."
+
+"Thank God."
+
+"Where, Marjorie, did you come by this good news?" inquired the mother.
+
+"At the State House. A courier arrived from Monmouth with the tidings,"
+answered Marjorie, still nervous to narrate the story, and forgetting to
+remove her hat.
+
+"When did this happen?" asked her father, impatiently.
+
+"It seems that General Washington started in pursuit of Clinton as soon
+as he had evacuated the city. He had decided that an attack must be made
+as soon as possible. When the British reached Allentown, they found the
+American army gaining the front and so they turned towards Monmouth.
+Near the Court House the British were outflanked and the Americans
+gained the superior ground and so the battle was won. Then General Lee
+ordered a retreat."
+
+"A retreat?" exploded Mr. Allison. "What for?"
+
+"I do not know, but that was the report. Lee retreated when Washington
+arrived on the scene," continued Marjorie.
+
+"And then?"
+
+"He rallied the troops to another front and began the attack anew,
+driving the British back a considerable distance. Nightfall ended the
+battle, and when day broke, Clinton had withdrawn."
+
+"And Lee ordered a retreat!" exclaimed Mr. Allison. "A damned poltroon!"
+
+"All say the same. The crowd was furious upon hearing the message,
+although some thought it too incredible. The joy of victory, however,
+made them forget the disgraceful part."
+
+"My faith in him has never faltered," quietly observed Mrs. Allison, as
+she prepared to resume the knitting from which she had ceased on the
+sudden entry of Marjorie.
+
+"And his pretended friends must now croak forth his praises," rejoined
+her husband.
+
+"There were shouts and cheers," continued Marjorie, "as the news was
+being announced. Each newcomer would add another detail to the story
+with beaming delight. All said that the retreat from the city and the
+defeat of the British augured a speedy termination of the war. The
+country is wholly united again under General Washington."
+
+"And what will become of Lee?" asked the father.
+
+"The traitor!" snapped Marjorie. "They ought to court-martial him. The
+crowd greeted his name with hisses when the details began to impress
+themselves upon them. I dare say, he has few friends in the city
+tonight, expect perhaps among the Tories. He is a disgrace to the
+uniform he wears."
+
+"Undoubtedly, the losses were heavy."
+
+"No one seemed to know. The minor details of the engagement are still
+unknown. They will come later. The consoling feature is that the enemy
+were compelled to withdraw, which would indicate that they were worsted.
+The remnants, I suppose, will concentrate at New York. There will occur
+the next great battle."
+
+"God grant that it will soon be over," exclaimed Mrs. Allison.
+
+"And now, daughter, have you more news?" asked her father.
+
+"Oh, yes! General Arnold is going to give a ball at the City Tavern on
+the Fourth of July to the officers of the French Army. It will be under
+the auspices of the American officers of Washington's command and in
+honor of the loyal ladies who had withheld from the Mischienza. And I
+have been invited to attend."
+
+"I should think that we have had enough of social life here during the
+past winter," quietly announced the father.
+
+"Well," replied Marjorie, "this affair is to exclude all who
+participated in the English Army festivities. Only Americans will be
+present."
+
+"How did you come by this report?" asked her mother.
+
+"Peggy Shippen. I stopped there for a short time. They told me of the
+proposed invitation and that I was included."
+
+"How came they by the news?"
+
+"I suppose General Arnold told them."
+
+"Is he acquainted with them? I wonder----"
+
+"Yes. They were presented to him, and he has already honored them with
+his visit."
+
+"I don't like this," said Mr. Allison, "and you can be assured that
+there will be little restriction as to the company who will comprise
+this assemblage. The Governor will take sides with the wealthy, be their
+sympathies what they may. Well, if he establish the precedent, I dare
+say, none will be so determined as to oppose him. Do you wish to go,
+daughter?"
+
+"I think I might enjoy it. The French soldiers are so gallant, I might
+find much pleasure there."
+
+"Very well, you shall attend," said her father.
+
+
+III
+
+And so it was decided that Marjorie would be present at the Governor's
+Ball. As custom did not require mothers to accompany their daughters to
+such functions, but allowed them to go unattended, Mrs. Allison
+preferred to remain at home. To what splendor and gayety the affair
+would lend itself was a matter of much speculation. This was the
+Governor's first event, and no one was aware of his prowess on the
+ballroom floor.
+
+Once the list of invitations had become public, it was understood quite
+generally that no distinction was made between those that had, and those
+that had not, attended the Mischienza. Whether the number would be
+surprisingly small, or whether the affair would fail of success without
+the Mischienza ladies, could not be foretold. Indeed such speculations
+were idle, since no discrimination had been made. There were a number of
+young French Officers in the town and one or two of General Washington's
+aides had remained because of the pressure of immediate business after
+the British evacuation. These of course would attend. All the other
+available young men belonged to the families who had held a more or less
+neutral position in the war, and who had not offered their services to
+the patriots nor yielded allegiance to the foe. As these neutrals were
+among the most prominent people of the city, their presence would, of
+course, be altogether desirable.
+
+Marjorie was invited through the efforts of Peggy Shippen, who had
+proposed her name to His Excellency on the occasion of his visit to her
+house. She would be included in their party and would be assigned a
+partner befitting her company. Because of the prominence of the
+Shippens, it was thought that the gallant young French Officers, would
+be assigned to them. Marjorie rejoiced at this although the Shippen
+girls evinced no such sentiment. Whether it was because the French
+alliance was distasteful to them or because their Tory leanings took
+precedence, they preferred other guests for partners. But as the matter
+was to be decided by lot, their likings were not consulted.
+
+Ere long the city was agog with speculation respecting the coming ball.
+The battle of Monmouth was accorded a second place. The disdain of the
+middle class, who had been embittered against such demonstrations by the
+profligacy displayed during the days of the British occupation, soon
+began to make itself felt. That it was the first official or formal
+function of the new republic mattered little. A precedent was about to
+be established. There was to be a continuation of the shameful
+extravagance which they had been compelled to witness during the winter
+and which they feared they would be forced to maintain for another
+protracted period. Living was high, extremely high, and the value of the
+paper currency had depreciated to almost nothing. Indeed it was said
+that a certain barber in the town had papered his entire shop with the
+bills and that a dog had been led up and down the streets, smeared with
+tar, and adorned cap-a-pie with paper money. To feed and clothe the army
+was expense enough without being compelled to pay for the splendors of a
+military ball. Small wonder that the coming event aroused no ordinary
+speculation.
+
+Nevertheless preparations went on with growing vigor and magnificence,
+and not the least interested was Marjorie. The event was now awaited
+with painful anxiety. Even the war for a moment was relegated to a place
+of minor import.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+I
+
+An imposing spectacle greeted Marjorie's eyes as she made her way in
+company with the Shippen girls into the ballroom of the City Tavern. The
+hall was superb, of a charming style of architecture, well furnished and
+lighted, and brilliantly decorated with a profusion of American and
+French flags arranged in festoons and trianguloids and drapings
+throughout its entire length and breadth, its atmosphere vocal with the
+strains of martial music. Everywhere were women dressed with elegance
+and taste. The Tory ladies, gowned in the height of fashion, were to
+Marjorie a revelation at once amazing and impressive.
+
+On a raised dais sat the Governor in his great chair. He was clothed in
+the regulation buff and blue uniform of a Major General of the
+Continental Army. On his shoulders he wore the epaulets and about his
+waist the sword knots General Washington had presented to him the
+preceding May. He bore also upon his person the most eloquent of martial
+trophies, for his leg, wounded at Quebec and Saratoga, rested heavily on
+a small cushion before him.
+
+Marjorie who saw him for the first time, was attracted at once by his
+manly bearing and splendid physique. His frame was large, his shoulders
+broad, his body inclined to be fleshy. His very presence, however, was
+magnetic, still his manner was plain and without affectation. He looked
+the picture of dignity and power as he received the guests in their turn
+and greeted each with a pointed and pleasant remark.
+
+"Isn't he a handsome figure?" whispered Peggy to Marjorie as they made
+their way slowly to the dais.
+
+Marjorie acquiesced in the judgment. He was still young, hardly more
+than thirty-five, his weather-beaten face darkened to bronze from
+exposure. His features were large and clean cut with the power of
+decision written full upon them. A firm and forcible chin, with heavy
+lines playing about his mouth; eyes, large and black, that seemed to
+take toll of everything that transpired about them, suggested a man of
+extravagant energy, of violent and determined tenacity in the face of
+opposition. No one could look upon his imposing figure without calling
+to mind his martial achievements--the exploits of Canada, of the Mohawk,
+of Bemis Heights.
+
+"So this is your little friend," said he to Peggy, eyeing Marjorie as
+she made her presentation courtesy. He was now standing, though resting
+heavily on his cane with his left hand.
+
+"Mistress Allison, this privilege is a happy one. I understand that you
+are a violent little patriot." He smiled as he gently took her hand.
+
+"I am very pleased, Your Excellency. This is an occasion of rare delight
+to me."
+
+"And are you so intensely loyal? Your friends love you for your
+devotion, although I sometimes think that they miss General Howe," and
+he smiled in the direction of Peggy as he turned to her with this
+remark.
+
+"You know, General," Peggy was always ready with an artful reply, "I
+told you that I was neither the one nor the other; and that I wore
+black and white at the Mischienza, the colors now worn by our American
+soldiers in their cockades in token of the French and American
+Alliance."
+
+"So you did. I had almost forgotten."
+
+"And that there were some American gentlemen present, as well, although
+aged non-combatants," she continued with a subtle smile.
+
+"For which reason," he responded, "you would, I suppose, have it assume
+a less exclusive appearance."
+
+"Oh, no! I do not mean that. It was after all a very private affair,
+arranged solely in honor of General Howe."
+
+"Were some of these young ladies at the Mischienza? And who were they
+that rewarded the gallant knights?" he asked.
+
+"Well, the Chew girls, and my sisters, and Miss Franks. There was Miss
+White, and Miss Craig," she repeated the list one after the other as her
+eyes searched the company assembled in the hall. "And that girl in the
+corner, Miss Bond, and beyond her, her sister: then there was Miss
+Smith. Miss Bond I am told is engaged to one of your best Generals, Mr.
+John Robinson."
+
+"We are accustomed to call Mr. Robinson, General Robinson in the army,"
+he ventured with a smile.
+
+She blushed slightly. "We call him Mr. Robinson in society, or sometimes
+Jack."
+
+"And who might have been your gallant knight? May I ask?"
+
+"The Honorable Captain Cathcart," was her proud reply.
+
+"And who has the good fortune to be your knight for this occasion?" he
+questioned, seeking in their hands the billet of the evening.
+
+"We do not know," Marjorie murmured. "We have not as yet met the Master
+of Ceremonies."
+
+He looked about him, in search evidently of some one. "Colonel
+Wilkinson!" he called to a distinguished looking officer on his right,
+"have these fair ladies been assigned to partners?"
+
+The Colonel advanced and presented them with their billets, which were
+numbered and which bore the name of the partner that was to accompany
+them during the entire evening. Peggy opened hers and found the name of
+Colonel Jean Boudinot, a young French Officer. Marjorie saw written upon
+hers a name unknown to her, "Captain Stephen Meagher, aide-de-camp."
+
+"Captain Meagher!" exclaimed the Governor. "He is one of General
+Washington's aides, detailed for the present in the city. Do you know
+him?"
+
+"No," replied Marjorie timidly, "I do not, I am sorry to say. I have
+never had the privilege of meeting him."
+
+"There he is now," said he, indicating with a gesture of the eyes a tall
+young officer who stood with his back toward them.
+
+Marjorie looked in the direction indicated. A becomingly tall and erect
+figure, clad in a long blue coat met her gaze. Further scrutiny
+disclosed the details of a square cut coat, with skirts hooked back
+displaying a buff lining, and with lappets, cuff-linings and standing
+capes of like color. His bearing was overmastering as he stood at
+perfect ease, his hand resting gently on a small sword hanging at his
+side; his right wrist showed a delicate lace ruffle as he gestured to
+and fro in his conversation. As he slightly turned in her direction, she
+saw that he wore his hair drawn back from the face, with a gentle roll
+on each side, well powdered and tied in a cue behind. His features were
+pleasant to look upon, not large but finely chiseled and marked with
+expression. Marjorie thought what a handsome figure he made as he stood
+in earnest conversation, dominating the little group who surrounded him
+and followed his every move with interest and attention.
+
+"Let me call him," suggested the Governor to Marjorie who at that moment
+stood with her eyes fixed on the Captain. "I am sure he will be pleased
+to learn the identity of his fair partner," he added facetiously.
+
+"Oh! do," agreed Peggy. "It would afford pleasure to all of us to meet
+him."
+
+The General whispered a word to an attendant who immediately set off in
+the direction of the unconcerned Captain. As the latter received the
+message he turned, looked in the direction of the dais and gazed
+steadily at the Governor and his company. His eyes met Marjorie's and
+she was sure that he saw her alone. The thought thrilled her through and
+through. He excused himself from the company of his circle, and as he
+directed his footsteps towards her, she noted his neat and close fitting
+buff waistcoat, and his immaculate linen revealing itself at the throat
+and ruffled wrists. Nor did she fail to observe that he wore a buff
+cockade on his left breast and gilt epaulets upon his shoulders.
+
+"Captain Meagher," announced General Arnold. "I have the honor of
+presenting you to your partner for the evening, Mistress Allison."
+
+Marjorie courtesied gracefully to his courtly acknowledgment.
+
+"And the Misses Shippen, the belles of the Mischienza!"
+
+Stephen bowed profoundly.
+
+"I was just remarking, Captain, that General Washington has honored you
+with a special mission, and that you have run away from your duties
+tonight to mingle with the social life of the city."
+
+"Or rather, Your Excellency, to acquaint myself with their society,"
+Stephen replied good-naturedly.
+
+"Then you do not relax, even for an evening," inquired Peggy, with a
+coquettish turn of the head.
+
+"It is the duty of a soldier never to relax." Stephen's reply was more
+naive than usual.
+
+"And yet one's hours are shortened by pleasure and action," continued
+Peggy.
+
+"As a recreation it is far sweeter than as a business. It soon exhausts
+us, however, and it is the greatest incentive to evil."
+
+"But you dance?" interrupted the General.
+
+"Oh, yes! Your Excellency," replied Stephen, "after a fashion."
+
+"Well, your partner is longing for the music. Come, let ye assemble."
+
+And as the dance was announced, the first one being dedicated to "The
+Success of the Campaign," Stephen and Marjorie moved off and took their
+places. Peggy and her sisters were soon attended and followed. They were
+soon lost in the swirl of excitement among the throng.
+
+
+II
+
+"And you live alone with your father and mother?"
+
+Marjorie and her partner were sitting in a distant corner whither they
+had wandered at the conclusion of the dance. Stephen began to find
+himself taking an unusual interest in this girl and was inquiring
+concernedly about her home life.
+
+"Yes, Father's time is much consumed with his attention to the shop.
+Mother and I find plenty to occupy us about the house. Then I relieve
+Father at times, and so divide my hours between them," quietly answered
+Marjorie.
+
+"You have not as yet told me your name," Stephen reminded her.
+
+"Marjorie," was the timid reply.
+
+"Marjorie!" Then, taking advantage of her averted look, he stole secret
+glances at her small round face, her lips, firmly set but curving
+upwards, her rose-pink cheeks. Presently, his eye rested on her
+finger-ring, a cameo with what looked like an ectypal miniature of the
+"Ecce Homo." Was this girl of his faith?
+
+"Marjorie Allison," he repeated again. "Do you know that sounds like a
+Catholic name?"
+
+"It is," Marjorie replied proudly. "Our family have been Catholics for
+generations."
+
+"Mine have, too," Stephen gladly volunteered the information. "Irish
+Catholics with a history behind them."
+
+"Is your home here?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"Here in this country, yes," admitted her escort. "But I live in New
+York and it was there I volunteered at the outbreak of the war, and saw
+my first service in the New York campaign."
+
+"And are your parents there, too?" inquired the girl.
+
+And then he told her that his father and mother and only sister lived
+there and that when the war broke out he determined to enlist in company
+with a number of his friends, the younger men of the neighborhood. How
+he took part in the campaign about New York and his "contribution to our
+defeat," as he styled it. Of the severe winter at Valley Forge and his
+appointment by Washington to his staff. She listened with keen interest
+but remained silent until the end.
+
+"And now you are in the city on detailed duty?"
+
+"Yes. Work of a private nature for the Commander-in-chief."
+
+"It must be a source of satisfaction to be responsive to duty," observed
+Marjorie.
+
+"It is God's medicine to detach us from the things of this world. For,
+after all has been said and done, it is love alone which elevates one's
+service above the domain of abject slavery. In such a manner do the
+commands of heaven afford the richest consolations to the soul."
+
+"And still, a certain routine must manifest itself at times."
+
+"Not when the habit is turned to pleasure."
+
+"You are a philosopher, then?"
+
+"No. Just a mere observer of men and their destinies."
+
+"Have you included the duration of the war in your legitimate
+conclusions?"
+
+"It is not over yet, and it will not terminate, I think, without an
+improvement in the present condition of affairs. The proposed help from
+France must become a reality of no ordinary proportion, else the
+discordant factions will achieve dire results. Tell me," he said,
+suddenly changing the topic of conversation, "were you in attendance at
+the Mischienza?"
+
+"No, I did not care to attend."
+
+"I would I had been present."
+
+"You would have been expelled in your present capacity."
+
+"Ah, yes! But I would have affected a disguise."
+
+"You would expect to obtain important information?" She fingered her
+gown of pink satin as she spoke, oblivious of everything save the
+interest of the conversation.
+
+"I might possibly have stumbled across some items of value."
+
+"None were there save the British Officers and their Tory friends, you
+know."
+
+"A still greater reason for my desire to be present. And why did you not
+dance attendance?" This question was frank.
+
+"Do you really want to know my sole reason?" She looked at him somewhat
+suspicious, somewhat reliant, awaiting her womanly instinct to reveal to
+her the rectitude of her judgment.
+
+"I should not have asked, otherwise," Stephen gravely replied.
+
+"Well, it was for the simple reason that my soul would burn within me if
+I permitted myself to indulge in such extravagance and gayety the while
+our own poor boys were bleeding to death at Valley Forge."
+
+Stephen grasped her hand and pressed it warmly. "You are a true
+patriot," was all he could say.
+
+Whether it was his emotion for the cause of his country or the supreme
+satisfaction afforded him by the knowledge that this girl was loyal to
+the cause, Stephen did not know, nor did he try to discover. He knew
+that he was thrilled with genuine gratification and that he was joyously
+happy over the thought which now relieved his mind. Somehow or other he
+earnestly desired to find this girl an ardent patriot, yet he had dared
+not ask her too bluntly. From the moment she had entered the hall in
+company with the other girls, he had singled her alone in the midst of
+the company. And, when the summons came to him from the Governor, he had
+seen her standing at the side of the dais, and her alone. Little did he
+suspect, however, that she bore his billet, nor did he presume to wish
+for the pleasure of her exclusive company for the evening.
+
+She danced with grace and was wholly without affectation. How sweet she
+looked; pink gown, pink flowers, pink ribbon, pink cheeks! How
+interesting her conversation, yet so reserved and dignified! But she
+lived in the city and the city he knew teemed with Loyalists. Was she
+one of these! He dared not ask her. To have her so declare herself
+enraptured him. She was one of his own after all.
+
+Moreover she was one with him in religious belief--that was a distinct
+comfort. Catholics were not numerous, and to preserve the faith was no
+slight struggle. He was thoroughly conversant with the state of affairs
+in the province of New York where Catholics could not, because of the
+iniquitous law and the prescribed oath of office, become naturalized as
+citizens of the state. He knew how New Jersey had excluded Roman
+Catholics from office, and how North and South Carolina had adopted the
+same iniquitous measure. Pennsylvania was one of the few colonies
+wherein all penal laws directed against the Catholics had been
+absolutely swept away. To meet with a member of his own persecuted
+Church, especially one so engaging and so interesting as Marjorie, was a
+source of keen joy and an unlooked-for happiness.
+
+"You will not deny me the pleasure of paying my respects to your father
+and mother?" Stephen asked.
+
+She murmured something as he let go her hand. Stephen thought she had
+said, "I had hoped that you would come."
+
+"Tomorrow?" he ventured.
+
+"I shall be pleased to have you sup with us," she smiled as she made the
+soft reply.
+
+"Tomorrow then it shall be."
+
+They rose to take their part in the next dance.
+
+
+III
+
+As the evening wore on Peggy, wearied of the dance, sought a secluded
+corner of the great room to compose herself. She had been disappointed
+in her lottery, for she detested the thought of being a favor for a
+French officer and had taken care to so express herself at home long
+before. She could not rejoice at Marjorie's good fortune as she thought
+it, and found little of interest and less of pleasure in the evening's
+doings.
+
+She was aroused from her solitude and made radiant on the instant at
+sight of the Military Governor, limping his way across the hall in her
+direction. He had seen her seated alone, and his heart urged him to her
+side. With the lowest bow of which he was then capable, he sought the
+pleasure of her company. Her color heightened, she smiled graciously
+with her gray-blue eyes, and accepted his hand. He led the way to the
+banquet room and thence to the balcony, where they might hear the music
+and view the dancing, for his lameness made dancing impossible.
+
+"I hesitate to condemn a young lady to a prison seat, when the stately
+minuet sends a summons," he said as he led her to a chair a little to
+one side of the balcony.
+
+"You should have thought of that before you made us cast lots," she
+replied quickly. "I was wearying of the rounds of pleasure."
+
+"Is the company, then, all too gay?"
+
+"No, rather extravagant."
+
+"You insisted on the Mischienza ladies being present."
+
+"And can you not distinguish them? Do they not appear to better
+advantage than the others? Their gowns are superior, they give evidence
+of more usage in society, their head-dress is higher and of the latest
+fashion."
+
+"And their hearts, their hopes, their sympathies! Where are they?"
+
+"You know where mine lay," she adroitly replied.
+
+"True, you did wear a French cockade," he laughed.
+
+"Please do not call it 'French.' I scorn all things 'French.'"
+
+"They are our allies now, you must know."
+
+"For which I am most sorry. I expect no mercy from that scheming Papist
+country," she replied bitterly.
+
+"But they have lent us much money at a time when our paper currency is
+practically worthless, and the assistance of their fleet is now
+momentarily expected," the General went on to explain.
+
+"And to what purpose? Lord North has proposed to meet our demands most
+liberally and with our constitutional liberties secured, I fail to see
+why further strife is necessary."
+
+"But our independence is not yet secure."
+
+"It was secure after your brilliant victory at Saratoga. With the
+collapse of Burgoyne, England saw that further campaigning in a country
+so far removed from home was disastrous. It only remained to formulate
+some mutual agreement. We have triumphed. Why not be magnanimous? Why
+subject the country to a terrible strain for years for a result neither
+adequate nor secure?"
+
+She talked rapidly, passionately. It was evident from the manner of her
+address that the subject was no new one to her.
+
+"You can be court-martialed for treason?" he remarked with a slight
+smile playing about the heavy lines of his mouth.
+
+"Is it treason to talk of the welfare of the country? I look upon the
+alliance with this Catholic and despotic power as more of an act of
+treason than the total surrender of our armies to King George. To lose
+our independence is one thing; but to subject our fair land to the
+tyranny of the Pope and his emissary, the King of France, is a total
+collapse. Our hopes lie in England alone."
+
+The Governor was struck by this strange reasoning. Why had this mere
+child dared to express the very thoughts which were of late intruding
+themselves upon his mind, but which he dared not permit to cross the
+seal of his lips? She was correct, he thought, in her reasoning, but
+bold in her denunciation. No one else had dared to address such
+sentiments to him. And now he was confronted with a young lady of quick
+wit and ready repartee who spoke passionately the identical reflections
+of his more mature mind. Clearly her reasoning was not without some
+consistency and method.
+
+"I am afraid that you are a little Tory." He could not allow this girl
+to think that she had impressed him in the least.
+
+"Because I am frank in the expression of my views?" She turned and with
+arched eyebrows surveyed him. "Pardon me, if you will, but I would have
+taken no such liberty with any other person. You gave me that privilege
+when you forbade my alluding to your former brilliant exploits."
+
+"But I did not want you to become a Tory."
+
+He spoke with emphasis.
+
+"I am not a Tory I tell you."
+
+"But you are not a Whig?"
+
+"What, an ordinary shop maid!"
+
+"They are true patriots."
+
+"But of no social standing."
+
+"Tell me why all the Mischienza ladies courtesied to me after so courtly
+a fashion," he asked.
+
+"They like it. It is part of their life. You must know that nothing
+pleases a woman of fashion more than to bow and courtesy before every
+person of royalty, and to count those who precede her out of a room."
+
+"Surely, Margaret, you are no such menial?" He compressed his lips as he
+glanced at her sharply. He had never before called her by her first name
+nor presumed to take this liberty. It was more a slip of the tongue than
+an act of deliberate choice, yet he would not have recalled the word.
+His concern lay in her manner of action.
+
+"And why not a menial?" Evidently she took no notice of his
+presumption, or at least pretended not to do so. "Piety is by no means
+the only motive which brings women to church. Position in life is
+precisely what one makes it."
+
+"Does social prestige appeal to you then?"
+
+"I love it." She did not talk to him directly for her attention was
+being centered upon the activities on the floor. "I think that a woman
+who can dress with taste and distinction possesses riches above all
+computation. See Mrs. Reed, there. How I envy her!"
+
+"The wife of the President of the Council?" he asked apprehensively,
+bending forward in the direction of the floor.
+
+"The same. She enjoys a position of social eminence. How I hate her for
+it." She tapped the floor with her foot as she spoke.
+
+"You mean that you dislike her less than you envy her position?"
+
+Just then her young squire came up and she gave him her hand for a
+minuet, excusing herself to the Governor as graciously as possible.
+
+Scarcely had she disappeared when he began to muse. What a fitting
+companion she would make for a man of his rank and dignity! That she was
+socially ambitious and obsessed with a passion for display he well knew.
+She was not yet twenty but the disparity in their ages,--he was about
+thirty-seven and a widower with three sons,--would be offset by the
+disparity of their stations. No one in the city kept a finer stable of
+horses nor gave more costly dinners than he. Everybody treated him with
+deference, for no one presumed to question his social preeminence. The
+Whigs admired him as their dashing and perhaps their most successful
+General. The Tories liked him because of his aristocratic display and
+his position in regard to the Declaration of Independence. Why not make
+her his bride?
+
+She possessed physical charms and graces in a singular degree. She
+dressed with taste; her wardrobe was of the finest. Aristocratic in her
+bearing, she would be well fitted to assume the position of the first
+lady of the town. Peggy, moreover, possessed a will of her own. This was
+revealed to him more than once during their few meetings, and if proof
+had been wanting, the lack was now abundantly supplied. She would make
+an ideal wife, and he resolved to enter the lists against all suitors.
+
+Her mind was more mature than her years, he thought. This he gleaned
+from her animated discussion of the alliance. And there was, after all,
+more than an ounce of wisdom in her point of view. Mischief brewed in
+the proposed help from a despotic power. His own signal victory ended
+the war if only the Colonists would enter into negotiations or give an
+attentive ear to the liberal proposals of Lord North. The people did not
+desire complete independence and he, for one, had never fully endorsed
+the Declaration. Her point of view was right. Better to accept the
+overtures of our kinsmen than to cast our lot with that Catholic and
+despotic power.
+
+His musings were arrested by the arrival of an aide, who announced that
+he was needed at headquarters. He arose at once to obey.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+I
+
+Stephen awoke late the next morning. As he lay with eyes closed, half
+asleep, half awake, the image of his partner of the evening sweetly
+drifted into his dreamy brain, and called up a wealth of associations on
+which he continued to dwell with rare pleasure. But the ominous
+suggestion that her heart could not possibly be free, that perhaps some
+gay officer, or brilliant member of Howe's staff, or a gallant French
+official, many of whom had now infested the town, was a favored
+contestant in the field, filled his mind with the thoughts of dread
+possibilities, and chased away the golden vision that was taking shape.
+He sat upright and, pulling aside the curtains of the little window that
+flanked his bed, he peered into the garden behind the house. The birds
+were singing, but not with the volume or rapture which is their wont in
+the early morning. The sun was high in the heavens and flung its
+reflecting rays from the trees and foliage; whence he concluded that the
+morning was already far advanced and that it was well past the hour for
+him to be astir.
+
+And what a day it was! One of those rare July days when the tints of the
+earth and the hues of the sky though varied in color, seem to blend in
+one beautiful and harmonious whole. The cypress and the myrtle, emblems
+of deeds of virtue and renown, had already donned their summer dress.
+The many flowers bowed gently under the weight of the flitful butterfly,
+or the industrious bee, or tossed to and fro lightly in the arms of the
+morning breeze. Overhead maples, resplendent in their fabric of soft and
+delicate green, arched themselves like fine-spun cobwebs, through which
+filigree the sun projected his rays at irregular and frequent intervals,
+lending only an occasional patch of sunlight here and there to the more
+exposed portions of the garden.
+
+But nature had no power to drive Marjorie's image from his mind. Try as
+he would, he could not distract his attention to the many problems which
+ordinarily would have engaged thoughts. What mattered it to him that the
+French fleet was momentarily expected, or that the Continental Congress
+was again meeting in the city, or that he had met with certain
+suspicious looking individuals during the course of the day! There was
+yet one who looked peculiarly suspicious and who was enveloped, as far
+as his knowledge was concerned, in a veil of mystery of the strangest
+depth. She, indeed, was a flower too fair to blush unseen or unattached.
+His own unworthiness confounded him.
+
+Nevertheless he was determined to call on her that very day, in response
+to her generous invitation of last night, and in accordance too with the
+custom of the time. He would there, perchance, learn more of her, of her
+home, of her life, of her friends. But would he excite in her the
+interest she was exciting in him? The thought of his possible remoteness
+from her, pained him and made his heart sink. The noblest characters
+experience strange sensations of desolation and wretchedness at the
+thought of disapproval and rejection. Esteem, the testimony of our
+neighbor's appreciation, the approval of those worth while, these are
+the things for which we yearn with fondest hopes. To know that we have
+done well is satisfaction, but to know that our efforts and our work are
+valued by others is one of the noblest of pleasures. Stephen longed to
+know how he stood in the lady's esteem, and so her little world was his
+universe.
+
+Dispatching the day's business as best he could, the expectant knight
+set out to storm the castle of his lady. Eager as he was, he did not
+fail to note the imposing majesty of the great trees which lined each
+side of the wide road and arched themselves into a perfect canopy
+overhead. An air of abundance pervaded the whole scene and made him
+quite oblivious of the extreme warmth of the afternoon.
+
+Ere long the little white house of her describing rose before him. He
+had seen it many times in other days, but now it was invested with a new
+and absorbing interest. There it stood, plain yet stately, with a great
+pointed and shingled roof, its front and side walls unbroken save for a
+gentle projection supported by two uniform Doric pillars which served as
+a sort of a portal before the main entrance. Numerous windows with small
+panes of glass, and with trim green shutters thrown full open revealing
+neatly arranged curtains, glinted and glistened in the beams of the
+afternoon sun. The nearer of the two great chimneys which ran up the
+sides, like two great buttresses of an old English abbey, gave
+indications of generous and well-fed fireplaces recessed in the walls of
+the inner rooms. The lawns and walks were uncommonly well kept, and the
+whole atmosphere of the little home was one of comfort and simplicity
+and neatness, suggesting the sweet and serene happiness reigning within.
+
+Stephen closed the gate behind him. A moment later he had seized the
+brass knocker and delivered three moderate blows.
+
+
+II
+
+"Captain Meagher!" gasped a soft voice. "I am so pleased you have come."
+
+"Mistress Allison, the pleasure is indeed mine, I assure you," replied
+Stephen as he grasped her hand, releasing it with a gentle pressure.
+
+She led the way into the narrow hall.
+
+"Mother!" she addressed a sweetly smiling middle-aged woman who now
+stood at her side, "I have the honor of presenting to you, Captain
+Meagher, of the staff of General Washington, my partner of last
+evening." And she betrayed a sense of pride in that bit of history.
+
+Stephen took the matron's hand, for among the Americans the custom
+prevailed of shaking hands, albeit the French visitors of the time
+maintained that it was a "comic custom." Stephen thought it democratic,
+and in keeping with the spirit of the country.
+
+The parlor opened immediately to the right and thither Stephen was
+conducted without further ceremony. Mr. Allison would be in shortly; he
+was as yet busied with the trade at the shop. The old clock at the
+corner of the room, with its quaint figure of Time adorning the top, and
+its slowly moving pendulum, proclaimed the hour of five, the hour when
+the duties of the day came to a close and social life began. The old
+fireplace, black in this season of desuetude, but brilliant in its huge
+brass andirons like two pilasters of gold, caught the eye at the extreme
+end of the room, while in the corner near the window a round mahogany
+tea-table, stood upright like an expanded fan or palm leaf.
+
+Stephen seated himself in a great chair that lay to one side of the
+room.
+
+"I had the good fortune of being your daughter's partner for the
+evening, and I am happy to be enabled to pay my respects to you."
+Stephen addressed Mrs. Allison who was nearer to him on his left.
+
+"Marjorie told me, Captain, of your extreme kindness to her. We
+appreciate it very much. Did she conduct herself becomingly? She is a
+stranger to such brilliant affairs."
+
+"Splendidly!" answered Stephen. "And she danced charmingly," and he
+slyly looked at her as he spoke and thought he detected a faint blush.
+
+"I did not attend on account of its extravagance," remarked Mrs.
+Allison. "I had duties at home, and Marjorie was well attended."
+
+"Indeed!" pronounced Marjorie.
+
+"It was magnificent, to be sure," went on Stephen, "but it will excite
+no uncertain comment. Republican simplicity last night was lost from
+sight."
+
+"Which I scarce approve of," declared Marjorie.
+
+"You did not suit your action to your thought," smiled her mother.
+
+"True," replied the girl, "yet I told you that I was anxious to attend
+simply to behold the novelty of it all. Now that it is over, I
+disapprove of the splendor and extravagance especially in these times of
+need."
+
+"Yes," volunteered Stephen, "she did voice similar sentiments to me last
+evening. Nevertheless she is not alone in her criticism. The _Gazette_
+today publishes a leading article excoriating the Military Governor for
+his use of the teams, which he had commanded under pretense of
+revictualing of the army, for the transportation of his private effects
+to and from the City Tavern. It spells dissatisfaction at best."
+
+"There has been dissatisfaction from the first day on which he took up
+residence at the Slate Roof House," said Mrs. Allison.
+
+The figure of Mr. Allison appeared in the room to the rear. Stephen made
+haste to stand to greet him, expressing his extreme pleasure.
+
+It was a great day for a tradesman when an officer of the Continental
+Army supped at his table. The house was in a mild uproar since Marjorie
+announced the coming distinction on her return from the ball. From the
+kitchen chimney went up a pillar of smoke. Mrs. Allison and two of her
+neighbors who were proud to lend assistance on such an important
+occasion could be seen passing in and out continually. A large roast lay
+simmering and burnished in the pan diffusing savory and provoking fumes
+throughout the house. And it was with distinct pride that Mrs. Allison
+announced to the company that they might take their places about the
+festive board.
+
+The discourse bore on various matters, prominence being given to
+politics and the affairs of the army. Mr. Allison took care to ask no
+question that might give rise to embarrassment on the part of Stephen.
+The complaints of the tradesmen, the charges of the Whigs, the
+murmurings of the Tories and the annoying articles in the morning
+_Gazette_, all, were touched upon in the course of the meal. Stephen
+volunteered the information that Conway and Gates were in hiding and
+that Clinton was driven to New York where Washington was watching his
+every move, like a hawk, from the heights of Morristown.
+
+"General Washington holds General Arnold in the highest esteem,"
+remarked Mr. Allison.
+
+"As the bravest general in the Continental Army," quietly replied
+Stephen.
+
+"He would make a poor statesman," went on the host.
+
+"He is a soldier first and last."
+
+"Should a soldier be wanting in tact and diplomacy?"
+
+"A good soldier should possess both."
+
+"Then General Arnold is not a good soldier," declared Mr. Allison.
+
+"A criticism he hardly deserves," was the simple reply.
+
+"You saw the _Gazette_?"
+
+"Yes. I read that article to which you undoubtedly refer."
+
+"And you agree with it?"
+
+"No. I do not."
+
+"I am sorry about it all. Yet I am inclined to hold the Governor
+responsible to a great extent. He would be an aristocrat, and it is the
+society of such that he covets."
+
+"Perhaps jealousy might inspire criticism. Envy, you know, is the
+antagonist of the fortunate."
+
+"But it is not his deeds alone that cause the unrest among our citizens.
+It is not what he does but what he says. It helps matters not in the
+least to express dissatisfaction with the manner of conducting the war,
+neither by criticizing the enactments of the Congress, nor vehemently
+opposing the new foreign alliance. This does not sound well from the
+lips of one of our foremost leaders and we do not like it."
+
+"I was not aware that he voiced any opposition to the furtherance of the
+alliance with France," declared Stephen.
+
+"He might not have spoken in formal protest, but he has spoken in an
+informal manner times without number," replied Mr. Allison.
+
+"I am sorry to hear that. I did not expect such from General Arnold,"
+muttered Stephen.
+
+Marjorie had as yet taken no part in the conversation. She was
+interested and alive, however, to every word, anxious, if possible, to
+learn Stephen's attitude in respect to the common talk. She took delight
+in his defense of his General, notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence
+against him and was proud of the trait of loyalty her guest disclosed in
+the face of her father's opposition.
+
+Mrs. Allison and Marjorie participated in the conversation when the
+topics bore, for the most part, on current events, uninteresting to Mr.
+Allison, who munched in silence until some incomplete sentence called
+for a remark or two from him by way of a conclusion. Stephen's animated
+interest in the more common topics of the day led Mrs. Allison and
+Marjorie to the conclusion that he was a more practical and a more
+versatile man than the head of their own house.
+
+All in all he made a profound impression on the family, and when the
+repast was finished and the table had been cleared, they sat over the
+fruit and the nuts, before retiring to the living room for the evening.
+
+
+III
+
+"You are not in the habit of frequenting brilliant functions?" Stephen
+asked of Marjorie when they were quite alone. It was customary for the
+older folks to retire from the company of the younger set shortly after
+the dinner grace had been said. Of course grace had to be said; Mr.
+Allison would permit no bread to be broken at his house without first
+imploring benedictions from Heaven, and, when the formalities of the
+meal had been concluded, of returning thanks for the good things
+enjoyed.
+
+"I never have attended before," answered Marjorie, smoothing out a side
+of her apron with her hand.
+
+"You are quite friendly with the Shippen family, I understand."
+
+"Oh, yes! For several years we have been united. I am invited to all
+their functions. Still I am not fond of society."
+
+"And you spend your time alone?" Stephen was persistent in his questions
+as he sat opposite to her and studied her expression.
+
+"Between here and the store, and perhaps with Peggy. That is about all
+for I seldom visit. I am hopelessly old-fashioned in some things, mother
+tells me, and I suppose you will say the same if I tell you more," and
+she looked at him slyly, with her head half-raised, her lips parted
+somewhat in a quizzical smile.
+
+"Not at all! You are what I rather hoped to find you, although I did not
+dare to give expression to it. You can, possibly, be of some assistance
+to me."
+
+"Gladly would I perform any service, however humble, for the cause of
+our country," Marjorie sat upright, all attention at the thought.
+
+"You remember I told you that I was detailed in the city on special
+work," Stephen went on.
+
+"I do."
+
+"Well, it is a special work but it also is a very indefinite work. There
+is a movement afoot, but of its nature, and purpose, I at this moment am
+entirely ignorant. I am here to discover clews."
+
+"And have you no material to work on except that? It is very vague, to
+say the least."
+
+"That and suspicion. Howe found the city a nest of Tories; but he also
+found it swarmed with patriots, whose enthusiasm, and vigor, and
+patience, and determination must have impressed him profoundly, and
+portended disaster for the British cause. With the morale of the people
+so high, and renewed hope and confidence swelling their bosoms, a
+complete military victory must have appeared hopeless to the British
+General. What was left? Dissension, or rebellion, or treason, or
+anything that will play havoc with the united determination of the
+Colonists."
+
+She breathed heavily as she rested her chin on her hand absorbed in the
+vision that he was calling up.
+
+"Arnold's victory at Saratoga has convinced Britain that the war over
+here cannot be won," he continued. "Already has Lord North thrown a bomb
+into the ranks of the proud Tories by his liberal proposals. Of course
+they will be entirely rejected by us and the war will continue until
+complete independence is acknowledged. True, we had no such idea in mind
+when we entered this conflict, but now we are convinced that victory is
+on our side and that a free and independent form of government is the
+most suitable for us. We have enunciated certain principles which are
+possible of realization only under a democratic form of government,
+where the people rule and where the rulers are responsible to the
+people. Such a system is possible only in a great republic, and that is
+what England must now recognize. Otherwise the war must go on."
+
+"Have our aims taken such definite form. I know----"
+
+"No! They have not," interrupted Stephen, "they have not and that is
+where trouble is to be expected. Such is the state of mind, however, of
+many of the more experienced leaders, but their opinion will lose
+weight. It is because all are not united in this, that there is room for
+treason under the motive of misguided patriotism. And it is to scent
+every possible form of that disloyalty that I have been sent here; sent
+to the very place where the Tories most abound and where such a plot is
+most liable to take root."
+
+"And you expect me to be of assistance to you?" asked Marjorie, proud of
+the confidence which she so readily gained.
+
+"I expect much. But perhaps nothing will eventuate. I can rely on you,
+however. For the present, naught is to be done. When the time comes, I
+shall tell you."
+
+"But what can I do? I am but a mere girl."
+
+"Did I think you to be ordinary, I might not have asked you," quickly
+exchanged Stephen.
+
+Marjorie dropped her head and began studying the stitches in her gown.
+But only for a second, for she as quickly raised her head and asked:
+
+"Wherein, then, can I be of service to you?"
+
+"Listen!" He brought his chair to a point nearly opposite hers. She was
+seated on the settee, yet he made no attempt to share it with her.
+
+"You are friendly with the Shippen family," he went on. "Now, do not
+misinterpret me. I shall require no betrayal of confidence. But it is
+generally known that the Shippens are Tories, not avowedly so, yet in
+heart and in thought. It is also generally known that their house was
+the center of society during the days of the British occupation, at
+which all manner of men assembled. The walls of that house, could they
+but speak, would be able to relate many momentous conversations held
+over the teacups, or in quiet corners. The family themselves must know
+many things which might be invaluable to us."
+
+"And you want me to learn that for you?" inquired Marjorie in alarm as
+the horrible thought forced itself upon her.
+
+"I want you to do nothing of the kind," quickly answered Stephen. "Far
+be it from me to require you to barter your benevolence. I should
+deplore any such method as most dishonorable and unworthy of the noble
+cause in which we are engaged. No! I ask this, simply, that through you
+I might be permitted the honor of visiting the home of Miss Shippen and
+that by being acquainted with the family I might acquire a general
+entree to the Tory social circle. In this way I might effect my purpose
+and perchance stumble across information of vital importance. Thus can
+you be of great assistance to me."
+
+"I shall be delighted to do this, and I shall tell you more--perhaps you
+may ask me to do something more noble--sometime----" She hesitated to
+express the wish which was father to her thought.
+
+"Sometime I expect you to be of real service to me and to our
+country--sometime----"
+
+Marjorie did not answer. She knew what she would like to say, but dared
+not. Why should he unfold his mission to her at this, almost their first
+meeting? And why should he expect her to be of such assistance to him,
+to him, first, and then to the country? And then, why should she feel so
+responsive, so ready to spend herself, her energy, her whole being at
+the mere suggestion of this young man, whom until last evening, she had
+never thought to exist. She felt that she was as wax in the hands of
+this soldier; she knew it and enjoyed it and only awaited the moment
+when his seal would come down upon her and stamp her more to his liking.
+She was slightly younger than he, and happily his contrary in nearly all
+respects. He was fair, she was dark; his eyes were blue, hers brown; he
+was lusty and showed promise of broadness, she was slender.
+
+Twice she opened her mouth as if to speak to him, and each time she
+dropped again her head in reflective silence. She did not talk to this
+young man as she might to any number of her more intimate acquaintances.
+Even the very silence was magnetic. Further utterance would dispel the
+charm. That she would enlist in his service she knew as well as she knew
+her own existence, but that he should arouse so keen an interest in her,
+so buoyant an attitude, so secure an assurance, amazed her and filled
+her with awe. She had never before experienced quite the same sensation
+that now dismayed her nor had any one ever brought home to her her worth
+as did this young soldier. Yes she would help him, but in what way?
+
+And so they sat and considered and talked. They soon forgot to talk
+about His Excellency, or the Army, or the Shippens. Neither did they
+resolve the doubts that might have been entertained concerning the
+manner of men who frequented the home of Peggy and her sisters; nor the
+Alliance which had just been established, nor the vital signification of
+the event. They just talked over a field of affairs none of which bore
+any special relation to any one save their own selves. At length the old
+clock felt constrained to speak up and frown at them for their unusual
+delay and their profligate waste of tallow and dips.
+
+Stephen rose at once. Marjorie saw him to the door, where she gave him
+her hand in parting.
+
+"We have indeed been honored this day, Captain, and I trust that the
+near future will see a return of the same. I am entirely at your
+service," whispered Marjorie, wondering why the words did not come to
+her more readily.
+
+"On the contrary, Miss Allison, it is I who have been privileged. My
+humble respects to your parents. Adieu!"
+
+He bowed gracefully, wheeled, and went out the door.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+I
+
+The Corner of Market and Front Streets was brisk with life and activity
+at twelve, the change hour, every day. Here assembled the merchants of
+the city, members of the upper class who cared enough about the rest of
+the world to make an inquiry into its progress; men of leisure about
+town whose vocation in life was to do nothing and who had the entire day
+in which to do it. All conditions, all varieties of character joined the
+ranks. Soldiers, restless from the monotony of army life and desirous of
+the license usually associated with leave of absence; civilians eager in
+the pursuit of truth or of scandal; patriots impatient with the yoke of
+foreign rule; Tories exasperated with the turn of the war and its
+accompanying privations;--all gathered together at the Old London Coffee
+House day after day.
+
+It stood, an imposing three-storied, square structure, with a great wing
+extending far in the rear. Its huge roof, fashioned for all the world
+after a truncated pyramid with immense gables projecting from its sides,
+gave every indication of having sheltered many a guest from the snows
+and rains of winter. A great chimney ran up the side and continually
+belched forth smoke and sparks, volumes of them, during the days and
+nights of the cold winter season. A portico of no particular style of
+architecture ran around two sides of the ancient building and afforded
+a meeting place for the majority of the guests. It was furnished with
+many chairs, faithfully tenanted when the season was propitious.
+
+Thither Stephen and Mr. Allison were directing their steps more than a
+week after they had last met at the home of the latter. It was by the
+merest chance they encountered. Stephen was seeking a healthful reaction
+from a vigorous walk through the less-frequented part of the city; Mr.
+Allison was making his daily visit to the Coffee House. Stephen had
+often heard of the tavern, but had never been there. Still he was
+resolved to seek an introduction to its clientele at the first
+propitious moment. That moment had now come.
+
+Upon entering, their attention was at once arrested by the animated
+discussion in progress at a table in the nearest corner of the room. An
+officer of the Governor's Guard, in full regimentals, booted and
+spurred, in company with a gentleman, finely dressed, was talking loudly
+to Jim Cadwalader, who was seated before them holding a half-opened
+newspaper in his hand. It was plain to be seen that the soldier was
+somewhat under the influence of liquor, yet one could not call him
+intoxicated.
+
+"Gi' me that an' I'll show y'," exclaimed the soldier as he grabbed the
+paper from Cadwalader's hand.
+
+"Y' were told," he went on to read from it, "that it was t' avoid the
+'stabl'shment 'r count'nancin'," he half mumbled the words, "of Pop'ry;
+an that Pop'ry was 'stabl'shed in Canada (where 't was only tol'rated).
+And is not Pop'ry now as much 'stabl'shed by law in your state 's any
+other rel'gion?" "Just what I was sayin'," he interpolated. "So that
+your Gov'nor and all your rulers may be Papists, and you may have a
+Mass-House in ev'ry corner o' your country (as some places already
+'xper'ence)."
+
+"There!" he snarled as he threw back the paper. "Isn't that what I wuz
+tryin' t' tell y'."
+
+"You can't tell me nothin', Forrest," retorted Jim.
+
+"Course I can't. Nobody kin. Y' know 't all."
+
+"I can mind my own bus'ness."
+
+"There y' are agin," shouted Forrest, "y' know 't all, ye do."
+
+"Don't say that again," Jim flared back at him. "I'll--I'll--I'll----.
+Don't say it again, that's all."
+
+"'Cause y' know 'ts true."
+
+"It's a lie," Jim interrupted him. "Ye know it's a lie. But I don't
+'spect much of ye, 'r of the Gov'nor either. None of ye 'll ever be
+Papists."
+
+"Now you're talkin' sens'ble; first sens'ble thing you've said t'day. No
+Papists here if we kin help it."
+
+Stephen and Mr. Allison, keenly interested in this remark, moved nearer
+to the table. Cadwalader was well known to Mr. Allison. The others were
+total strangers.
+
+"What's he goin' t' do about the help from France? Refuse it 'cause it's
+from a Catholic country?" asked Jim.
+
+"He don't like it and never did."
+
+"Is he fool 'nough t' think we can win this war without help?"
+
+"He won it once."
+
+"When?"
+
+"Saratoga."
+
+"That's his story. We didn't have it won and it won't be won without
+troops and with somethin' besides shin-plasters." He turned sideways,
+crossed one leg over the other and began to drum upon the table.
+
+"We must hev help," he went on. "We must hev it and it must come from
+France 'r Spain."
+
+"They y' are agin," repeated Forrest, "as if one wuzn't as much under
+th' Pope as th' other."
+
+"Forrest!" he turned toward him and shook his finger at him in a
+menacing sort of way. "Don't say that agin. Mind what I tell ye. Don't
+say it again--that's all. When I'm mad, I'm not myself."
+
+"Is that so? I s'pose I'm wrong agin, an' you're right. Tell me this.
+What did yer fool leg'slature in Vi'ginya do th' other day?"
+
+"I don't know," murmured Jim. "What did they do?"
+
+"There y' are agin. I thought y' knew it all. Think y' know ev'rythin'
+an' y' know nothin'. Passed a resolution fur a Papist priest, didn't
+they?"
+
+"And why?" pronounced Jim, flushed with anger, his lower lip quivering
+with emotion. "'Cause he did more fur his country, than you or I'll ever
+do. Father Gibault! And if it wazn't fur him, Colonel Clark'd never hev
+op'nd th' Northwest."
+
+"That's just what I say. The Papists'll soon own the whole damn
+country."
+
+Stephen and Mr. Allison moved as if to join the discussion, which had at
+this juncture become loud enough to lose the character of intimacy. Jim
+was well known to the guests of the house. The man who was known as
+Forrest, was, it was plain from his uniform, a Colonel in the army. The
+other man was a stranger. Much younger than his companion, tall, manly,
+clad in a suit of black, with his hair in full dress, well-powdered and
+gathered behind in a large silken bag, he gave every appearance of
+culture and refinement. He wore a black cocked hat, whose edges were
+adorned with a black feather about an inch in depth, his knees as well
+as his shoes adorned with silver buckles.
+
+"If they did own th' country," was Jim's grave reply, "we'd hev a
+healthier place to live in than we now hev."
+
+"An' whose doin' it?" shouted Forrest. "The Papists."
+
+"Thou liest!" interrupted Mr. Allison, intruding himself into their
+midst, "a confounded lie. Remember, the Catholics have given their all
+to this war--their goods, their money, their sons."
+
+"Heigh-ho! who're you?" asked the soldier. "What d' you know 'bout the
+army? Hardly 'nough 'f them to go aroun'."
+
+"A malicious untruth. Why, half the rebel army itself is reported to
+have come from Ireland."
+
+"How do you know?"
+
+"From the testimony of General Robertson in the House of Lords. And if
+these soldiers are Irishmen, you can wager they're Catholics. And why
+should we pass laws 'gainst these crowds of Irish Papists and convicts
+who are yearly poured upon us, unless they were Catholic convicts
+fleeing from the laws of persecution?"
+
+"What ails ye, Forrest," rejoined Jim, "can't be cured."
+
+"Take care 'f yourself," angrily retorted the Colonel, "an' I'll take
+care o' myself."
+
+"If ye did, and yer likes did the same, we'd git along better and the
+war'd be over. I s'pose ye know that yer friend Jay lost Canada to us."
+
+"What if he did. Wazn't he right?"
+
+And then he explained to him.
+
+
+II
+
+Canada had been surrendered to England by France in a clause of the
+Treaty of Paris in 1763, with a stipulation, however, that the people of
+the territory in question would be permitted the free use of the French
+language, the prescriptions of the French code of laws, and the practice
+of the Catholic religion.
+
+South of this region and west of the English colonies between the Ohio
+and the Mississippi rivers, stretched a vast expanse of territory known
+as the Northwest Territory, where dwelt a large population without laws,
+with no organized form of government save the mere caprices of petty
+military tyrants, placed over them by the various seaboard colonies who
+severally laid claim to the district. At the request of the people of
+Canada it was voted by the English Parliament to reannex the territory
+northwest of the Ohio to Canada and to permit the settlers to share in
+the rights and privileges of the Canadian province. This was effected by
+the Quebec Act in 1774.
+
+It was truly a remarkable concession. The inhabitants of this vast
+stretch of territory were freed for all time from the tyranny of
+military despots, their lands and churches secured to them and their
+priests given a legal title to their tithes. It was the freest exercise
+of the Catholic religion under the laws of the English Government.
+
+But what a storm of abuse and protestation was raised by the fanatical
+portion of the Protestant population! The newspapers of the day abounded
+with articles, with songs and squibs against the King and His
+Parliament. The mother country witnessed no less virulent a campaign
+than the colonies themselves. "We may live to see our churches," writes
+one writer to the _Pennsylvania Packet_, "converted into mass-houses,
+and our lands plundered of tithes for the support of a Popish clergy.
+The Inquisition may erect her standard in Pennsylvania and the city of
+Philadelphia may yet experience the carnage of St. Bartholomew's day."
+Processions were formed about the country and in some places the bust of
+George III, adorned with miter, beads and a pectoral cross, was carried
+in triumphal march.
+
+The forms of protest found their way ultimately into the halls of the
+First American Congress which convened in Philadelphia in 1774. The
+recent legislation was enumerated among the wrongs done the colonies by
+the mother country. Feeling became so bitter that an address was issued
+by the Congress on the fifth of September, 1774, "to the people of Great
+Britain" saying: "We think the Legislature of Great Britain is not
+authorized by the Constitution to establish a religion, fraught with
+sanguinary and impious tenets, or to erect an arbitrary form of
+government in any quarter of the globe." "By another act the Dominion of
+Canada is to be extended, modeled and governed, as that being disunited
+from us, detached from our interests by civil as well as religious
+prejudices, that by their numbers daily swelling with Catholic emigrants
+from Europe, and by their devotion to administration so friendly to
+their religion, they might become formidable to us, and on occasion be
+fit instruments in the hands of power to reduce the ancient free
+Protestant colonies to the same state of slavery with themselves."
+Little did they think that the breach they were attempting to heal was
+widened by their procedure. The author of the address was John Jay, a
+lawyer from New York, with whom Papaphobia was a mania.
+
+Nor did the failure of this method of diplomacy become apparent until
+several years later. The measure of appreciation and the expression of
+sentiment of the Canadian people in regard to this ill-timed and
+unchristian address, conceived in a fit of passion and by no means
+representative of the sentiments of the saner portion of the population,
+took expression at a more critical time. When, in 1776, the members of
+the same Congress, viewing with alarm the magnitude of the struggle upon
+which they had entered and to whose success they had pledged their
+honor, their fortunes and their lives, sought to enlist the resources of
+their neighbors in Canada, they met with a sudden and calamitous
+disappointment. To effect an alliance with the border brethren, three
+commissioners were appointed--Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase, and
+Charles Carroll of Carrollton. Father John Carroll, a Jesuit priest, was
+invited by the Congress to accompany the party.
+
+Arriving in Canada, it soon became evident to the committee, that their
+mission was to be unproductive of results. The government did not take
+kindly to them, nor would the Bishop of Quebec and his clergy trust the
+vague expressions of the United Colonies, whose statute books, they
+pointed out, still bore the most bitter and unchristian sentiments
+against all priests and adherents of the ancient church. Bigotry had
+apparently defeated their purpose. How it had done this was still quite
+obscure, until it was discovered that the British Government had taken
+John Jay's address, translated it into French and spread it broadcast
+throughout Canada. "Behold the spirit of the Colonists," it went on to
+remind the people, "and if you join forces with them, they will turn on
+you and extirpate your religion, in the same manner as they did in the
+Catholic colony of Maryland."
+
+The effect is historical. The commissioners were compelled to return;
+the brave Montgomery was killed before the walls of the city; Canada was
+lost to the Colonies and forever forfeited as an integral part of the
+United States; all of which was due to the narrowness and intolerance of
+those who in the supreme hour could not refrain from the fanaticism of
+bigotry.
+
+It must be said, however, out of justice to the colonists that they did
+not persist in their spirit of antagonism towards the Catholics. The
+commencement of the struggle against the common foe, together with the
+sympathetic and magnanimous concurrence of the Catholics with the
+patriots in all things, soon changed their prejudice in favor of a more
+united and vigorous effort in behalf of their joint claims. The despised
+Papists now became ardent and impetuous patriots. The leaders in the
+great struggle soon began to reflect an added luster to the nation that
+gave them birth and to the Church which taught them devotion to their
+land. The rank and file began to swarm with men of the Catholic faith,
+so many, indeed, that their great Archbishop, John Carroll, could write
+of them that "their blood flowed as freely (in proportion to their
+numbers) to cement the fabric of independence, as that of any of their
+fellow citizens. They concurred with perhaps greater unanimity than any
+other body of men in recommending and promoting that government from
+whose influence America anticipates all the blessings of justice, peace,
+plenty, good order, and civil and religious liberty."
+
+Only among the few was the spirit of intolerance still rampant, and
+among these might be numbered Colonel Forrest.
+
+
+III
+
+"See now who's t' blame, don't ye? The likes o' ye an' that poltroon,
+Jay, up there in New York. See who started this affair, don't ye?"
+
+"That's what you say. Egad, I could say all that an' save half the
+breath. I've got my 'pinion, though, and that'll do fur me."
+
+"Ye're so narrow, Forrest, ye've only one side."
+
+"Is that so? Well, so is the Governor."
+
+"Is that his opinion, too?" impatiently asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"What?"
+
+"Does he view matters in that light?"
+
+"Did I say he did."
+
+"Yes."
+
+There was no further response.
+
+Stephen had, by this time, become thoroughly exasperated with this man,
+and was about to eject him forcibly from the room. His better judgment,
+however, bade him restrain himself. A tilt in a public drinking house
+would only noise his name abroad and perhaps give rise to much
+unpleasantness.
+
+"How can a man consistently be subject to any civil ruler when he
+already has pledged his allegiance, both in soul and in body, to another
+potentate?"
+
+This from the man in black, the fourth member of the party, who
+heretofore had maintained an impartial and respectful silence, not so
+much from choice perhaps as through necessity. His name proved to be
+John Anderson.
+
+"You mean an alien?" Stephen inquired.
+
+"If you are pleased so to term it. The Pope is a temporal lord, you
+understand, and as such is due allegiance from every one of his
+subjects."
+
+And then Stephen took pains to explain, clearly and concisely, the great
+difference between the two authorities--the civil and the religious. The
+Prince of Peace had said, "Render unto Caeesar the things that are
+Caeesar's, and to God the things that are God's," which declaration
+admitted of an interpretation at once comprehensive and exclusive. He
+explained how the Catholic found himself a member of two distinct and
+perfect societies, each independent and absolute within its own sphere,
+the one deriving its charter from the natural law, the other directly
+from God. He then pointed out how these societies lived in perfect
+harmony, although armed with two swords, the one spiritual, the other
+temporal, weapons which were intended never to clash but to fight side
+by side for the promotion of man's happiness, temporal and eternal.
+
+"But it is inconceivable how a clash can be avoided," Mr. Anderson
+reminded him.
+
+"Not when it is remembered that each authority is independent of the
+other. The Church has no power over civil legislation in matters purely
+secular, nor has the state a right to interfere in ecclesiastical
+legislation, in matters purely spiritual, nor over spiritual persons
+considered strictly as such. In every Catholic country the King, as well
+as the humblest peasant, is subject to the laws of his country in
+secular matters, and to the laws of his church in matters spiritual."
+
+"Yet at the same time he cannot fail to recognize that the one is
+superior to the other."
+
+"Only in so far as the spiritual order is superior to the secular."
+
+"Not in temporal affairs as well?"
+
+"Not in the least. Only in the recognition of the fact that the
+salvation of the soul is of more importance than the welfare of the
+body. In this is the mission of the state considered inferior to that of
+the Church."
+
+"If this be true, how can a Catholic pay allegiance to a society which
+he believes to be a subordinate one?"
+
+"He does not consider it subordinate. It is supreme within its own
+sphere. Theoretically it is subordinate in this: that the care of the
+soul comes first; then that of the body. The state is the greatest
+institution in matters secular, and in this respect superior to the
+Church. The Church makes no pretense of infallibility in statesmanship.
+Hence, a Catholic who is true to his Church and her teachings makes the
+best citizen."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Because, to him, patriotism is inculcated by religion. Throughout his
+whole life his soul has been nurtured by his Church on a twofold
+pabulum,--love of God and love of country."
+
+"The Catholic Church expressly teaches that? I thought----"
+
+"Exactly," agreed Stephen, interrupting him. "The Catholic has been
+taught that the civil authority, to which he owes and pays allegiance,
+is something divine; for him it is the authority of God vested in His
+creatures and he gives ear to its voice and yields to it a sweet and
+humble submission as befits a child of God, doing His Will in all
+things. For he recognizes therein the sound of the Divine Voice."
+
+"I see."
+
+"He remembers the teaching of his Church, derived from the words of St.
+Paul writing on this subject to the citizens of Rome, 'Let every man be
+subject to higher powers, for there is no power but from God; and those
+that are, are ordained of God,' and the letter of St. Peter, the first
+Pope, 'Be ye subject, therefore, to every human creature for God's sake;
+whether it be to the king as excelling; or to governors as sent by
+him--for so is the will of God.'"
+
+"You must have been reading the Bible," interrupted Mr. Allison with a
+smile.
+
+"I have," answered Stephen, as he continued with little or no attention
+to the interruption.
+
+"The Catholic obeys the voice of his rightly constituted authority
+because he feels that he is obeying the voice of his God, and when he
+yields obedience to the law of his land, he feels that he is yielding
+obedience to God Himself. His ruler is the mouthpiece of God; the
+Constitution of his state a most sacred thing because it is the
+embodiment of the authority of God and he would rather die than commit
+any untoward or unlawful deed which might undermine or destroy it,
+precisely because it is from God."
+
+There was no response. All had listened with attention to Stephen as he
+emphasized point after point. All, save Colonel Forrest, who wore a
+sardonic smile throughout it all.
+
+"You should 've talked like that on Guy Fawkes' Day," he muttered, "if
+you wanted t' hev some fun. We'd hev some hot tar fur you."
+
+"Thank God!" replied Stephen. "We shall witness no more such outbreaks
+of fanaticism. They have long enough disgraced our country. They are, I
+trust, forever ended."
+
+"The Pope Day Celebration ended?" asked Anderson in surprise.
+
+"I hope so. Since General Washington issued the order soon after taking
+command of the army, abolishing the celebration, the practice has never
+been resumed."
+
+"Wash'ton thinks he owns th' country," mumbled Forrest in a half
+articulate manner. "Likes th' Papists, he does. No more Pope Day!
+Cath'lic gen'rals! French al-lies! P'rhaps 'll send fur th' Pope next.
+Give 'm 'is house, p'rhaps. Give 'im th' whole coun'ry. No damn good to
+us, he ain't. No damn good----"
+
+The next moment Stephen was upon him with his hands about his throat,
+his face flaming with rage and passion.
+
+"You hound! No more of that; or your treason will end forever."
+
+He shook his head violently, tightening his fingers about his throat. As
+he did, Forrest writhing in the chair under his attack, began to fumble
+with his hand at his hip as if instinctively seeking something there.
+Stephen's eyes followed the movement, even while he, too, relaxed his
+hold to seize with his free hand the arm of his adversary. Only for a
+moment, however; for he immediately felt himself seized from behind by
+the shoulders and dragged backwards from his man and completely
+overpowered.
+
+The man who was known as Anderson took charge of the Colonel, helping
+him to his feet, and without further words led him to one side of the
+room, talking softly but deliberately to him as he did so.
+
+A moment later they had passed through the door and vanished down the
+street in the direction of the Square.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+I
+
+The morrow was one of those rare days when all nature seems to invite
+one to go forth and enjoy the good things within her keeping. The
+sunrise was menacing; unless the wind shifted before noon it would be
+uncomfortably warm. Still, the air was bracing and fragrant with the
+soft perfume distilled by the pines.
+
+Stephen felt in tune with nature as he made his early morning toilet. He
+gazed the while into the garden from his widely opened window, and
+responded instinctively to the call of the countryside. The disagreeable
+episode of the preceding day had left unpleasant recollections in his
+mind which disconcerted him not a little during his waking hours, the
+time when the stream of consciousness begins to flow with an
+unrestrained rapidity, starting with the more impressive memories of the
+night before. He did not repent his action; he might have repeated the
+performance under similar circumstances, yet he chided himself for his
+lack of reserve and composure and his great want of respect to a
+superior officer.
+
+He was early mounted and on his way, striking off in the direction of
+the Germantown Road. He had left word with his landlady of his intended
+destination, with the added remark that he would be back in a short
+time, a couple of hours at the most, and that he would attend to the
+business of the day upon his return. What that might amount to he had
+no idea at all, being preoccupied entirely with what he had to do in the
+immediate present, for he made it a point never to permit the more
+serious affairs of life to intrude upon his moments of relaxation.
+
+He was a pleasant figure to look upon; smooth-faced and athletic, well
+mounted and dressed with great preciseness. On his well shaped hands he
+wore leathern gauntlets; he was in his uniform of buff and blue; beneath
+his coat he had his steel-buckled belt with his holster and pistol in
+it; he wore his cocked hat with a buff cockade affixed, the insignia of
+his rank in the service.
+
+The road lay in the direction of Marjorie's house. Perhaps he chose to
+ride along this way in order that he might be obliged to pass her door,
+and then again, perhaps, that was but of secondary import. This was no
+time for analysis, and so he refused to study his motives. He did know
+that he had not seen her for a long time, the longest time it seemed,
+and that he had had no word from her since their last meeting, save the
+intelligence received from her father yesterday in response to his
+repeated inquiries concerning her welfare and that of her mother.
+
+"Let us turn up here, Dolly, old girl." He leaned forward a little to
+pat the mare's neck affectionately as he spoke; while at the same time
+he pulled the right rein slightly, turning her head in the direction
+indicated. "And, if we are fortunate, we shall catch a glimpse of her."
+
+Dolly raised her ears very erect and opened full her nostrils as if to
+catch some possible scent of her, of whom he spoke. She pierced the
+distance with her eyes, but saw no one and so settled herself into an
+easy canter, for she knew it to be more to her rider's advantage to
+proceed at a slowing pace until they had passed the house in question.
+
+"You are an intelligent old girl, Dolly, but I must not let you too far
+into the secrets of my mind. Still, you have shared my delights and woes
+alike and have been my one faithful friend. Why should I not tell you?"
+
+And yet they had been friends for no great length of time. It was at
+Valley Forge they had met, shortly after Stephen's appointment to
+General Washington's staff. As an aide he was required to be mounted and
+it was by a piece of good fortune that he had been allowed to choose
+from several the chestnut mare that now bore him. He had given her the
+best of care and affection and she reciprocated in as intelligent a
+manner as she knew how.
+
+"You have served well, but I feel that there is much greater work before
+us, much greater than our quest of the present."
+
+They were nearing the house. For some reason or other, Dolly whinnied as
+he spoke, probably in acquiescence to his thought, probably in
+recognition of the presence of her rival. She might have seen, had she
+cared to turn her head, a trim, lithe form passing to the rear of the
+house. Stephen took pains to see her, however, and, as she turned her
+head, doffed his hat in salute. The next moment Dolly felt the reins
+tighten, and, whether she desired it or not, found her head turned in
+that direction. Her rider was soon dismounted and was leading her to the
+side of the road.
+
+"You are early astir, Mistress Marjorie. I had anticipated no such
+pleasure this morning."
+
+"It is indeed mutual," replied Marjorie, smiling as she offered him her
+hand. "How came you so early? No new turn of events, I hope!"
+
+"Not in the least. I desired a few hours in the saddle before the heat
+of the day set in, and my guardian angel must have directed me along
+this path."
+
+Dolly raised both her ears and turned towards him, while she noisily
+brought her hoof down upon the sod.
+
+"What a rascal!" she thought to herself.
+
+The girl dropped her eyes demurely and then asked hurriedly:
+
+"There are no new developments?"
+
+"None that I know of."
+
+"Nothing came of the trouble at the Inn?"
+
+"Then you know?"
+
+"All. Father told me."
+
+"He should not have told you."
+
+"It was my doing. I gave him no peace until I had learned all."
+
+Dolly grew weary of this pleasantry and wandered away to gladden her
+lips on the choice morsels of the tender grass.
+
+"I deeply regret my indiscretion, though it was for his sake."
+
+"You mean----?"
+
+"His Excellency."
+
+"I might have done likewise, were I able. Colonel Forrest is most
+disagreeable."
+
+"He was not wholly culpable and so I forgave his insulting remarks
+against us, but I forgot myself entirely when General Washington's name
+was besmirched."
+
+"I fear further trouble," she sighed.
+
+"From him?"
+
+She nodded her head.
+
+"Nonsense! There will be naught said about the whole affair and it will
+end where it began. Forrest is no fool."
+
+"I have other news for you, Captain," announced Marjorie, her eyes
+beaming at the prospect.
+
+"And how long have you been preserving it for me?" asked Stephen.
+
+"But a few days."
+
+"And you made no attempt to see me?"
+
+"Had I not met you now, I would have done so this day," answered
+Marjorie.
+
+"You would have written?"
+
+"Perhaps."
+
+"It is my forfeiture to your reserve."
+
+"And made gallantly."
+
+"Come now! What had you to tell?"
+
+"This. Peggy desires the honor of your company. You will receive the
+invitation in a day or two. Just an informal affair, yet I sensed the
+possibility of your pleasure."
+
+"You did right. I am pleased as I am honored, but neither so much as I
+am elated at the hopes for the future. Of course, I shall accept, but
+you will have to promise to denote my path for me in the tangled maze of
+society, in whose company I am as yet merely a novice."
+
+"Lud! I ne'er heard one so illiberal of his graces."
+
+"Nor one more candid," Stephen rejoined as quickly. If he were good at
+repartee he had met with one who was equally as apt.
+
+"You know the Governor will be in attendance," she declared in a
+matter-of-fact manner.
+
+"How should I know that? Is it unusual for him to frequent the company
+of the gay?"
+
+"Not of late, the more especially where the presence of Peggy is
+concerned," added the little tale-bearer with a keen though reckless
+wit.
+
+"And why Peggy?" He was innocent enough in his question.
+
+"Have you not heard of His Excellency's courting? Mr. Shippen has
+already made public the rumor that a certain great General is laying
+close siege to the heart of Peggy. And I have Peggy's own word for it."
+
+"To Peggy?" He asked with evident surprise. "Why, she but halves his
+age, and he is already a widower."
+
+"With three sons," Marjorie gayly added. "No matter. Peggy will meet the
+disparity of ages by the disparity of stations. She has avowed to me
+that no one dares to question the social preeminence of the Military
+Governor, nor the fact that he is the most dashing and perhaps most
+successful general of the Continental Army. Position in life is of prime
+importance to her."
+
+"Is that so? I had not so judged her," was the comment.
+
+"She admits that herself, and makes no secret of it before any one. Did
+you not observe her sullen silence at the Ball upon learning of the
+identity of her inferior partner? And that she sat out the major portion
+of the dance in company with the Military Governor?"
+
+"It escaped my attention, for I was too deeply concerned with another
+matter which distracted me for the entire evening," he answered with a
+smile.
+
+She pretended to take no notice, however, and continued.
+
+"Well, he has been calling regularly since that evening, and this quiet
+and informal function has been arranged primarily in his honor, although
+it will not be announced as such. You will go?" she asked.
+
+"I shall be pleased to accept her invitation. May I accompany you?"
+
+"Thank you. I almost hoped you would say that. Men folks are so sadly
+wanting in intuition."
+
+"Friday, then? Adieu! The pleasure that awaits me is immeasurable."
+
+"Until Friday."
+
+She extended to him her hand, which he pressed. A moment later he was
+mounted.
+
+"My kindest to your mother. She will understand." Dolly broke into a
+gallop.
+
+
+II
+
+Marjorie stood at the gate post until he was quite lost from view around
+the turn of the road. He did not look back, yet she thought that he
+might have. She slowly turned and as slowly began to walk towards the
+house, there to resume the duties which had suffered a pleasant
+interruption.
+
+Meanwhile, she tried to analyze this young man. He was rather deep, of
+few words on any given subject, but wholly non-communicative as regards
+himself. He perhaps was possessed of more intuition than his manner
+would reveal, although he gave every appearance of arriving at his
+conclusions by the sheer force of logic. His words and deeds never
+betrayed his whole mind, of that she was certain, yet he could assert
+himself rather forcibly when put to the test, as in the painful incident
+at the Coffee House. He would never suffer from soul-paralysis, thought
+she, for want of decision or resolution, for both were written full
+upon him.
+
+That she was strangely attracted to him she knew very well, but why and
+how she was unable to discover. This was but their third meeting, yet
+she felt as if she had known him all her life, so frank, so unreserved,
+so open, so secure did she feel in his presence. It seemed the most
+natural thing in the world for her to have waved her hand in salute to
+him that morning as he passed; she did it with the same unconcern as if
+she had known him all her life. She felt it within her, that was all,
+and could give no other possible interpretation to her action.
+
+There was something prepossessing about him. Perhaps it was his faculty
+for doing the unexpected. Most women desire to meet a man who is
+possessed of a distinctive individuality, who lends continual interest
+to them by his departure from the trite and commonplace. What Stephen
+might say or do was an entirely unknown quantity until it had actually
+taken place, and this attracted her on the instant, whether she was
+conscious of it or not. His manner, too, was affable, and gave him an
+air at once pleasing and good-natured. He never flattered, yet said most
+agreeable things, putting one perfectly at ease and inspiring sympathy
+and courage. He bore himself well; erect, manly, dignified, without
+ostentation or display. His seriousness, his evenness, his gravity, his
+constancy and his decision stamped him with a certain authority, a man
+of marked personality and character.
+
+So she mused as she entered the door, her thoughts in a lofty hegira to
+the far off land of make believe--her better self striving to marshal
+them to the cold realities of duty that lay before her. She had been
+cleaning the little addition at the rear of the dwelling proper, used as
+a kitchen, and her work took her into the yard. Dolly's whinny had
+caused her to turn her head, and the next moment cares and
+responsibilities and all else were forgotten. Now she wondered what she
+had been about! Seizing a cloth she began to dust industriously. The
+crash of one of the dishes on the kitchen floor brought her to her
+senses. Her mother heard the noise from the adjoining room.
+
+"What ails thee, child? Hast thou lost thy reason?"
+
+"I believe so, mommy. I must have been thinking of other things." And
+she stooped to gather the fragments.
+
+"Was it Captain Meagher? I saw you two at the gate."
+
+A guilty smile stole over the corners of her mouth.
+
+"He was passing while I was in the yard, and he stopped only to wish me
+the greetings of the day. I was right glad that he did, for I had an
+opportunity of extending to him the invitation from Peggy."
+
+"He will go, I suppose?" she queried, knowing well what the answer might
+be. She did not spare the time to stop for conversation, but continued
+with her duties.
+
+"He is quite pleased. And, mommy, he will call for me."
+
+"Be careful, now, to break no more dishes."
+
+"Lud! I have not lost my head yet. That was purely an accident which
+will not happen again."
+
+"That poor unfortunate Spangler made a better defense."
+
+"He deserved what he got. So did Lieutenant Lyons and the other officers
+of the Ranger who deserted to the enemy. But my sympathies go out to the
+old man who kept the gates under the city. These court-martials are
+becoming too common and I don't like them."
+
+"That is the horrible side of war, my dear. And until our people learn
+the value of patriotism, the need of abolishing all foreign ties and
+strongly adhering to the land that has offered them a home and a living,
+the necessity of these dreadful measures will never cease."
+
+"A little power is a dangerous weapon to thrust into a man's hand,
+unless he be great enough to wield it."
+
+"Now you are going to say that General Arnold is to blame for these
+tragedies."
+
+"No, I am not. But I do think that a great deal more of clemency could
+be exercised. Many of those poor tradesmen who were convicted and
+sentenced to be hanged could have been pardoned with equal security."
+
+"That is the law, my dear, and the law is God's will. Leave all to Him."
+
+
+Mrs. Allison was one of those good souls who saw no harm in the vilest
+of creatures; faults were hidden by her veil of sympathy. When
+distressing reverses or abject despair visited any one, Mrs. Allison's
+affability and indescribable tenderness smoothed over the troubled
+situation and brought forth a gleam of gladness. Quiet, kindly,
+magnanimous, tolerant, she could touch hearts to the depths in a manner
+both winning and lasting. Whether the fault entailed a punishment
+undeserved or inevitable, her feeling of pity was excited. She always
+sympathized without accusing or probing the source of the evil. She
+stretched forth a helping hand merely to aid. No nature, however hard,
+could be impervious to the sympathy and the sweetness of her
+affectionate disposition.
+
+Motherly was the quality written full upon Mrs. Allison's face. Her
+thoughts, her schemes, her purposes, her ambitions of life, were all
+colored by this maternal attribute. In her daily homage and obeisance to
+God, Whom she worshiped with the most childlike faith and simplicity; in
+the execution of the manifold duties of her home, Marjorie was to her
+ever a treasure of great price. She was sustained in her aims and
+purposes by an enduring power of will,--a power clothed with the soft,
+warm, living flesh of a kindly heart.
+
+Her marriage with Matthew Allison had been happy, a happiness
+intensified and concretely embodied in Marjorie, the only child
+vouchsafed to them by the Creator. How often, at the time when the
+deepening shadows moved their way across the dimming landscape,
+announcing to the work worn world the close of another day, would she
+sit for a brief while in silence and take complacence in the object of
+her hopes and aspirations! It was Marjorie for whom she lived and toiled
+and purposed. And it was Marjorie who embodied the sum-total of her
+fancies and ambitions and aspirations, and translated them into definite
+forms and realities.
+
+
+III
+
+A beautiful landscape unrolled itself before Stephen as he leisurely
+rode along the Germantown road. The midsummer sun was now high in the
+heavens, with just a little stir in the air to temper its warmth and
+oppressiveness. Fragments of clouds, which seemed to have torn
+themselves loose from some great heap massed beyond the ridge of low
+hills to the westward, drifted lazily across the waste of blue sky,
+wholly unconcerned as to their ultimate lot or destination. Breaths of
+sweet odor, from freshly cut hay or the hidden foliage bounding the
+road, were wafted along in the embraces of the gentle breeze. Away to
+the left and before him, as his horse cantered along, swelled the
+countryside in gentle undulations of green and brown, disfigured now and
+again by irregular patches of field and orchard yielding to cultivation;
+while to the side a stone wall humped itself along the winding road into
+the distance, its uniformity of contour broken here and there by a
+trellis work of yellow jasmine or crimson rambler, alternately
+reflecting lights and shadows from the passing clouds and sunshine. It
+was a day when all nature was in perfect tune, its harmony sweetly
+blending with the notes of gladness that throbbed in Stephen's heart.
+Yet he was scarce aware of it all, so completely absorbed was he in the
+confusion of his own thought.
+
+Stephen had a very clear idea of what he was to do in the immediate
+present, but he had no idea at all of what was to be done in the
+immediate future. First of all he would attend Mistress Marjorie at this
+informal affair, where, perhaps, he might learn more about the Military
+Governor. He half surmised that His Excellency was not kindly disposed
+towards Catholics in general, although he could not remember any
+concrete case in particular to substantiate his claim. Still he knew
+that he was avowedly opposed to the French Alliance, as were many
+illustrious citizens; and he presumed his feelings were due in part at
+least to the fact that France was a recognized Catholic country. There
+was a negative argument, too: no Catholic name was ever found among his
+appointments. These were but surmises, not evidence upon which to base
+even a suspicion. Nevertheless, they were worthy of some consideration
+until a conclusion of a more definite nature was warranted.
+
+That the Governor was becoming decidedly more unpopular every day and
+that this unpopularity was quite consequential, more consequential if
+anything than preconceived,--for it cannot be gainsaid that many had
+frowned upon his appointment from the very beginning,--Meagher knew very
+well. Unfavorable comparisons already had been drawn between the gayety
+of life under a free country and that of a colonial government. The fact
+that Arnold possessed the finest stable of horses in the city, and
+entertained at the most costly of dinners, at a time when the manner of
+living was extremely frugal, not so much from choice as from necessity,
+and at a time when the value of the Continental currency had depreciated
+to almost nothing, occasioned a host of acrid criticisms not only in the
+minds of the displeased populace, but also in the less friendly columns
+of the daily press.
+
+Censures of the harshest nature were continually uttered against the
+Governor's conduct of the affairs of the city government together with
+his earlier order closing the shops. Now, the use that he began to make
+of the government wagons in moving the stores excited further complaints
+of a more public nature, the more so that no particular distinction was
+being made as to whether the stores belonged to the Whigs or the
+offending Tories. It was no idle gossip that he curried favor with the
+upper Tory class of the city, now particular mention was made of his
+infatuation with the daughter of Edward Shippen. It was whispered, too,
+that the misuse of his authority in the grant of safe passes to and from
+New York had led to the present act of the Congress in recalling all
+passes. Stephen knew all this and he logically surmised more; so he
+longed for the opportunity to study intimately this man now occupying
+the highest military post in the city and the state.
+
+For the present he would return home and bide his time until Friday
+evening when he would have the happiness of escorting Marjorie to the
+home of Peggy Shippen.
+
+"I wonder, Dolly, old girl, if I can make myself bold enough to call her
+'Marjorie.' 'Marjorie,' Margaret,'" he repeated them over to himself. "I
+don't know which is the prettier. She would be a pearl among women, and
+she is, isn't she, Dolly?"
+
+He would ask her at any rate. He would be her partner for the evening,
+would dance with her, and would sit by her side. Peggy would be there,
+too, and the General. He would observe them closely, and perchance,
+converse with them. Colonel Forrest and the General's active
+aide-de-camp, Major Franks, a Philadelphian, and a Jew would also be
+present. Altogether the evening promised to be interesting as well as
+happy.
+
+He was musing in this manner when he heard the hoof beats of a horse,
+heavily ridden, gaining upon him in the rear. He drew up and half turned
+instinctively at the strange yet familiar sound. Suddenly there hove
+into view at the bend of the road an officer of the Continental Army, in
+full uniform, booted and spurred, whose appearance caused him to turn
+full about to await him. It was not long before he recognized the
+familiar figure of the aide, Major Franks, and he lifted his arm to
+salute.
+
+"Captain Meagher, I have orders for your arrest."
+
+"Sir?" answered Stephen in alarm.
+
+"On charges preferred by Colonel Forrest. You are to come with me at
+once."
+
+An embarrassing silence ensued.
+
+Stephen then saluted, and handed over his side arms. He wheeled his
+horse and set off in the direction indicated, his thoughts in a turmoil.
+
+The Major fell in at the rear.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+I
+
+     "For still my mem'ry lingers on the scenes
+       And pleasures of the days beyond recall."
+
+
+Peggy's voice, timid, soft though pretty, died away into an enraptured
+silence which seemed to endure for the longest while before the room
+burst into a generous measure of applause. She was very well accompanied
+on the clavichord by Miss Rutteledge and on the harp by Monsieur Ottow,
+Secretary to the French Minister. The evening had been delightful; the
+assembly brilliant in quality, and unaffectedly congenial and diverting.
+The music had contributed much to the pleasures of the function, for the
+Shippens' was one of the few homes in the city where such a resource was
+at all possible.
+
+"Major! Major Franks! What do you think of my little girl? Do you think
+'twould be well for her to cultivate such a voice?"
+
+Mrs. Shippen turned sideways. There was gratification, genuine,
+complacent gratification, visible in every line of her smiling face.
+
+"Splendid! Splendid! Of course. Madame, she sings very prettily,"
+replied the Major, gathering himself from the state of partial repose
+into which he had fallen.
+
+He sat up.
+
+"And do you know, Major," went on the fond mother, "she never had a
+tutor, except some of our dear friends who made this their home during
+the winter."
+
+"You mean the British?"
+
+"Of course they did not make so free with everybody in the city, with
+only a few, you know. It was for General Howe himself that Margaret
+first made bold enough to sing."
+
+"She does very well, I am sure," was the reply.
+
+The little group again lapsed into silence as Peggy responded with an
+encore, this selection being a patriotic air of a lighter vein. The
+Major again lapsed into an easy attitude, but Mrs. Shippen was visibly
+intent upon every motion of the singer and followed her every syllable.
+
+"How much does music contribute to one's pleasure!" she remarked when
+the conversation began to stir.
+
+"It is charming," Mr. Anderson observed.
+
+"And do you know that we inherited that clavichord? It is one of the
+oldest in the country."
+
+"It appears to be of rare design," remarked Mr. Anderson, as his eyes
+pierced the distance in a steady observance of it.
+
+"It belonged to Mr. Shippen's father," she boasted. "This house, you
+know, was the home of Edward Shippen, who was Mayor of the city over an
+hundred years ago. It was then, if I do say it, the most pretentious
+home in the city. My husband was for disposing of it and removing to
+less fashionable quarters, but I would not hear of it. Never!"
+
+Major Franks surveyed the great room deliberately.
+
+"'Twould make a fine castle!" he commented as he half turned and crossed
+one knee over the other. He felt that this would be his last visit if
+he continued to take any less interest, yet even that apparently caused
+him no great concern.
+
+And yet, a great house it was, the quondam residence of Edward Shippen,
+the progenitor of the present family, a former Mayor of the city, who
+had fled thither from Boston where he had suffered persecution at the
+hands of the Puritans who could not allow him to be a Quaker. It stood
+on an eminence outside the city. It was well surrounded, with its great
+orchard, its summer house, its garden smiling with roses, and lilies;
+bordered by rows of yellow pines shading the rear, with a spacious green
+lawn away to the front affording an unobstructed view of the city and
+the Delaware shore. It was a residence of pretentious design and at the
+time of its construction was easily the most sumptuous home in the city.
+
+The Shippens had been the leaders of the fashionable set, not alone in
+days gone by, the days of colonial manners when diversions and
+enjoyments were indulged in as far as the austerities of the staid old
+Quaker code would allow; but also during the days of the present
+visitation of the British, when emulation in the entertainment of the
+visitors ran riot among the townsfolk. Small wonder that the present
+lord of the manor felt constrained to write to his father that he should
+be under the necessity of removing from this luxurious abode to
+Lancaster, "for the style of living my fashionable daughters have
+introduced into my family and their dress will I fear before long oblige
+me to change the scene." Yet if the truth were told, the style of living
+inaugurated by the ambitious daughters was no less a heritage than a
+part of the discipline in which they had been reared.
+
+If the sudden and forced departure of the dashing as well as the
+eligible British Officers from the city had totally upset the cherished
+social aspirations of the mother of the Shippen girls, the advent of the
+gallant and unmarried Military Governor had lifted them to a newer and
+much higher plane of endeavor. The termination of a matrimonial alliance
+with the second in command of the patriotic forces not less than the
+foremost in rank of the city gentry, would more than compensate for the
+loss of a possible British peerage. Theirs was a proud lineage to boast
+of and a mode of unfeigned comfort and display. And it took but the
+briefest possible time for the artful mother to discern that her clever
+and subtle devices were beginning to meet with some degree of success.
+
+The present function was wholly her affair, and while it was announced
+as a purely informal gathering, the manner and the scheme of the
+decorations, the elegance and the care with which the women dressed, the
+order, the appointments, the refreshments, not to mention the
+distinguished French visitors, would permit no one to surmise that, even
+for a moment. Care had been taken to issue invitations to the
+representative members of the city's upper class, more especially to the
+newly arrived French Officers and their wives, as well as the
+commissioned members of the Continental Army. There were the Shippen
+girls, their persistent friend, Miss Chew, as well as Miss Franks, whose
+brother was now attached to the staff of General Arnold, and a dozen
+other young ladies, all attractive, and dressed in the prevailing
+elegance of fashion; the hair in an enormous coiffure, in imitation of
+the fashions of the French, with turbans of gauze and spangles and ropes
+of pearls, the low bodices with the bow in front, the wide sashes
+below. It was an altogether brilliant assembly, with the Military
+Governor the most brilliant of all.
+
+"Tell me, Major," asked Mrs. Shippen in measured and subdued language as
+she leaned forward in an apparently confidential manner, "does General
+Arnold visit often?"
+
+"Oh, yes!" replied the Major at once, "he is very generous with his
+company."
+
+Her face fell somewhat.
+
+"Now, isn't that strange? I was told that he made a practice of calling
+at no home outside of ours."
+
+He uncrossed his leg and shifted in his chair rather uneasily.
+
+"Quite true." He saw at once that he had made an unhappy remark. "But of
+course he makes no social calls, none whatsoever. You must know that the
+affairs of state require all of his time, for which duty he is obliged
+to visit many people on matters of pure business."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+She appeared satisfied at this explanation.
+
+"It seems as if we had known him all our lives. He feels so perfectly at
+home with us."
+
+"Exactly."
+
+"You have met him often with us, haven't you, Marjorie?"
+
+"I first met him at the Military Ball through Peggy," Marjorie replied
+naively.
+
+"But you must have met him here. He has been here so often," she
+insisted.
+
+"Then I vow our General has felt the smite of your fair daughter's
+charms," remarked Mr. Anderson.
+
+Marjorie breathed a sigh of relief at the timely interruption.
+
+"Do you really think so?" asked Mrs. Shippen, with no attempt to conceal
+her impatience.
+
+"Unquestionably.
+
+
+           'Smiles from reason flow,
+     To brute denied, and are of love the food.'
+
+
+So sang the bard, and so sing I of His Excellency."
+
+"But his age! He cannot now be thinking of matrimony."
+
+"Age, my dear Mrs. Shippen, is a matter of feeling, not of years. The
+greatest miracle of love is to eradicate all disparity. Before it age,
+rank, lineage, distinction dissolve like the slowly fading light of the
+sun at eventide. The General is bent on conquest; that I'll wager. What
+say you, Major? A five pound note?"
+
+"Not I. 'Old men are twice children,' you know."
+
+"Well, if I do say it," remarked Mrs. Shippen, "my daughter has had a
+splendid education and is as cultured a girl as there is in the city and
+would make a fitting helpmate for any man, no matter what his position
+in life may be."
+
+The orchestra began to fill the room with the strains of the minuet. Mr.
+Anderson arose and advanced towards Marjorie.
+
+"May I have the pleasure of your company?" he said.
+
+Marjorie arose and gave him her arm.
+
+
+II
+
+She tripped through the graces of the minuet in a mechanical sort of a
+fashion, her thoughts in a far off land of amazement and gloomy
+desolation. The unexpected and adverse stroke of fortune which had
+descended with hawk-like velocity upon Stephen had thoroughly
+disconcerted her. Try as she would, her imagination could not be brought
+under her control. There was one image that would not out, and that was
+Stephen's.
+
+A short note from him gave the first inkling to her. He had been placed
+under arrest by order of Major-General Arnold on the charge of striking
+his superior officer, in violation of the Fifth Article, Second Section
+of the American Articles of War. The charge had been preferred on the
+evening previous to his arrest and bore the signature of Colonel
+Forrest, with whom, she called to mind, he had participated in the
+affray at the Inn.
+
+Little would come of it. Of that she could rest assured. For if he chose
+to present his side of the case, cause might be found against the
+Colonel in the matter of disrespectful language against the
+Commander-in-chief. On that account the affair would very probably end
+where it had begun and his sword would once more be restored to him.
+Should the Colonel press the case, however, it would result in a
+court-martial, that being the usual tribunal before which such matters
+were tried.
+
+For the present he was under arrest. He was not confined and no limits
+were assigned to him in the order of his arrest, yet he was deprived of
+his sword and therefore without power to exercise any military command
+pending his trial. Since it was considered indecorous in an officer
+under arrest to appear at public places, it would be impossible for him
+to accompany her to the home of the Shippens on Friday evening. This
+caused him the greater concern, yet his word of honor obliged him to
+await either the issue of his trial or his enlargement by the proper
+authority.
+
+He bade her be of good cheer and asked a remembrance in her prayers,
+assuring her she would be ever present in his thoughts. Since he was
+allowed the use of his personal liberty, he would soon make use of a
+favorable opportunity to pay her a call. Until then, he could tell her
+no more, save the desire to have her attend the party and to enjoy
+herself to the utmost.
+
+From the moment of her receipt of this letter, she had rehearsed the
+incidents therein narrated over and over again. Go where she would her
+thought followed her as instinctively as the homeward trail of the bee.
+Reflection possessed her and she was lost in the intricate maze of the
+world of fancy.
+
+To follow mere instinct does not beseem a man, yet for woman this
+faculty is the height of reason and will be trusted by her to the very
+end. Marjorie's instinct told her that all would not be well with
+Stephen, notwithstanding his place of honor on the staff of the
+Commander-in-chief, to whom he might readily appeal should the occasion
+require. The charge was of minor consequence, and could under ordinary
+circumstances be dismissed; but it would not be dismissed. He would be
+tried, found guilty, and sentenced. A consummation too horrible for
+thought!
+
+She could not enjoy herself at Peggy's function, that she knew. But she
+must attend, if for no other reason than for appearance. The strange
+regard for this officer, which she had discovered to be growing daily in
+intensity and depth, had been brought to definite realization by the
+sudden crisis in Stephen's fortunes. The sudden revelation of this truth
+from which she was wont to recoil with petulant diffidence alarmed her
+not a little. She must not allow herself to be perturbed over this
+incident, and no one, not even her mother, must ever be permitted to
+detect the slightest concern on her part.
+
+"You seem unusually preoccupied this evening, Mistress Allison,"
+remarked Mr. Anderson as he led her to one side of the room at the
+conclusion of the dance.
+
+Marjorie started. She could feel herself coloring into a deep scarlet,
+which endured the more as she strove desperately to retain her natural
+composure.
+
+"I? Why? No! Did I appear absent-minded?"
+
+"As if sojourning in some far off land."
+
+She thought for a moment.
+
+"We all inhabit dream countries."
+
+"True. We do. And there is no swifter vehicle to that fair land than an
+inattentive companion."
+
+"You mean----"
+
+"That I am entirely at fault for allowing you to wander there."
+
+"You are unkind to yourself to say that."
+
+"I vow I mean it."
+
+They neared the settee into which he gallantly assisted her. She made
+room for him by drawing back the folds of her gown.
+
+"Have you ever had a miniature made?" he asked of her.
+
+"Never. I scarce gave it a thought," she replied nonchalantly.
+
+"In that gown, you would make a perfect picture."
+
+"Couldst thou paint it?" she asked quickly with the attitude of one who
+has proposed an impossible question.
+
+"Aye, and willingly, would I," he smartly replied.
+
+"I should love to see it. I should scarce know mine own face."
+
+She regarded the subject with ridicule, observing as she spoke the end
+of the sash with which her fingers had been fumbling.
+
+"You shall see it as it is with no artful flattery to disfigure it. May
+I bring it in person? The post-rider's bag is too unworthy a messenger."
+
+"Lud! I shall be unable to restrain my curiosity and await the carrier."
+
+"Then I shall be the carrier."
+
+"Nothing would afford me more pleasure."
+
+Neither of the two spoke for a moment.
+
+She wondered if she were imprudent. While she had not known this man
+before this evening, still she knew of him as the one who took part in
+the disturbance at the Coffee House.
+
+He seemed unusually attentive to her, although not unpleasantly so, and
+innocently enough the question presented itself to her as to the import
+of his motives. He had sought no information nor did he disclose any
+concerning himself, for at no time did their conversation arise to any
+plane above the commonplace. Yet she was willing to see him again and to
+discover, if possible, the true state of his mind.
+
+Stephen, she knew, would approve of her action; not only because of the
+personal satisfaction which might be derived therefrom, but also because
+of the possibilities which such a meeting might unfold. That Anderson
+was prompted by some ulterior motive and that he was not attracted so
+much by her charms as by the desire of seeking some advantage, she was
+keen enough to sense. Just what this quest might lead to could not be
+fathomed, yet it presented at all hazards a situation worthy of more
+than a passing notice.
+
+She mistrusted General Arnold, a mere opinion it was true, for she
+possessed no evidence to warrant even a suspicion, yet something about
+the man created within her heart a great want of confidence and
+reliance. He was supremely overbearing and unusually sensitive. This,
+together with his vaulting ambition and love of display,--traits which
+even the merest novice could not fail to observe,--might render him
+capable of the most brilliant achievements, such as his exploits before
+the walls of Quebec and on the field of Saratoga, or of unwise and
+wholly irresponsible actions, of some of which, although of minor
+consequence, he had been guilty during the past few months. He disliked
+her form of religious worship, and she strongly suspected this was the
+reason he so openly opposed the alliance with the French. She regarded
+this prejudice as a sad misfortune in a man of authority. His judgments
+were liable to be clouded and unfair.
+
+She knew Peggy like a book and she could easily imagine the influence
+such a girl could exert, as a wife, on a man so constituted. Peggy's
+social ambition and her marked passion for display and domination,
+traits no less apparent in her than in her mother, would lead her to
+view the overtures of her impetuous suitor with favor, notwithstanding
+the fact that he was almost double her own age. As his wife she would
+attain a social prestige. She was a Tory at heart, and he evidenced at
+sundry times the same inclinations. She was a Quaker, while he belonged
+to the religion of His Majesty, the King; nevertheless, both agreed in
+this, that the miserable Papists were an ambitious and crafty lot, who
+were bent on obtaining an early and complete mastery over this country.
+The pair were well mated in many respects, thought Marjorie, the
+disparity in their ages was all that would render the match at all
+irregular, although Peggy's more resolute will and intense ambition
+would make her the dominant member of the alliance. Little as the
+General suspected it, Marjorie thought, he was slowly, though surely,
+being encircled in the web which Peggy and her artful mother were
+industriously spinning about him.
+
+
+III
+
+Marjorie and Anderson sat conversing long and earnestly. Several dances
+were announced and engaged in, with little or no manifest attention on
+their part, so engrossed were they in the matter of more serious import.
+At length they deserted their vantage ground for the more open and
+crowded room, pausing before Peggy and the General, who were sheltered
+near the entrance.
+
+"Heigho, John!" exclaimed His Excellency upon their approach, "what
+strange absconding is this? Have a care, my boy, lest you have to answer
+to Captain Meagher."
+
+Marjorie felt the gaze of the group full upon her. She flushed a little.
+
+"Little or no danger, nor cause alleged," she laughed.
+
+"Captain Meagher!" recollected Anderson, "does he excel?"
+
+"I scarce know," replied Marjorie. "I have met him not over thrice in my
+life."
+
+"Once is quite sufficient," said the General. "First impressions often
+endure. But stay. Draw your chairs. I was only saying that I may be
+required to leave here shortly."
+
+"You have been transferred?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"No! But I have written to Washington begging for a command in the navy.
+My wounds are in a fair way and less painful than usual, though there is
+little prospect of my being able to be in the field for a considerable
+time."
+
+They sat down as requested, opposite Peggy and the General.
+
+"But, General, have you not taken us into your consideration?" asked
+Anderson.
+
+"I have, yet the criticism is becoming unendurable. Of course you have
+heard that matters have already become strained between the civil
+government and myself. Only last week my head aide-de-camp sent for a
+barber who was attached to a neighboring regiment, using as a messenger
+the orderly whom I had stationed at the door. For this trifling order
+there has been aroused a hornet's nest."
+
+"Wherein lay the fault?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"In this. It appears from a letter which I have already received from
+the father of the sergeant (Matlack is his name, to be exact) that the
+boy was hurt by the order itself and the manner of it, and as a freeman
+would not submit to such an indignity as to summon a barber for the aide
+of a commanding officer. We have a proud, stubborn people to rule, who
+are no more fitted for self-government than the Irish----"
+
+He stopped short.
+
+Marjorie bit her lip. "I wish, General, you would withdraw your
+comparison. It is painful to me."
+
+"I am sorry, Mistress Allison. As a matter of fact I hardly knew what I
+had said. I do withdraw it."
+
+"Thank you so much."
+
+Then he went on.
+
+"These Americans are not only ungrateful, but stupidly arrogant. What
+comparison can be drawn between this dullard, Matlack, whose feelings as
+a citizen were hurt by an order of an aide-de-camp, and I, when I was
+obliged to serve a whole campaign under the command of a gentleman who
+was not known as a soldier until I had been some time a brigadier. My
+feelings had to be sacrificed to the interest of my country. Does not
+the fool know that I became a soldier and bear the marks upon me, to
+vindicate the rights of citizens?"
+
+He talked rapidly, yet impassionately. It was plain, however, that he
+was seriously annoyed over the turn of events, on which subject he
+conversed with his whole being. He made gestures with violence. His face
+became livid. His attitude was menacing.
+
+"On my arrival here, my very first act was condemned. It became my duty,
+because of sealed orders from the Commander-in-chief, who enclosed a
+resolution adopted by Congress, to close the shops. From the day,
+censure was directed against me. I was not the instigator of it. Yet I
+was all to blame."
+
+He sat up with his hands on his knees, looking fiercely into the next
+room.
+
+"I would not feel so bitter, your Excellency," volunteered Anderson.
+"Military orders, however necessary, always seem oppressive to civilians
+and shopkeepers."
+
+"I have labored well for the cause, and my reward has been this. I took
+Ticonderoga, although Allen got the credit for it. I would have taken
+Canada, if Congress had not blundered. I saved Lake Champlain with my
+flotilla,--a fleet that lived to no better purpose nor died more
+gloriously,--and for this I got no promotion, nor did I expect one. I
+won at Ridgefield and received a Major-Generalship, only to find myself
+outranked by five others. At Saratoga I was without a command, yet I
+succeeded in defeating an army. For that service I was accused of being
+drunk by the general in command, who, for his service, received a gold
+medal with a vote of thanks from Congress, while I--well, the people
+gave me their applause; Congress gave me a horse, but what I prize more
+than all,--these sword knots," he took hold of them as he spoke, "a
+personal offering from the Commander-in-chief. I gave my all. I received
+a few empty honors and the ingratitude of a jealous people."
+
+He paused.
+
+"General," began Marjorie, "you know the people still worship you and
+they do want you for their popular leader."
+
+"I know differently," he snapped back. "I have already petitioned
+Congress for a grant of land in western New York, where I intend to lead
+the kind of life led by my friend Schuyler in Livingston, or the Van
+Renssalaers and other country gentlemen. My ambition now is to be a good
+citizen, for I intend never to draw a sword on the American side."
+
+He again grew silent.
+
+Whether he was sincere in his remarks, and his manner of expression
+seemingly revealed no other disposition of mind, or was swayed simply by
+some unfounded antipathy which caused the image of his aversion to
+become a sort of hallucination, Marjorie could not decide. She knew him
+to be impulsive and irrepressible, a man who, because of his deficiency
+in breadth, scope of intelligence, and strong moral convictions,
+invariably formed his opinions in public matter on his personal
+feelings. He was a man of moods, admirably suited withal for a command
+in the field where bluntness and abruptness of manner could cause him to
+rise to an emergency, but wholly unfitted for this reason for a
+diplomatic office where the utmost delicacy of tact and nicety of
+decision are habitually required.
+
+She knew, moreover, that he ever bore a fierce grudge towards Congress
+for the slights which it had put upon him, and that this intense
+feeling, together with his indomitable self-will, had brought him into
+conflict with the established civil authority. He was Military Governor
+of the city and adjacent countryside, yet there existed an Executive
+Council of Pennsylvania for the care of the state, and the line of
+demarcation between the two powers never had been clearly drawn.
+Accordingly there soon arose many occasions for dispute, which a more
+even-tempered man would have had the foresight to avoid. His point of
+view was narrow, not only in affairs civil and political, but it must be
+said, in social and religious as well. Of all commanders, he was the
+most unsuited for the task.
+
+Furthermore she knew that he was becoming decidedly more unpopular each
+day, not only because of the extravagance in his manner of living, but
+also because of his too frequent association with the Tory element of
+the city. While the British had held the city many of the more
+aristocratic inhabitants had given them active aid and encouragement,
+much to the displeasure of the more loyal though less important lower
+class. Consequently when the days of the evacuation had come and the
+city had settled down once again to its former style of living, many of
+the Tory element were compelled to leave town while those who had
+remained behind were practically proscribed. Small wonder was it that
+indignation ran riot when the first Military Governor openly cast his
+lot with the enemies of the cause and consorted with them freely and
+frequently.
+
+It was entirely possible that he would abide by his decision to resign
+all public office and retire to private life, notwithstanding the fact
+that he already had at this same moment despatched a letter to General
+Washington requesting a command in the navy. But she read him
+differently and found herself surprised to learn of his intended
+withdrawal, for his very nature seemed to indicate that he would fight
+his cause to the bitter end, and that end one of personal satisfaction
+and revenge.
+
+Several of the guests prepared to depart. The little group disbanded as
+Peggy made her way to their side.
+
+Marjorie and John Anderson lost each other for the first time in the
+melee which ensued.
+
+
+IV
+
+"Perhaps I ought to return," Marjorie muttered to herself, now that she
+was quite alone. "I am sure that he dropped something."
+
+And she began to retrace her steps.
+
+She felt positive that she saw General Arnold accidentally dislodge what
+appeared to be a folded note from his belt when he took hold of the
+sword knots in the course of his conversation. Very likely it was a
+report of some nature, which had been hurriedly thrust into his belt
+during some more preoccupied moment. At any rate it might be safer in
+her hands than to be left to some less interested person. She would
+investigate at any rate and resolve her doubts.
+
+Sure enough, there it was. Just behind the armchair in which he had been
+seated but a few moments before. None of the others had observed it, she
+thought, for she alone was in a position, a little to his left, to
+notice it, when it had become loosed.
+
+She picked it up and regarded it carelessly, nervously, peering the
+while into the great room beyond to discover, if possible, an
+eye-witness to her secret. From its appearance it was no more than a
+friendly communication written on conventional letter paper. It was
+unsealed, or rather the seal had been broken and from the wrinkled
+condition of the paper gave evidence of not a little handling. It
+belonged to Peggy. There was no doubt about that, for there was her name
+in heavy bold script on the outside.
+
+She balanced it in her hand, weighing, at the same time, within her
+mind, one or two possibilities. She might read it and then, if the
+matter required it, return it immediately to His Excellency with an
+explanation. Yet it would smack of dishonor to read the private
+correspondence of another without a sufficiently grave reason. It
+belonged to Peggy, who, in all probability, had been acquainting the
+General with its contents as Mr. Anderson and herself intruded upon the
+scene. She therefore resolved to return it unread.
+
+Hastily folding it, she stuck it into her bodice, and made her way into
+the room where she became lost among the guests. There would be time
+enough when the formalities of the departure were over, when Peggy was
+less occupied, to hand it her. She would wait at any rate until later in
+the evening.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+I
+
+But she did not return the paper. For with the commotion of the guests
+in the several orders of their going, a serious business of felicitation
+and devoir was demanded alongside of which all other matters only served
+as distractions. Consequently, the note once placed within her bodice,
+all thought of it vanished for the remainder of the evening.
+
+Only when she had returned home that night, fatigued and almost
+disgusted with the perfunctory performances of the evening, did she
+discover it, and then not until she was about to remove the garment
+within whose folds it lay concealed. It fell to the ground; she stooped
+to pick it up.
+
+"Oh, dear! I quite forgot it. I must attend to it the first thing in the
+morning."
+
+And she placed it on the dresser where it could not escape her eye. Then
+she retired.
+
+But she did not sleep. There she lay wide awake tossing nervously to and
+fro. She tried to close her eyes only to find them wandering about the
+room in the obscure dimness, focusing themselves now on the old mahogany
+dresser, now on the little prie-Dieu against the inner wall with the
+small ivory crucifix outlined faintly above it, now on the chintz
+hangings that covered the window. She could hear her heart, pounding its
+great weight of bitterness against the pillow; and as she listened she
+thought of Stephen's arrest and of its thousand and one horrible
+consequences. She tried to congratulate herself on her sweet serenity
+and the serenity only mocked her and anticipation loomed as fiercely as
+before.
+
+The next she knew was a quiet awakening, as if her mother's hand had
+been put gently on her arm. Outside ten thousand light leaves shivered
+gently and the birds were calling to one another in melodious tones.
+This was her first glimpse of the day and it sent her suddenly to her
+knees.
+
+
+Stephen came late that afternoon. He had not been expected; yet she was
+happy because he came. She had done little that day; had not left the
+house, nor dressed for the occasion. The note was where she had left it,
+and all reference to it buried with her thoughts of the evening.
+
+"I cannot yet tell how it has been decided. They went into executive
+session at once."
+
+"But,... Surely,... They could not find you guilty?"
+
+"Oh, well."
+
+"Please.... Won't you tell me?"
+
+"There is little to tell. It was very brief."
+
+He could not become enthusiastic.
+
+"Then you were put to trial?" she asked with an apprehension uncertain
+in quality.
+
+"Yes."
+
+"Go on. Tell me."
+
+He was silent. He desired to withhold nothing from her, yet he could not
+find the words he wanted.
+
+"What happened?" She was persistent.
+
+"Well.... I don't know.... I soured on the whole proceeding. The
+court-martial met, the Regimental Court Martial, with three members.
+This was permissible. They began, reading the charge as preferred by
+Colonel Forrest, which was to the effect that I had been guilty of
+striking my superior officer, Colonel Forrest, by attempting to choke
+him. To this was added the accusation of abusive, threatening language
+as well as a threat of murder. I, of course, pleaded not guilty; nor did
+I prepare any defense. The affair was so trivial that I was surprised
+that it ever had been brought to trial."
+
+"How long did the proceedings last?"
+
+"They were very brief. Several witnesses were examined, the chief one
+being Mr. Anderson."
+
+"I know him," remarked Marjorie.
+
+"You know him?"
+
+"I met him last evening at Shippens'."
+
+"Did he say aught about me?"
+
+"Not a word."
+
+"Well, he appeared against me. After a few more preliminary questions I
+was put on the stand in my own defense. I told briefly the circumstances
+which led to the incident (I would not call it an assault, for I
+continually maintained it to be of a trivial nature and worthy only of
+an explanation). I told how the Colonel had used certain derogatory
+remarks against the faith that I believed and practiced, which
+occasioned a violent argument. This, I think, was the great mistake I
+made, for it appeared to make an unfavorable impression upon the Court.
+In this respect they were unquestionably on the side of Forrest. Then I
+related the remark incident to my action, and announced that I would
+repeat the deed under similar circumstances were the same disrespectful
+language directed against the Commander-in-chief. This, I fear, made
+little impression either since I was already attached to the staff of
+General Washington. And a jealous rival general was about to decide my
+guilt. That ended it. I was excused and the Court adjourned."
+
+He paused.
+
+"For these reasons I have serious misgivings as to my fate."
+
+"What can happen to you?"
+
+"I do not know. It may result in a suspension, and it may result in a
+verdict of 'not guilty.'"
+
+"Will you know very soon?"
+
+"I shall be summoned before them."
+
+Neither spoke for a time.
+
+"Do you know," observed Marjorie, "I greatly mistrust General Arnold and
+I fear that he already has decided against you."
+
+"What causes you to say that?"
+
+"Well ... I don't know ... I just think it. While listening to him last
+evening I drew that impression."
+
+"Did he say anything against us?"
+
+"He is enraged at Congress and he has long felt persecuted and insulted
+by the people. He desires a command in the navy and has already written
+Washington to that effect; and again he would petition Congress for a
+grant of land in New York where he would retire to private life, for he
+vows he never will again draw sword on the American side."
+
+"Did he say this?" asked Stephen.
+
+"He did."
+
+"Do you think that he was sincere?"
+
+"I really do. He talked with all the earnestness of a man of
+conviction. Somehow or other I greatly mistrust him. And he is extremely
+bigoted."
+
+"I rather suspect this, although I have had no proofs of it. If he is,
+it will out very soon."
+
+"And you may be assured, too, that he will have an able adjutant in
+Peggy. She is his counterpart in every particular."
+
+He looked at her as she spoke, and was amazed by the excitement in her
+face. She talked excitedly; her eyes, those large vivacious brown eyes
+that looked out of her pretty oval face, were alight, and her face had
+gone pale.
+
+"I was interested in them last evening and with the apparent zeal
+displayed by Peggy's mother in favor of the match. I would not be
+surprised to hear of an announcement from that source at any time."
+
+"Has it reached that stage?"
+
+"Most assuredly! I decided that they already are on terms of intimacy
+where secrets now obtain a common value."
+
+"You think that?"
+
+"Well.... I do.... Yes. I know, for instance that he had a letter in his
+possession which was addressed to her, which letter had its origin in
+New York."
+
+"How came he by it?"
+
+"She must have given it to him. I have it now."
+
+"You have it?"
+
+He sat up very much surprised.
+
+"Where did you get it?"
+
+"I found it."
+
+"Did you read it?"
+
+"No."
+
+She smiled at him, and at his great perplexity over the apparent
+mystery.
+
+And then she told him of the little party; of herself and Mr. Anderson,
+and their intrusion upon General Arnold and Peggy; of their conversation
+and the falling of the note; of her subsequent return for it together
+with the placing of it within her bodice and the state of temporary
+oblivion into which the incident finally had lapsed.
+
+"You have that letter now?" he asked with no attempt to conceal his
+anxiety.
+
+"Yes. Upstairs."
+
+"May I see it? Really I would not ask this did I not think it quite
+important."
+
+"Very well."
+
+She left to fetch it.
+
+
+"Who is this man, Anderson?" Stephen asked upon her return. "Do you know
+him?"
+
+"No. But he is very engaging. He was my partner during the evening."
+
+She did not deem it wise to tell him everything, at least not at this
+time.
+
+"How long have you known him?" he inquired impatiently.
+
+She smiled sweetly at him.
+
+"Since last night," was the brief response.
+
+"Where did he come from?"
+
+"I scarce know. You yourself mentioned his name for the first time to
+me. I was greatly surprised when presented to him last night."
+
+"Did he come with General Arnold's party, or is he a friend of Peggy's?"
+
+"I don't think Peggy knew him before, although she may have met him
+with some of the officers before last evening. I should imagine from
+what you already know that he is acquainted with the Governor's party
+and through them received an invitation to be present.
+
+"Did he say aught of himself?"
+
+"Scarcely a thing. He has not been a resident of the city for any length
+of time, but where he originated, or what he purposes, I did not learn.
+I rather like him. He is well-mannered, refined and richly talented."
+
+"I sensed immediately that he was endowed with engaging personal
+qualities, and gifted with more than ordinary abilities," Stephen
+commented. "I have yet to learn his history, which is one of my duties,
+notwithstanding the unfortunate state of affairs which has lately come
+to pass."
+
+He stopped and took the letter which she held out to him. He opened it
+and read it carefully. Then he deliberately read it again.
+
+"You say no one knows of this?"
+
+"I am quite sure. Certainly no one saw me find it, although I am not
+certain that I alone saw it fall."
+
+"You are sure that it was in the Governor's possession?"
+
+"Quite. I saw it distinctly in his belt. I saw it fall to the ground
+when he caught hold of the sword knots."
+
+He leaned forward and reflected for a moment with his eyes intent on the
+note which he held opened before him. Suddenly he sat back in his chair
+and looked straight at her.
+
+"Marjorie," he said, "you promised to be of whatever assistance you
+could. Do you recall that promise?"
+
+"Very well."
+
+"Will you lend your assistance to me now?"
+
+She hesitated, wondering to what extent the demand might be made.
+
+"Are you unwilling?" he asked, for he perceived her timid misgiving.
+
+"No. What is it you want me to do?"
+
+"Simply this. Let me have this note."
+
+She deliberated.
+
+"Would not that be unfair to Peggy?"
+
+She feared that her sense of justice was being violated.
+
+"She does not know that you have it."
+
+"But I mean to tell her."
+
+"Please!... Well!... Well!... Need you do that immediately? Could you
+not let me have it for a few days? I shall return it to you. You can
+then take it to her."
+
+"You will let no one see it?"
+
+"Absolutely!"
+
+"Very well. And you will return it to me?"
+
+"I promise."
+
+And so it was agreed that Stephen should take the letter with him, which
+he promised to return together with the earliest news of the result of
+his court-martial.
+
+He stood up.
+
+
+II
+
+Stephen came out the little white gate closing it very deliberately
+behind him and immediately set off at a brisk pace down the street.
+Every fiber within him thrilled with energy. The road was dusty and hot,
+and his pace grew very strenuous and fervent. There was no breeze;
+there was no sound of wheels; all was quiet as the bells tolled out the
+hour of six. Nevertheless he trudged along with great haste without once
+stopping until he had reached the door of his lodgings.
+
+He turned the key and entered, closing the door behind him and taking
+the greatest of care to see that it was properly bolted. Flinging his
+hat into a chair as he passed, he went immediately to the table which
+served as his desk. While he pulled himself close to it, he reached into
+his pocket for the letter. He opened it before him and read it. Then he
+sat back and read it again; this time aloud:
+
+
+Co. 13
+
+                                             Headquarters, New York.
+                                                  15 July, 1778.
+
+Madame:--I am happy to have this opportunity to once again express my
+humble respects to you and to assure you that yourself together with
+your generous and hospitable friends are causing us much concern
+separated as we are by the duress of a merciless war. We lead a
+monotonous life, for outside of the regularities of army life, there is
+little to entertain us. Our hearts are torn with pangs of regret as we
+recall the golden days of the Mischienza.
+
+I would I could be of some service to you here, that you may understand
+that my protestations of zeal made on former occasions were not without
+some degree of sincerity. Let me add, too, that your many friends here
+present unite with me in these same sentiments of unaffected and genuine
+devotion.
+
+I beg you to present my best respects to your sisters, to the Misses
+Chew, and to Mrs. Shippen and Mrs. Chew.
+
+I have the honor to be with the greatest regard, Madame, your most
+obedient and most humble servant.
+
+                                                   W. CATHCART.
+
+Miss Peggy Shippen,
+Philadelphia.
+
+
+His face was working oddly, as if with mingled perplexity and pleasure;
+and he caught his lip in his teeth, as his manner was. What was this
+innocent note? Could it be so simple as it appeared? Vague possibilities
+passed through his mind.
+
+The longer he gazed at it the more simple it became, so that he was on
+the point of folding it and replacing it in his pocket, sadly
+disconcerted at its insignificance. He had hoped that he might have
+stumbled across something of real value, not only some secret
+information concerning the designs of the enemy, but also some evidence
+of an incriminating nature against his own acquaintances in the city.
+
+Suddenly he thought he saw certain letters dotted over, not entirely
+perceptible, yet quite discernible. He turned the paper over. The
+reverse was perfectly clear. He held it to the light but nothing
+appeared through.
+
+"By Jove!" he exclaimed softly.
+
+He looked closely again. Sure enough there were faint markings on
+several of the letters. The "H" was marked. So with the "V" in "have,"
+and the "A" and the "L." Snatching a pencil and a sheet of paper he made
+a list of the letters so marked.
+
+
+                        HVANLADERIIGAERODIRCUTN
+
+
+This meant nothing. That was apparent; nor could he make sense out of
+any combination of letters. He knew that there were certain codes
+whereby the two progressions, arithmetical and geometric were employed
+in their composition, but this seemingly answered to none of them. He
+went over the list again, comparing them with the marked letters as
+found in the note. Yes, they were identical. He had copied them
+faithfully.
+
+He sighed and ran his fingers through his hair.
+
+"So this was sent to Peggy from New York," he muttered to himself. "I
+strongly suspected that she was in communication with her British
+friends, although I never came in contact with the slightest evidence.
+This certainly proves it."
+
+He held the letter at a distance from him, attentively surveying it.
+
+"And General Arnold has been interested, too. Very likely, Marjorie's
+hypothesis is the true one. They had been reading the note when the
+newcomers arrived on the scene and the General stuck it in his belt
+until their greetings had been ended. Neither of them now know of its
+whereabouts; that much is certain."
+
+He stood up suddenly and strode about the room, his hands clasped behind
+him. Going to the window, he peered out through the small panes of glass
+of the uncurtained upper half. There burned the light across the dusk--a
+patch of jeweled color in the far off western sky. Yet it awakened no
+emotion at all.
+
+His mind was engaged in the most intricate process of thought. He
+deduced a hundred conclusions and rejected them with equal promptitude.
+He greatly admired General Arnold as the bravest leader in the line,
+whose courage, whose heroism, whose fearlessness had brought him signal
+successes. There was no more popular soldier in the army, nor one more
+capable of more effective service. To have his career clogged or goaded
+by a woman, who when she either loves or hates will dare anything, would
+be a dreadful calamity. Yet it seemed as if he had surrendered his
+better self.
+
+This man Anderson puzzled him. Personally he was disposed to dislike
+him, that being the logical effect of his relations with him. At the
+Coffee House, where he had met him, and where he had suffered his better
+judgment to become dormant, it was this man who had brought him to the
+pitch of irritation by means of a religious argument, while at the trial
+it was the same Anderson who appeared as an excellent witness and who by
+his clever, deliberate and self-possessed manner, made a strong point
+for the Colonel in the minds of the court.
+
+What was his origin? That he might never know, for of all subjects, this
+was the most artfully avoided. In the capacity of a civilian he was
+engaged in no fixed occupation so far as could be learned, and it was
+commonly known that he was a frequent visitor at the Governor's mansion.
+That he did not belong to the service, he knew very well, unless the man
+was affecting a disguise; this, however, he thought highly improbable.
+The French Alliance had been further confirmed by the arrival of the
+fleet, which brought many strangers to the city. Now as he thought of
+it, he had a certain manner about him somewhat characteristic of the
+French people, and it was entirely possible that he might have
+disembarked with the French visitors. He was a mystery anyhow.
+
+"Strange I should stumble across this chap," he mumbled to himself.
+
+
+III
+
+He awoke with a start.
+
+Just what the hour was, he could not know, for it was intensely dark. He
+reckoned that it could not be long after midnight, for it seemed as if
+he had scarcely fallen asleep. But there was a wonderful burst of light
+to his mind, a complete clarity of thought into which often those do
+awake who have fallen asleep in a state of great mental conflict. He
+opened his eyes and, as it were, beheld all that he was about to do;
+there was also a very vivid memory of his experience of the evening.
+
+He arose hurriedly and struck a light. He seized the letter in search of
+the momentous something that had dawned upon him with wonderful
+intensity.
+
+"Company Thirteen," he remarked with deliberate emphasis. "That must be
+the key."
+
+And seizing a paper he wrote the order of letters which he had copied
+from the note a few hours before.
+
+
+                            HVANLADERIIG
+
+
+He stopped at the thirteenth, and began a second line immediately under
+the line he had just written.
+
+
+                            AERODIRCUTN
+
+
+It inserted perfectly when read up and down beginning with the letter
+"H". He completed the sentence.
+
+
+                     HAVE ARNOLD AID RECRUITING
+
+
+He could not believe his eyes. What did it all mean? What regiment was
+this? Why should this be sent from a British officer to Peggy Shippen?
+There were mixed considerations here.
+
+There was a satisfaction, a very great satisfaction, in the knowledge
+that he was not entirely mistaken in his suspicions concerning Peggy.
+She was in communication with the British and perhaps had been for some
+time. This fact in itself was perfectly plain. The proof of it lay in
+his hand. Whether or not His Excellency was involved in the nefarious
+work was another question quite. The mere fact of the note being in his
+possession signified nothing, or if anything, no more than a
+coincidence. He might have read the note and, at the same time, have
+been entirely ignorant of the cipher, or he might have received this
+hidden information from the lips of Peggy herself, who undoubtedly had
+deciphered it at once.
+
+Yet what was the meaning of it all? There was no new call for
+volunteers, although, Heaven knows, there was an urgent need for them,
+the more especially after the severe winter at Valley Forge. Recruits
+had become exceedingly scarce, many of whom were already deserting to
+the British army at the rate of over a hundred a month while those who
+remained were without food or clothing. And when they were paid, they
+could buy, only with the greatest difficulty, a single bushel of wheat
+from the fruits of their four month's labor. And did it prove to be true
+that a new army was about to be recruited, why should the enemy manifest
+so much interest? The new set of difficulties into which he was now
+involved were more intricate than ever before.
+
+He extinguished the light and went to bed.
+
+The next day a number of copies of the New York _Gazette_ and _Weekly
+Mercury_ of the issue of July 13, 1778, found their way into the city.
+They were found to contain the following advertisement:
+
+
+                For the encouragement of all
+                    Gentlemen Volunteers,
+       Who are willing to serve in his Majesty's Regt. of
+                 Roman Catholic Volunteers,
+
+                        Commanded by
+
+                   Lieut.--Col. Commandant,
+
+                       ALFRED CLIFTON
+
+       During the present wanton and unnatural Rebellion,
+                       AND NO LONGER,
+                   The sum of FOUR POUNDS,
+            will be given above the usual Bounty,
+                    A suit of NEW CLOTHES,
+   And every other necessary to complete a Gentleman soldier.
+
+Those who are willing to show their attachment to their King and
+country by engaging in the above regiment, will call at Captain
+M'Kennon, at No. 51, in Cherry-street, near the Ship Yards, NEW
+YORK, or at Major John Lynch, encamped at Yellow-Hook, where
+they will receive present pay and good quarters.
+
+N. B.--Any person bringing a well-bodied loyal subject to either
+of the above places, shall receive ONE GUINEA for his trouble.
+
+                      God Save the King.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+I
+
+It was not until the following Wednesday night that John Anderson was
+ready to pay his respects to Mistress Marjorie.
+
+He had worked on the miniature since Saturday, and had regarded his
+finished product with eminent satisfaction. He had drawn her as she
+appeared to him on the night of the reception in the pose which he had
+best remembered her during the interval when she sat out the dance with
+him; her head turned partly towards him, revealing her small oval face
+surmounted by a wealth of brown hair, powdered to a gray; her small nose
+with just a suggestion of a dilatation lending to the face an expression
+of strength that the rest of the countenance only gave color to; the
+mouth, firmly set, its lines curving upward, as it should be, to
+harmonize with her disposition; the eyes, a soft brown, full of candor
+and sincerity, delicately shadowed by slender and arched eyebrows on a
+smooth forehead.
+
+Marjorie could not conceal her enthusiasm as he handed it to her. Unable
+to restrain her curiosity, she arose hurriedly and went to the window to
+benefit by the less obscure light.
+
+"Is--am I as pretty as that?" she exclaimed from her vantage point,
+without lifting her eyes from the portrait.
+
+"Only more so," responded Anderson. "My memory poorly served me."
+
+"Lud!" she remarked, holding it at arms length from her, "'Tis vastly
+flattering. I scarce recognize myself."
+
+She returned to her chair.
+
+"I swear on my honor, that it fails to do you full justice."
+
+She continued to study it, paying but little heed to his remark. It was
+a water-colored portrait done on ivory of the most delicate workmanship
+and design, set in a fine gold case, delicately engraved, the whole
+presenting an appearance of beauty, richly colored. She turned it over
+and saw the letters J.A.M.A. interlaced over the triplet:
+
+
+    "Hours fly; flowers die;
+    New days, new ways,
+    Pass by. Love stays."
+
+
+"It is very pretty," was her only comment.
+
+"Hast no one told thee how well thou might appear in a ball gown?"
+
+"I ne'er gave thought to such."
+
+"Nor what an impression thou wouldst make at court?"
+
+"Hast thou seen court beauties?"
+
+She resolved to learn more about him.
+
+"Aye! Oft have I been in their company."
+
+"At St. James?"
+
+"No. Much as I would have been pleased to. I know only Versailles."
+
+So she thought he must be a French nobleman, who like Lafayette had
+incurred the royal displeasure by running away from court to fit out a
+vessel at his own expense in the hope of furthering the cause of the
+Colonists. The great impulse given to the hopes of the disheartened
+population by the chivalrous exploit of the latter, the sensation
+produced both by his departure from Europe and by his appearance in this
+country, might behold a glorious repetition in the person of this
+unknown visitor.
+
+Her interest accordingly grew apace.
+
+"It was magnanimous of His Majesty to take our cause to his heart. We
+can never fail in our gratitude."
+
+"It is only natural for man to resist oppression. It has been written
+that it is only the meek who should possess the land."
+
+"An ideal which is often badly shattered by the selfish ambitions and
+perverse passions of godless men."
+
+"You are a Catholic?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"I am proud of it."
+
+"And your fellow patriots are of the same form of worship?"
+
+"A goodly proportion of them."
+
+"How many might you assume?"
+
+"I scarce know. We have no method of compiling our numbers, not even our
+total population."
+
+"Surely there must be a great percentage, if one considers the influx
+from France and England, not to mention Ireland, whence many fled from
+persecution."
+
+"I once heard Father Farmer say that there must be over seven thousand
+Catholics in Pennsylvania, while Maryland has about fifteen thousand.
+Whatever there remain are much scattered, except of course New York with
+its thousand."
+
+"I never dreamt they were so numerous! So great is the spirit of
+intolerance, that the wonder is that a single Catholic would remain in
+the Colonies."
+
+"I know it. Formerly Maryland and Pennsylvania were the two only
+colonies where Catholics were allowed to reside, and even there were
+excluded from any civil or military office. And the time has not yet
+arrived for complete religious freedom, though the arrival of the French
+fleet with its Catholic army and Catholic chaplains will make a
+favorable impression upon our less enlightened oppressors."
+
+"It seems strange that you should throw in your lot with a people who
+prove so intolerant."
+
+"Father Farmer, our pastor, says that no influence must ever be used
+except for the national cause, for we must be quickened by the hope of
+better days. He pleads with his people to remain faithful and promises
+the undivided sympathy of his fellow priests with their kinsmen in the
+struggle. For these reasons I hardly think that many Catholics will
+desert our cause."
+
+"Yet you must know that it was England that bestowed the most liberal
+grants to the inhabitants of the Northwest territory."
+
+"You mean the Quebec Act?" she asked.
+
+"Yes. And you know that Canada would be allied with you, heart and soul,
+were it not for the intolerant spirit of your fellow colonists."
+
+"Perhaps it would."
+
+"Now, would it not be better----"
+
+"Do you mean to suggest to me that we turn traitor?" she interrupted,
+turning full upon him, her eyes flashing with intense feeling.
+
+"No ... pardon ... I meant no offense.... The fact is I was only
+remarking on the sad plight of our co-religionists."
+
+"I fail to perceive how ill we fare. Our compatriots render us honor,
+and as Father Farmer says, 'we may cherish the hope of better days,
+which are inevitable.' You must know that one of the signers of the
+Declaration of Independence is a Catholic; and that the army and navy
+boast of a considerable quota."
+
+"We are not ungenerous of our service, it seems."
+
+"Rather are we proud of our efforts. We are proud of the fact that there
+has been found among us not one false to his country. We point with
+pride to him who was privileged to first read the Declaration of
+Independence to the public. We are proud of the composition of
+Washington's 'Life Guard'; and we are proud of our mutual friend, whom,
+perhaps, you know," and she glanced at him with a merry twinkle,
+"Captain Meagher, Washington's aide-de-camp."
+
+And so they talked. Marjorie became completely absorbed in her subject,
+once her religion became the topic, and she almost forgot her game in
+regard to her visitor. She desired to appear to the best advantage,
+however, for which purpose she talked freely, in the hope of extracting
+from him some information concerning himself and his intents. Still,
+however, there was another extreme which, though apparently less
+dangerous, she must be careful to avoid. The imaginations of men are in
+a great measure under the control of their feelings and it was
+absolutely necessary for her to refrain from imparting too much
+information lest it might deflect from its purpose the very object she
+was seeking to obtain.
+
+There was a subtle influence about him, an adroitness of speech, a
+precision of movement which, unless sufficiently safeguarded against,
+was insidious. He had the most wonderful way of getting one's
+confidence, not only by reason of his genial and affable disposition,
+but also by his apparent and deliberate sincerity. And while it was true
+that she had determined upon a method which was originally intended to
+redound to her own advantage, she soon learned that she was playing with
+a boomerang which soon put her upon the defensive against the very
+strategy which she had herself directly planned.
+
+He was not sincere in his protestations of admiration; that she
+perceived immediately. But she was resolved to let him think that she
+believed him in order that she might discover his true intents and
+purposes. Her knowledge of human nature was sufficient to enable her to
+conclude that one cannot unite the incompatible elements of truth and
+deception, the discernment of reality and the enjoyment of fiction for
+any great length of time. The reality is bound to appear.
+
+For this reason she was not disposed to dismiss him at once but rather
+to allow him to call and see her frequently, if need be, until she had
+been thoroughly satisfied as to his true character. Nevertheless she
+sensed, at this very moment, that she was playing with a skillful
+adversary, one thoroughly versed in the game of diplomacy, against whom
+she would be called upon to employ every manner of weapon at her
+command. She realized the weight of the foe, and thought she understood
+his tactics. So she accepted the challenge.
+
+"You are interested in Captain Meagher?" he asked serenely.
+
+There was a pause. Marjorie looked slightly perturbed.
+
+"Well," she confessed, "there is this much about him. I chanced to know
+the details of the offense with which he has been charged and I am
+naturally interested to learn the result of his trial."
+
+"He may be found guilty," he quietly announced.
+
+"Why do you say that?"
+
+"The evidence was wholly against him."
+
+"And there was no testimony to the effect that Colonel Forrest was
+somewhat intoxicated, or that he spoke disparaging words against the
+Captain's co-religionists, or that he attacked the character of the
+Commander-in-chief?"
+
+"There was to some extent, but it did not seem to make any impression."
+
+"I presume that you know the reason."
+
+Her eyes gleamed a little.
+
+"Why?"
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"The verdict has not been given. I shall be pleased to inform you of it
+at the earliest opportunity."
+
+"Thank you. I shall be delighted. But let's not talk about it any more,"
+she added. "Let's leave it."
+
+Mr. Anderson smiled.
+
+
+II
+
+It was perhaps an hour after dawn that Stephen awoke for about the third
+or fourth time that night; for the conflict still surged within him and
+would give him no peace. And, as he lay there, awake in an instant,
+staring into the brightness of the morn, once more weighing the
+mysterious disclosures of the evening, swayed by the desire for action
+at one moment, overcome with sadness at the next, the thought of the
+impending verdict of his trial occurred at him and made him rise very
+hurriedly.
+
+He was an early arrival at Headquarters. There had been several matters
+disposed of during the preceding day and the verdicts would be announced
+together. The room where the court was being held was already stirring
+with commotion; his judge-advocate was there, as was Colonel Forrest,
+Mr. Anderson, several members of the General's staff, and Mr. Allison,
+who had sought entry to learn the decision. Suddenly a dull solemn
+silence settled over all as the members of the court filed slowly into
+the room.
+
+They took their places with their usual dignity, and began to dispose of
+the several cases in their turn. When that of Captain Meagher was
+reached Stephen was ordered to appear before the court to hear his
+sentence.
+
+He took his place before them with perfect calmness. He observed that
+not one of them ventured to meet his eye as he awaited their utterance.
+
+They found that he was not justified in making the attack upon a
+superior officer, notwithstanding the alleged cause for provocation, and
+that he was imprudent in his action, yet because of his good character,
+as testified to by his superior officers, because of the mitigating
+circumstances which had been brought to light by the testimony of the
+witnesses during the course of the trial and because the act had been
+committed without malice or criminal intent, he was found not guilty of
+any violation of the Articles of War, but imprudent in his action, for
+which cause he had been sentenced to receive a reprimand from the
+Military Governor.
+
+Stephen spoke not a word to any one as he made his way back to his seat.
+Why could they not have given him a clear verdict? Either he was guilty
+or he was not guilty. He could not be misled by the sugary phrases in
+which the vote of censure had been couched. The court had been against
+him from the start.
+
+At any rate, he thought, the reprimand would be only a matter of form.
+Its execution lay wholly with him who was to administer it. The court
+could not, by law, indicate its severity, nor its lenity, nor indeed add
+anything in regard to its execution, save to direct that it should be
+administered by the commander who convened the court. And while it was
+undoubtedly the general intention of the court-martial to impose a mild
+punishment, yet the quality of the reprimand was left entirely to the
+discretion of the authority commissioned to utter it.
+
+When Stephen appeared before the Military Governor at the termination of
+the business of the day, he was seized with a great fury, one of those
+angers which, for a while, poison the air without obscuring the mind.
+There was an unkind look on the face of the Governor, which he did not
+like and which indicated to him that all would not be pleasant. He bowed
+his head in answer to his name.
+
+"Captain Meagher," the Governor began. "You have been found guilty by
+the Regimental Court-Martial of an action which was highly imprudent.
+You have been led perhaps by an infatuate zeal in behalf of those, whom
+you term your co-religionists, to the committal of an offense upon the
+person of your superior officer. It is because of this fact that I find
+it my sad duty to reprimand you severely for your misguided ardor and to
+admonish you, together with the other members of your sect, of whom an
+unfair representation is already found in the halls of our Congress and
+in the ranks of our forces, lest similar outbreaks occur again. Did you
+but know that this eye only lately saw the members of that same Congress
+at Mass for the soul of a Roman Catholic in purgatory, and participating
+in the rites of a Church against whose anti-Christian corruptions your
+pious ancestors would have witnessed with their blood? The army must not
+witness similar outbreaks of religious zeal in the future."
+
+He finished. Stephen left the room without a word, turned on his heel
+and made his way down the street.
+
+
+III
+
+Nature is a great restorer when she pours into the gaping wounds of the
+jaded system the oil and wine of repose. Divine grace administers the
+same narcotic to the soul crushed by torture and anguish. It is then
+that tears are dried, and that afflictions and crosses become sweet.
+
+Desolation, a very lonely desolation, and a deep sense of helplessness
+filled the soul of Stephen as he retraced his steps from the court room.
+His life seemed a great burden to him, his hopes swallowed up in his
+bereavement. If he could but remove his mind from his travail of
+disappointments and bitterness, if his soul could only soar aloft in
+prayer to the realms of bliss and repose, he might endure this bitter
+humiliation. He felt the great need of prayer, humble, submissive
+prayer. Oh! If he could only pray!
+
+He was invisibly directed into the little doorway of St. Joseph's. His
+feeling was like that of the storm tossed mariner as he securely steers
+for the beacon light. The church was nearly empty, save for a bare
+half-dozen people who occupied seats at various intervals. They were
+alone in their contemplation, as Catholics are wont to be, before their
+God, without beads or prayer-book, intent only upon the Divine Person
+concealed within the tabernacle walls, and announced by the flickering
+red flame in the little lamp before the altar. Here he felt himself
+removed from the world and its affairs, as if enclosed in a strange
+parenthesis, set off from all other considerations. And straightway, his
+soul was carried off into a calm, pure, lofty region of consolation and
+repose.
+
+To the human soul, prayer is like the beams of light which seem to
+connect sun and earth. It raises the soul aloft and transports it to
+another and a better world. There basking in the light of the divine
+presence it is strengthened to meet the impending conflict. Nothing
+escapes the all-seeing eye of God. He only waits for the prayer of his
+children eager to grant their requests. Nothing is denied to faith and
+love. Neither can measure be set to the divine bounty.
+
+"Miserere mei, Deus; secundum magnam misericordiam tuam."--"Have mercy
+on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy."
+
+Stephen buried his face in his hands, in an agony of conflict.
+
+The tone of the Military Governor's reprimand had left no room for
+speculation as to his true intents and purposes. Whatever rebuke had
+been administered to him was intended for the Catholic population,
+otherwise there was no earthly reason for holding up to reprobation the
+conduct of the body governing the republic. The mere fact that the
+Governor despised the Congress was an unworthy as well as an
+insufficient motive for the base attack.
+
+The humiliated soldier felt incapable of bearing the insult without
+murmuring, yet he chose to accept it with perfect resignation and
+submission. For a time he had fought against it. But in the church he
+felt seized by an invisible force. On a sudden this invisible tension
+seemed to dissolve like a gray mist, hovering over a lake, and began to
+give place to a solemn and tender sweetness.
+
+"Miserere mei Deus."
+
+He sought refuge in the arms of God, crying aloud to Him for His mercy.
+He would give his soul up to prayer and commit his troubled spirit into
+the hands of his intercessors before the throne of Heaven.
+
+"Accept my punishments for the soul who is about to be released."
+
+To the souls in Purgatory, then, he poured forth the bitterness of his
+heart, offering in their behalf through the intercession of the Virgin
+Mary, the cross which had been imposed upon him. The injustice of his
+trial which he knew, or thought he knew, had been tempered by the spirit
+of intolerance, was brought home to him now in full vigor by the
+severity of his reprimand. He did not deserve it, no--he could not force
+himself to believe that he did. Still he accepted it generously though
+painfully, in behalf of the sufferings of his friends.
+
+He besought them to pray for him, that he might the more worthily endure
+his cross. He prayed for his tormentors that they might be not held
+culpable for their error. He entrusted himself entirely into the hands
+of his departed ones and renewed with a greater fervor his act of
+consecration.
+
+"I beseech Thee, O my God, to accept and confirm this offering for Thy
+honor and the salvation of my soul. Amen."
+
+He arose from his pew, made a genuflection before the Blessed
+Sacrament, pronouncing as he did, "My Lord and My God," crossed himself
+with the holy water, and left the church.
+
+
+IV
+
+In the meantime an event of rare importance had occurred in the garden
+of the Shippen home. There, in the recesses of the tulips sheltered
+behind the clustering hydrangeas, Peggy accepted the fervent suit of the
+Military Governor and gave him her promise to become his bride. A few
+days later the world was informed of the betrothal and nodded its head
+in astonishment, and opening its lips, sought relief in many words.
+
+
+The wheels of destiny began to turn.
+
+
+
+
+PART TWO
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+I
+
+It was a hot October day.
+
+A torrid wave generated somewhere in the far west, and aided by the
+prevailing trade winds had swept relentlessly across the country,
+reaching the city at a most unusual time. It had not come unheralded,
+however, for the sun of yesterday had gone down a blazing red,
+illuminating the sky like rays from a mighty furnace, and tinging the
+evening landscape with the reddish and purplish hues of an Indian
+summer. And what a blanket of humidity accompanied it! Like a cloak it
+settled down upon the land, making breathing laborious and driving every
+living creature out of doors.
+
+Jim Cadwalader and his wife sat on the lawn, if the patch of brown grass
+to the side of their little house could be termed a lawn, and awaited
+the close of the day. Three huge elms, motionless in the still sunshine
+and, like all motionless things, adding to the stillness, afforded a
+canopy against the burning rays of the sun. What mattered it that the
+cool shaded air was infested with mosquitoes and house-flies or that the
+coarse grass was uneven and unkempt, from the low mounds which ran all
+over it or, from the profusion of leaves which had here and there
+fluttered down from the great trees. For it must be confessed that
+neither Jim nor his wife had found the time for the proper care of the
+premises, or if perchance, they had found the time the inclination
+itself had been wanting.
+
+"Sumthins got t' turn up in sum way 'r other b'fore long. I ain't seen
+the sight o' work here in nigh two year."
+
+"Guess you won't see it fur a while," responded the wife, from her
+straight-backed chair, her arms folded, her body erect.
+
+"Like as not a man 'd starve t' death in these here times, with nuthin'
+t' do."
+
+Jim sat with his elbows resting upon his yellow buckskin breeches, his
+rough stubby fingers interlocked, his small fiery eyes piercing the
+distance beyond the fields.
+
+"If this business o' war was through with, things 'd git right agin."
+
+"But it ain't goin' t' be over, let me tell you that."
+
+They became silent.
+
+Sad as was their plight, it was no sadder than the plight of many of
+their class. The horrors of a protracted war had visited with equal
+severity the dwelling places of the rich and the poor. It was not a
+question of the provision of the sinews of war; tax had been enacted of
+all classes alike. But it did seem as if the angel of poverty had
+tarried the longer at the doorposts of the less opulent and had, in
+proportion to their indigence, inflicted the greater suffering and
+privation. Figuratively speaking, this was the state of affairs with
+Jim's house.
+
+Everything that could stimulate, and everything that could gratify the
+propensities of a middle-aged couple, the blessings of health, the daily
+round of occupation, the joys of life and the hopes of at length
+obtaining possession of a little home, all these and the contentment of
+living, had at once been swept away from Jim Cadwalader and his wife by
+the calamities of war. They had lived as many had lived who have no
+different excuse to plead for their penury. The wages of their day's
+labor had been their sole means of support, and when this source of
+income had vanished, nothing was left. In the low and dingy rooms which
+they called their home there were no articles of adornment and many
+necessary for use were wanting. Sand sprinkled on the floor did duty as
+a carpet. There was no glass upon their table; no china on the cupboard;
+no prints on the wall. Matches were a treasure and coal was never seen.
+Over a fire of broken boxes and barrels, lighted with sparks from the
+flint, was cooked a rude meal to be served in pewter dishes. Fresh meat
+was rarely tasted--at most but once a week, and then paid for at a
+higher price than their scanty means could justly allow.
+
+"The way things 're goin' a pair o' boots 'll soon cost a man 'most six
+hundr' dollars. I heard a man say who 's good at figurin' out these
+things, that it now takes forty dollar bills t' make a dollar o' coin.
+We can't stand that much longer."
+
+"Unless a great blow is struck soon," observed Nancy.
+
+"But it won't be struck. Washington's watchin' Clinton from Morristown.
+The Americans are now on the offensive an' Clinton 's busy holdin' New
+York. The French 're here an' who knows but they may do somethin'. 'Twas
+too bad they missed Howe's army when it left here."
+
+"Were they here?"
+
+"They were at the capes when the chase was over. Lord Howe's ships had
+gone."
+
+Again there was silence.
+
+"I guess Washington can't do much without an army. He has only a handful
+an' I heard that the volunteers won't stay. Three thousan' o' them left
+t' other day. Can't win a war that way. If they'd only listen to Barry
+they'd have a navy now, an' if they want to catch Clinton in New York
+they'll need a navy."
+
+"Is the Captain home?"
+
+"I saw him t' other day. He is goin' t' Boston t' command the _Raleigh_,
+a thirty-two gunner. But one's no good. He needs a fleet."
+
+"Thank God! The French have come. Peace is here now."
+
+"It's money we need more'n soldiers. We can git an army right here if we
+could only pay 'em. No one 'll fight fur nuthin'. They're starvin' as
+much as us."
+
+The fact that the hopes of this American couple had suffered a partial
+collapse, must be attributed rather to the internal state of affairs
+than to the military situation. While it is true that no great military
+objective had been gained as a result of the three years of fighting,
+yet the odds at the present moment were decidedly on the American side.
+Still the country was without anything fit to be called a general
+government. The Articles of Confederation, which were intended to
+establish a league of friendship between the thirteen states, had not
+yet been adopted. The Continental Congress, continuing to decline in
+reputation and capacity, provoked a feeling of utter weariness and
+intense depression. The energies and resources of the people were
+without organization.
+
+Resources they had. There was also a vigorous and an animated spirit of
+patriotism, but there were no means of concentrating and utilizing
+these assets. It was the general administrative paralysis rather than
+any real poverty that tried the souls of the colonists. They heartily
+approved of the war; Washington now held a higher place in their hearts
+than he had ever held before; peace seemed a certainty the longer the
+war endured. But they were weary of the struggle and handicapped by the
+internal condition of affairs.
+
+Jim and his wife typified the members of the poorer class, the class
+upon whom the war had descended with all its horror and cruelty and
+desolation. Whatever scanty possessions they had, cows, corn, wheat or
+flour, had been seized by the foraging parties of the opposing forces,
+while their horse and wagon had been impressed into the service of the
+British, at the time of the evacuation of the city, to cart away the
+stores and provisions. A means of occupation had been denied Jim during
+the period of stagnation and what mere existence could now be eked out
+depended solely in the tillage of the land upon which he dwelled.
+Nevertheless the Cadwaladers maintained their outward cheer and apparent
+optimism throughout it all but still they yearned inwardly for the day
+when strife would be no more.
+
+"I can't see as t' how we're goin' to git off eny better when this here
+whole thin's over. We're fightin' fur independence, but the peopul don't
+want to change their guver'ment; Washington 'll be king when this is
+over."
+
+Jim was ruminating aloud, stripping with his thumb nail the bark from a
+small branch which he had picked from the ground.
+
+"'Twas the Quebec Act th' done it. It was supposed to reestablish Popery
+in Canada, and did by right. But th' Americans, and mostly those in New
+England who are the worst kind of Dissenters and Whigs got skeered
+because they thought the Church o' England or the Church o' Rome 'd be
+the next thing established in the Colonies. That's what brought on the
+war."
+
+"We all don't believe that. Some do; but I don't."
+
+"You don't?" he asked, without lifting his eyes to look at her. "Well
+you kin. Wasn't the first thing they did up in New England to rush t'
+Canada t' capture the country or else t' form an alliance with it? And
+didn't our own Arnold try t' git revenge on it fur not sidin' in with
+him by plunderin' th' homes of th' peopul up there and sendin' the goods
+back to Ticonderoga?"
+
+She made no reply, but continued to peer into the distance.
+
+"And didn't our Congress send a petition to King George t' have 'm
+repeal the limits o' Quebec and to the peopul t' tell 'm the English
+Guver'ment 'is not authorized to establish a religion fraught with
+sanguary 'r impius tenets'? I know 'cause I read it."
+
+"It makes no diff'rence now. It's over."
+
+"Well it shows the kind o' peopul here. They're so afreed o' the Pope."
+
+She waved her hand in a manner of greeting.
+
+"Who's that?" asked Jim.
+
+"Marjorie."
+
+He turned sideways looking over his shoulder.
+
+Then he stood up.
+
+
+II
+
+That there was more than a grain of truth in the assertion of Jim
+Cadwalader that the war for Independence had, like the great rivers of
+the country, many sources, cannot be gainsaid. There were oppressive tax
+laws as well as restrictions on popular rights. There were odious
+navigation acts together with a host of iniquitous, tyrannical measures
+which were destined to arouse the ire of any people however loyal. But
+there were religious prejudices which were likewise a moving cause of
+the revolt, a moving force upon the minds of the people at large. And
+these were utilized and systematized most effectively by the active
+malcontents and leaders of the strife.
+
+The vast majority of the population of the Colonies were Dissenters,
+subjects of the crown who disagreed with it in matters of religious
+belief and who had emigrated thither to secure a haven where they might
+worship their God according to the dictates of their own conscience
+rather than at the dictates of a body politic. The Puritans had sought
+refuge in Massachusetts and Connecticut where the white spires of their
+meeting houses, projecting above the angles of the New England hills,
+became indicative of Congregationalism. Roger Williams and the Baptists
+found a harbor in Rhode Island. William Penn brought the Quaker colony
+to Pennsylvania. Captain Thomas Webb lent active measures to the
+establishment of Methodism in New York and in Maryland, while the colony
+of Virginia afforded protection to the adherents of the Established
+Church. The country was in the main Protestant, save for the vestiges of
+Catholicity left by the Franciscan and Jesuit Missionary Fathers, who
+penetrated the boundless wastes in an heroic endeavor to plant the seeds
+of their faith in the rich and fertile soil of the new and unexplored
+continent.
+
+Consequently with the passage of the Quebec Act in 1774 a wave of
+indignation and passionate apprehension swept the country from the
+American Patriots of Boston to the English settlements on the west. That
+large and influential members of the Protestant religion were being
+assailed and threatened with oppression and that the fear of Popery,
+recently reestablished in Canada, became an incentive for armed
+resistance, proved to be motives of great concern. They even reminded
+King George of these calamities and emphatically declared themselves
+Protestants, faithful to the principles of 1688, faithful to the ideals
+of the "Glorious Revolution" against James II, faithful to the House of
+Hanover, then seated on the throne.
+
+"Can a free government possibly exist with the Roman Catholic Church?"
+asked John Adams of Thomas Jefferson. This simple question embodied in
+concrete form the apprehensions of the country at large, whose
+inhabitants had now become firmly convinced that King George, in
+granting the Quebec Bill, had become a traitor, had broken his
+coronation oath, was a Papist at heart, and was scheming to submit this
+country to the unconstitutional power of the English monarch. It was not
+so much a contest between peoples as a conflict of principles, political
+and religious, the latter of which contributed the active force that
+brought on the revolt and gave it power.
+
+
+III
+
+Strange to relate, there came a decided reversal of position after the
+formation of the French Alliance. No longer was the Catholic religion
+simply tolerated; it was openly professed, and, owing in a great measure
+to the unwearied labors of the Dominican and Franciscan friars, made the
+utmost progress among all ranks of people. The fault of the Catholic
+population was anything but disloyalty, it was found, and their manner
+of life, their absolute sincerity in their religious convictions, their
+generous and altruistic interest in matters of concern to the public
+good, proved irrefutable arguments against the calumnies and
+vilifications of earlier days. The Constitutions adopted by the several
+states and the laws passed to regulate the new governments show that the
+principles of religious freedom and equality had made progress during
+the war and were to be incorporated as vital factors in the shaping of
+the destinies of the new nation.
+
+The supreme importance of the French Alliance at this juncture cannot be
+overestimated. Coming, as it did, at a time when the depression of the
+people had reached the lowest ebb, when the remnant of the army of the
+Americans was enduring the severities of the winter season at Valley
+Forge, when the enemy was in possession of the fairest part of the
+country together with the two most important cities, when Congress could
+not pay its bills, nor meet the national debt which alone exceeded forty
+million dollars,--when the medium of exchange would not circulate
+because of its worthlessness, when private debts could not be collected
+and when credit was generally prostrated, the Alliance proved a benefit
+of incalculable value to the struggling nation, not only in the
+enormous resources which it supplied to the army but in the general
+morale of the people which it made buoyant.
+
+The capture of Burgoyne and the announcement that Lord North was about
+to bring in conciliatory measures furnished convincing proof to France
+that the American Alliance was worth having. A treaty was drawn up by
+virtue of which the Americans solemnly agreed, in consideration of armed
+support to be furnished by France, never to entertain proposals of peace
+with Great Britain until their independence should be acknowledged, and
+never to conclude a treaty of peace except with the concurrence of their
+new ally.
+
+Large sums of money were at once furnished the American Congress. A
+strong force of trained soldiers was sent to act under Washington's
+command. A powerful fleet was soon to set sail for American waters and
+the French forces at home were directed to cripple the military power of
+England and to lock up and neutralize much British energy which would
+otherwise be directed against the Americans. Small wonder that a new era
+began to dawn for the Colonists!
+
+When we remember the anti-Catholic spirit of the first years of the
+Revolution and consider the freedom of action which came to the
+Catholics as a consequence of the French Alliance, another and a
+striking phase of its influence is revealed. The Catholic priests
+hitherto seen in the colonies had been barely tolerated in the limited
+districts where they labored. Now came Catholic chaplains of foreign
+embassies; army and navy chaplains celebrating mass with pomp on the
+men-of-war and in the camps and cities. The French chaplains were
+brought in contact with all classes of the people in all parts of the
+country and the masses said in the French lines were attended by many
+who had never before witnessed a Catholic ceremony. Even Rhode Island,
+with a French fleet in her waters, blotted from her statute-book a law
+against Catholics.
+
+
+IV
+
+"What have we here, Marjorie?" asked Jim as he walked part of the way to
+meet her.
+
+"Just a few ribs of pork. I thought that you might like them."
+
+She gave Jim the basket and walked over to Mrs. Cadwalader and kissed
+her.
+
+"Heaven bless you, Marjorie," exclaimed Nancy as she took hold of the
+girl's hands and held them.
+
+"Oh, thank you! But it is nothing, I assure you."
+
+"You kin bet it is," announced Jim as he removed from the basket a long
+side of pork. "Look 't that, Nancy." And he held it up for her
+observation.
+
+Marjorie had been accustomed to render some relief to Jim and his wife
+since the time when reverses had first visited them. Her good nature, as
+well as her consideration of the long friendship which had existed
+between the two families, had prompted her to this service. Jim would
+never be in want through any fault of hers, yet she was discreet enough
+never to proffer any avowed financial assistance. The mode she employed
+was that of an occasional visit in which she never failed to bring some
+choice morsel for the table.
+
+"How's the dad?" asked Jim.
+
+"Extremely well, thank you. He has been talking all day on the failure
+of the French to take Newport."
+
+"What's that?" asked Jim, thoroughly excited. "Has there been news in
+town?"
+
+"Haven't you heard? The fleet made an attack."
+
+"Where? What about it?"
+
+"They tried to enter New York to destroy the British, but it was found,
+I think, that they were too large for the harbor. So they sailed to
+Newport to attack the garrison there."
+
+"Yeh?"
+
+"General Sullivan operated on the land, and the French troops were about
+to disembark to assist him. But then Lord Howe arrived with his fleet
+and Count d'Estaing straightway put out to sea to engage him."
+
+"And thrashed 'm----"
+
+"No," replied Marjorie. "A great storm came up and each had to save
+himself. From the reports Father gave, General Sullivan has been left
+alone on the island and may be fortunate if he is enabled to withdraw in
+safety."
+
+"What ails that Count!" exclaimed Jim thoroughly aroused. "I don't think
+he's much good."
+
+"Now don't git excited," interrupted Nancy. "That's you all th' time.
+Just wait a bit."
+
+"Just when we want 'im he leaves us. That's no good."
+
+"Any more news, girl?"
+
+"No. Everything is quiet except for the news we received about the
+regiment of Catholic volunteers that is being recruited in New York."
+
+"In New York? Clinton is there."
+
+"I know it. This is a British regiment."
+
+"I see. Tryin' t' imitate 'The Congress' Own?"
+
+"So it seems."
+
+"And do they think they will git many Cath'lics, or that there 're
+enough o' them here?"
+
+"I do not know," answered Marjorie. "But some handbills have appeared
+in the city which came from New York."
+
+"And they want the Cath'lics? What pay are they goin' t' give?"
+
+"Four pounds."
+
+"That's a lot o' money nowadays."
+
+"That is all I know about it. I can't think what success they will have.
+We are sure of some loyalists, however."
+
+"I guess I'll hev to git down town t' see what's goin' on. Things were
+quiet fur so long that I stayed pretty well t' home here. What does yur
+father think?"
+
+"He is angry, of course. But he has said little."
+
+"I never saw anything like it. What'll come next?"
+
+He folded his arms and crossed his knee.
+
+An hour later she stood at the gate taking her leave of Jim and Nancy at
+the termination of a short but pleasant visit.
+
+"Keep a stout heart," she was saying to Jim, "for better days are
+coming."
+
+"I know 't, girl. Washington won't fail."
+
+"He is coming here shortly."
+
+"To Philadelphia?" asked Nancy.
+
+"Yes. So he instructed Captain Meagher."
+
+"I hope he removes Arnold."
+
+"Hardly. He is a sincere friend to him. He wishes to see Congress."
+
+"Has he been summon'd?"
+
+"No! Captain Meagher intimated to me that a letter had been sent to His
+Excellency from the former chaplain of Congress, the Rev. Mr. Duche,
+complaining that the most respectable characters had withdrawn and were
+being succeeded by a great majority of illiberal and violent men. He
+cited the fact that Maryland had sent the Catholic Charles Carroll of
+Carrollton instead of the Protestant Tilghman."
+
+"Who is this Duche?"
+
+"I do not know. But he has since fled to the British. He warmly
+counseled the abandonment of Independence."
+
+"If that's his style, he's no good. Will we see the Gin'ral?"
+
+"Perhaps. Then again he may come and go secretly."
+
+"God help the man," breathed Nancy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+I
+
+"Simply a written statement. A public utterance from you denouncing the
+Catholics would prove of incalculable value to us."
+
+John Anderson had been for an hour or more in the company of the
+Military Governor. Seemingly great progress had been made in the
+recruiting of the regiment, much of which had, of necessity, been
+effected in a secret manner, for now the city was under the domination
+of the Continental forces. Anderson had made the most of his time and
+was in a fair way to report progress for the past month.
+
+"Don't be a fool, Anderson. You know that it would be the height of
+folly for me to make any such statement. I can do no more than I am
+doing. How many have you?"
+
+"Nearly an hundred."
+
+"There are several miserable Papists in Congress. If they could be
+prevailed upon to resign, it would create a considerable impression upon
+the minds of the people."
+
+"I did see Carroll."
+
+"How did he receive you?"
+
+"He replied to me that he had entered zealously into the Revolution to
+obtain religious as well as civil liberty, and he hoped that God would
+grant that this religious liberty would be preserved in these states to
+the end of time."
+
+"Confound him! We cannot reach him, I suppose."
+
+"So it appears. He is intensely patriotic."
+
+"You have an hundred, you say? All common folk, I venture. We should
+have several influential men."
+
+"But they cannot be reached. I know well the need of a person of
+influence, which thought urged me to ask such a statement from you."
+
+He looked at him savagely.
+
+"Do you think I'm a fool?"
+
+"'The fool knows more in his own house than a wise man does in
+another's.' I merely suggest, that is all."
+
+"My answer is,--absolutely, No!"
+
+There was silence.
+
+"I know that Roman Catholic influence is beginning to reveal itself in
+the army. Washington is well disposed toward them and they are good
+soldiers. Time was when they were less conspicuous; but nowadays every
+fool legislature is throwing public offices open to them and soon France
+will exercise the same control over these states as she now wields
+across the seas."
+
+"Would you be in league with France?" asked Anderson with a wavering
+tremor in his voice.
+
+"God knows how I detest it! But I have sworn to defend the cause of my
+country and I call this shattered limb to witness how well I have spent
+myself in her behalf. I once entertained the hope that our efforts would
+be crowned with success, nevertheless I must confess that the more
+protracted grows the struggle, the more the conviction is forced upon me
+that our cause is mistaken, if not entirely wrong, and destined to
+perish miserably. Still, I shall not countenance open rebellion. I could
+not."
+
+"You will continue to advise me. I am little acquainted with the city,
+you know, and it would be difficult for me to avoid dangerous risks."
+
+Arnold thought for a minute, his features overcast by a scowl which
+closed his eyes to the merest chinks.
+
+"I shall do no more than I have already done. I cannot permit myself to
+be entangled. There is too much at stake."
+
+He was playing a dangerous game, inspirited by no genuine love for
+country but by feelings of wounded pride. He was urged on, not through
+any fears of personal safety but through misguided intimidations of a
+foreign alliance; not because of any genuine desire to aid or abet the
+cause of the enemy but to cast suspicion upon a certain unit within his
+own ranks. To be deprived of active duty in the field was to his warm
+and impulsive nature an ignominious calamity. To learn subsequently of
+the appointment of Gates to the second in command, the one general whom
+he despised and hated, was more than his irritable temperament could
+stand. The American cause now appeared hopeless to him, nevertheless he
+entertained no thought of deserting it. He had performed his duty in its
+behalf, as his wounded limb often reminded him, and it was only fitting
+that he, who alone had destroyed a whole army of the enemy, should be
+rewarded with due consideration. Congress had ever been unfriendly to
+him and he had resented their action, or their failure to take proper
+action, most bitterly. Throughout it all his personal feelings had
+guided to a large extent his faculty of judgment, and for that reason he
+viewed with mistrust and suspicion every intent and purpose, however
+noble or exalted.
+
+He had been violently opposed to the alliance with France from the
+start. It was notorious that he abhorred Catholics and all things
+Catholic. To take sides with a Catholic and despotic power which had
+been a deadly foe to the colonists ten or twenty years before, during
+the days of the French and Indian wars, was to his mind a measure at
+once unpatriotic and indiscreet. In this also, he had been actuated by
+his personal feelings more than by the study of the times. For he
+loathed Popery and the thousand and one machinations and atrocities
+which he was accustomed to link with the name.
+
+The idea of forming a regiment of Catholic soldiers interested him not
+in the numerical strength which might be afforded the enemy but in the
+defection which would be caused to the American side. His scheme lay in
+the hope that the Catholic members of Congress would be tempted to
+resign. In that event he would obtain evident satisfaction not alone in
+the weakness to which the governing body would be exposed but also in
+the ill repute to which American Catholics and their protestations of
+loyalty would fall.
+
+Arnold deep down in his own heart knew that his motives were not
+unmixed. He could not accuse himself of being outrageously mercenary,
+yet he was ashamed to be forced to acknowledge even to himself that the
+desire of gain was present to his mind. His debts were enormous. He
+entertained in a manner and after a style far in excess of his modest
+allowance. His dinners were the most sumptuous in the town; his stable
+the finest; his dress the richest. And no wonder that his play, his
+table, his balls, his concerts, his banquets had soon exhausted his
+fortune. Congress owed him money, his speculations proved unfortunate,
+his privateering ventures met with disaster. With debts accumulating and
+creditors giving him no peace he turned to the gap which he saw opening
+before him. This was an opportunity not to be despised.
+
+"About that little matter--how soon might I be favored?" the Governor
+asked, rising from his chair and limping with his cane across the room.
+
+"You refer to the matter of reimbursements?" Anderson asked
+nonchalantly.
+
+"I do."
+
+He gazed from the window with his back turned to his visitor.
+
+"I shall draw an order for you at once."
+
+"You shall do nothing of the kind."
+
+He looked fiercely at him.
+
+"You are playing a clever game, are you not? But you have to cope now
+with a clever adversary."
+
+He walked deliberately before him, and continued:
+
+"Anderson," he said, "I want to tell you I know who you are and for what
+purpose you have been sent here. I know too by whom you have been sent.
+I knew it before you were here twenty-four hours and I want to tell you
+now before we continue that we may as well understand each other in a
+thorough manner. If you desire my assistance you must pay me well for
+it. And it must be in legal tender."
+
+"Of course--but--but--the truth is that I am in no way prepared to make
+any offer now. I can communicate with you in a few days, or a week."
+
+"Don't come here. You must not be seen here again. Send it to me or
+better still meet me."
+
+"Can you trust the Shippens?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+"Why not there?"
+
+"You mean to confer with me there?"
+
+"If it is safe, as you say, where would be more suitable?"
+
+"True. But I must have some money as soon as possible. The nation is
+bankrupt and my pay is long overdue. I cannot, however, persuade the
+creditors any longer. I must have money."
+
+"You shall have it. At Shippen's then."
+
+He rose and walked directly to the door.
+
+"Next week."
+
+He shut the door after him and hurried along the corridor. As he turned
+he came face to face with a countenance entirely familiar to him but
+momentarily lost to his consciousness by its sudden and unexpected
+appearance. In a second, however, he had recovered himself.
+
+"Captain! I am pleased indeed."
+
+He put out his hand.
+
+Stephen thought for a moment. Then he grasped it.
+
+"Mr. Anderson. What good fortune is this?"
+
+"Complimentary. Simply paying my respects for kindness rendered."
+
+"Have a care lest your zeal overwhelm you."
+
+Anderson colored at the allusion.
+
+"Thank you. I shall exercise all moderation."
+
+Stephen watched him as he moved away, deliberating hurriedly on the
+advisability of starting after him. Whatever his mission or his purpose,
+he would not learn in this house certainly, nor from him nor from Arnold
+for that matter. If he was intent on securing information concerning
+this man he must do it in a surreptitious manner. There was no other
+method of dealing with him, he thought, and in view of such
+circumstances he deemed it perfectly legitimate to follow him at a safe
+distance.
+
+The more he thought over it the more readily did he resolve to take
+action to the end that he might see more of him. Whatever mischief was
+afoot, and he had no more than a mere suspicion that there was mischief
+afoot, must reveal itself sooner or later. His object in all probability
+had already been accomplished, nevertheless his errand, if he was
+engaged on an errand, might be disclosed. He would follow him if for no
+other purpose than to learn of his destination.
+
+Second Street was now astir with a lively procession. There, every day
+when business was over, when the bank was closed, when the exchange was
+deserted, crowds of seekers came to enjoy the air and to display their
+rich garments. There might be found the gentlemen of fashion and of
+means, with their great three-cornered cocked hats, resting majestically
+upon their profusely powdered hair done up in cues, their light colored
+coats, with their diminutive capes and long backs, their striped
+stockings, pointed shoes, and lead-laden cuffs, paying homage to the
+fair ladies of the town. These, too, were gorgeous in their brocades and
+taffetas, luxuriantly displayed over cumbrous hoops, tower-built hats,
+adorned with tall feathers, high wooden heels and fine satin petticoats.
+It was an imposing picture to behold these gayly dressed damsels gravely
+return the salutations of their gallant admirers and courtesy almost to
+the ground before them.
+
+Stephen searched deliberately for his man throughout the length of the
+crowded thoroughfare, standing the while on the topmost step of the
+Governor's Mansion--that great old-fashioned structure resembling in
+many details a fortification, with its two wings like bastions extending
+to the rear, its spacious yard enclosed with a high wall and ornamented
+with two great rows of lofty pine trees. It was the most stately house
+within the confines of the city and, with Christ Church, helped to make
+Second Street one of the aristocratic thoroughfares of the town.
+
+It was with difficulty that Stephen discerned Anderson walking briskly
+in the direction of Market Street. He set off immediately, taking care
+to keep at a safe distance behind him. He met several acquaintances, to
+whom he doffed his hat and returned their afternoon greeting, while he
+pursued his quest with lively interest and attention. Market Street was
+reached, and here he was obliged to pause near a shop window lest he
+might overtake Anderson, who had halted to exchange pleasantries with a
+young and attractive couple. On they went again deliberately and
+persistently until at length it began to dawn upon Stephen that they
+were headed for the Germantown road, and for Allison's house.
+
+What strange relation was arising between Marjorie and that man?
+Anderson was paying marked attention to her, he began to muse to
+himself, too much attention perhaps, for one whose whole existence was
+clouded with a veil of mystery. Undoubtedly he was meeting with some
+encouragement, if not reciprocation (perish the thought!), for he was
+persistent in his attention. Yet this man was not without charm. There
+was something fascinating about him which even Stephen must confess was
+compelling. What if she had been captivated by him, by his engaging
+personal qualities, by his prepossessing appearance, by his habit of
+gentle speech, by his dignity and his ease of manner! His irritation was
+justifiable.
+
+There was little doubt now as to Anderson's destination. Plainly he was
+bent on one purpose. The more he walked, the more evident this became.
+Stephen would be assured, however, and pursued his way until he had seen
+with his own eyes his man turn into Allison's house. And not until then
+did he halt. Turning deliberately he began to retrace his steps.
+
+
+II
+
+"This looks like the kind of book. Has it the 'Largo'?"
+
+Anderson sat on the music-stool before the clavichord turning over the
+pages of a volume that rested on the rack.
+
+"Perhaps. I scarce think I know what it is. I have never heard it."
+
+Marjorie was nearby. She had been musing over the keys, letting her
+fingers wander where they would, when he had called. He would not
+disturb her for all the world, nevertheless he did yield to her
+entreaties to take her place on the stool.
+
+"You have never heard Handel? The 'Largo' or the greatest of all
+oratorios, his 'Messiah'?"
+
+"Never!"
+
+He did not reply to this. Instead he broke into the opening chords, the
+sweetly solemn, majestic harmony of the 'Largo'. He played it entirely
+from memory, very slowly, very softly at first, until the measured
+notes, swelling into volume, filled the room in a loud arpeggio.
+
+"That is beautiful," she exclaimed with enthusiasm, "I should have said
+'exquisite'. May I learn it?"
+
+"Surely there must be a copy in the city. I shall consider it a favor to
+procure one for you."
+
+"I should be delighted, I am sure."
+
+He played it again. She regarded him from above. It was astonishing to
+note the perfect ease and grace with which he performed. The erect
+carriage, the fine cut of the head, the delicately carved features
+became the objects of her attention in their inverse order, and the
+richly endowed talents, with which he was so signally accomplished,
+furnished objects of special consideration to her reflective soul. He
+was exceedingly fascinating and a dangerous object to pit against the
+heart of any woman. Still Marjorie was shrewd enough to peer beneath his
+superficial qualities, allowing herself to become absorbed in a
+penetrating study of the man, his character, his peculiarities;--so
+absorbed, in fact, that the door behind her opened and closed without
+attracting her attention.
+
+"I must obtain that copy," she announced as she turned towards her
+chair.
+
+"Why, Father!" she exclaimed. "When did you come? Mr. Anderson, Father.
+You already know him."
+
+"Well met, my boy. You are somewhat of a musician. I was listening."
+
+"Just enough for my own amusement," laughed the younger man. "I know a
+few notes."
+
+"Be not quick to believe him, Father. He plays beautifully."
+
+Mr. Allison sat down.
+
+"Accomplishments are useful ornaments. Nowadays a man succeeds best who
+can best impress. People want to see one's gifts."
+
+"The greatest of talents often lie buried. Prosperity thrives on
+pretense."
+
+"True. I'm beginning to think that way myself, the way things 're
+going."
+
+"With the war?" he asked.
+
+"With everything. I think Congress will fail to realize its boasts, and
+Arnold is a huge pretender, and----"
+
+"He has lost favor with the people."
+
+"Lost it? He never had it from the day he arrived. People do not like
+that sort of thing."
+
+Anderson watched him intently and Marjorie watched Anderson.
+
+"He may resign for a command in the army. I have heard it said that he
+dislikes his office."
+
+"Would to God he did! Or else go over to the other side."
+
+Anderson's head turned--the least little fraction--so that Marjorie
+could see the flash light up his eyes.
+
+"He could not desert the cause now without becoming a traitor."
+
+A pause followed.
+
+"Men of lofty patriotism often disagree in the manner of political
+action. We have many Loyalists among us."
+
+"Yet they are not patriots."
+
+"No! They are not, viewed from our standpoint. But every colony has a
+different motive in the war. Now that some have obtained their rights,
+they are satisfied with the situation. I don't know but that we would be
+as well off if the present state of affairs were allowed to stand."
+
+"What do the Catholics of the Colonies think?"
+
+This was a bold question, yet he ventured to ask it.
+
+"We would fare as well with England as with some of our own," answered
+Marjorie decisively.
+
+Anderson looked at her for a minute.
+
+"Never!" replied Mr. Allison with emphasis.
+
+"See how Canada fared," insisted Marjorie.
+
+"Tush!"
+
+Anderson listened attentively. Here was a division of opinion within the
+same family; the father intensely loyal, the daughter somewhat inclined
+to analysis. A new light was thrown upon her from this very instant
+which afforded him a very evident satisfaction, a very definite and
+conscious enjoyment as well. To have discovered this mind of apparent
+candor and unaffected breadth was of supreme import to him at this
+critical moment. And he felt assured that he had met with a character of
+more than ordinary self-determination which might, if tuned properly,
+display a capacity for prodigious possibilities, for in human nature he
+well knew the chord of self-interest to be ever responsive to adequate
+and opportune appeal.
+
+Marjorie might unconsciously prove advantageous to him. It was essential
+for the maturing of his plans to obtain Catholic cooperation. She was a
+devout adherent and had been, insofar as he had been able to discover,
+an ardent Whig. True, he had but few occasions to study her,
+nevertheless today had furnished him with an inkling which gave her
+greater breadth in his eyes than he was before conscious of. The remark
+just made might indicate that she favored foreign rule in the interest
+of religious toleration, yet such a declaration was by no means
+decisive. Still he would labor to this end in the hope that she might
+ultimately see her way clear to cooperate with him in his designs.
+
+"We are losing vast numbers through the Alliance," volunteered Anderson.
+
+"I suppose so," admitted Mr. Allison. "Many of the colonists cannot
+endure the thought of begging assistance from a great Roman Catholic
+power. They fear, perhaps, that France will use the opportunity to
+inflict on us the worst form of colonialism and destroy the Protestant
+religion."
+
+"But it isn't the Protestants who are deserting," persisted Anderson.
+"The Catholics are not unmindful of the hostile spirit displayed by the
+colonists in the early days. They, too, are casting different lots."
+
+"Not we. Every one of us is a Whig. Some have faltered, but we do not
+want them."
+
+"And yet the reports from New York seem to indicate that the recruiting
+there is meeting with success."
+
+"The Catholic regiment? I'll wager that it never will exist except on
+paper. There are no Tories, no falterers, no final deserters among the
+American Catholics."
+
+"What efforts are being made in Philadelphia?" asked Marjorie.
+
+"None--that I know of," was the grave reply. "I did hear, however, that
+an opportunity would be given those who are desirous of enlisting in New
+York."
+
+Marjorie sat and watched him.
+
+"I heard Father Farmer was invited to become its chaplain," observed Mr.
+Allison.
+
+"Did he?"
+
+"He did not. He told me himself that he wrote a kind letter with a stern
+refusal."
+
+And so they talked; talked into the best part of an hour, now of the
+city's activities, now of the Governor, now of the success of the
+campaign, until Anderson felt that he had long overstayed his leave.
+
+"I am sorry to leave your company." Then to Marjorie, "At Shippen's
+tomorrow?"
+
+"Yes. Will you come for me? If you won't I daresay I shall meet you
+there."
+
+"Of course I shall come. Please await me."
+
+
+III
+
+That there was a state of pure sensation and of gay existence for
+Marjorie in the presence of this man, she knew very well; and while she
+felt that she did not care for him, nevertheless she was conscious of a
+certain subtle influence about him which she was powerless to define. It
+has been said that not all who know their mind know their own heart; for
+the heart often perceives and reasons in a manner wholly peculiar to
+itself. Marjorie was aware of this and the utmost effort was required of
+her to respond solely to the less alluring promptings of her firm will.
+
+She would allow him to see her again that she might learn more about him
+and his strange origin. Stephen had suggested to her the merest
+suspicion concerning him. There was the possibility that the germ of
+this suspicion might develop,--and in her very presence. The contingency
+was certainly equal to the adventure.
+
+It was not required that she pay a formal call on Peggy. Already had
+that been done, immediately after the announcement of the engagement,
+when she had come to offer congratulations to the prospective bride upon
+her enviable and happy fortune. The note, which again had come into her
+possession upon Stephen's return of it, whose contents were still
+unknown to her, she had restored to Peggy, together with a full
+explanation of its loss and its subsequent discovery. One phase of its
+history, however, she had purposely overlooked. It might have proved
+embarrassing for her to relate how it chanced to fall into the hands of
+Stephen. And inasmuch as he had made no comment upon its return, she was
+satisfied that the incident was unworthy of the mention.
+
+Anderson called promptly on the hour and found her waiting. They left
+the house at once and by mutual agreement walked the entire distance.
+This was preferable, for there was no apparent haste to reach their
+destination, and for the present no greater desire throbbed within them
+than the company of their own selves. For they talked continually of
+themselves and for that reason could never weary of each other's
+company.
+
+The country about them was superb. The fields stood straight in green
+and gold on every side of the silvery road. Beside them as they passed,
+great trees reared themselves aloft from the greensward, which divided
+the road from the footpath, and rustled in the breeze, allowing the
+afternoon sunshine to reveal itself in patches and glimpses; and the air
+between was a sea of subdued light, resonant with the liquid notes of
+the robin and the whistle of the quail, intruders upon the uniform
+tranquillity of the hot Sunday afternoon.
+
+"Does it not strike you that there are but few persons with whom it is
+possible to converse seriously?"
+
+"Seriously?" asked Marjorie. "What do you call seriously?"
+
+"In an intelligent manner, together with perfect ease and attention."
+
+"I suppose that this is true on account of the great want of sincerity
+among men."
+
+"That, as well as the impatient desire we possess of intruding our own
+thoughts upon our hearer with little or no desire of listening to those
+which he himself may want to express."
+
+"We are sincere with no one but ourselves, don't you think? The mere
+fact of the entrance of a second person means that we must try to
+impress him. You have said that prosperity thrives on pretense."
+
+"And I repeat it. But with friends all guile and dissimulation ceases.
+We often praise the merits of our neighbor in the hope that he in turn
+will praise us. Only a few have the humility and the whole-hearted
+simplicity to listen well and to answer well. Sincerity to my mind is
+often a snare to gain the confidence of others."
+
+There was depth to his reasoning, Marjorie thought, which was
+riddle-like as well. It was amazing to her how well he could talk on any
+given topic, naturally, easily, seriously, as the case might be. He
+never seemed to assume the mastery of any conversation, nor to talk with
+an air of authority on any subject, for he was alive to all topics and
+entered into them with the same apparent cleverness and animated
+interest.
+
+He stopped suddenly and exerted a gentle though firm pressure on her
+arm, obliging her to halt her steps. Surprised, she turned and looked at
+him.
+
+"What is it?" she asked.
+
+There was no response. Instead, she looked in the direction of his gaze.
+Then she saw.
+
+A large black snake lay in graceful curves across their path several
+rods ahead. Its head was somewhat elevated and rigid. Before it
+fluttered a small chickadee in a sort of strange, though powerless
+fascination, its wings partly open in a trembling manner, its chirp
+noisy and incessant, its movement rapid and nervous, as it partly
+advanced, partly retreated before its enchanter. Nearer and nearer it
+came, with a great scurrying of the feet and wings, towards the
+motionless head of the serpent. Until Anderson, picking a stone from the
+roadside, threw a well-aimed shot which bounded over the head of the
+snake, causing it to turn immediately and crawl into the recesses of the
+deep underbrush of the adjoining field. The bird, freed from the source
+of its sinister charm, flew out of sight into safety.
+
+"Thank God!" Marjorie breathed. "I was greatly frightened."
+
+"Nothing would have saved that bird," was the reply. "It already was
+powerless."
+
+Marjorie did not answer to this, but became very quiet and pensive. They
+walked on in silence.
+
+Nearing the home of Peggy, they beheld General Arnold seated before them
+on the spacious veranda in the company of his betrothed. Here was
+intrusion with a vengeance, Marjorie thought, but the beaming face and
+the welcoming expression soon dispelled her fears.
+
+"Miss Shippen," Anderson said, as he advanced immediately toward her to
+seize her hand, "allow me to offer my tender though tardy
+congratulations. It was with the greatest joy that I listened to the
+happy announcement."
+
+"You are most kind, Mr. Anderson, and I thank you for it," was the soft
+response.
+
+"And you, General," said Marjorie. "Let me congratulate you upon your
+excellent choice."
+
+"Rather upon my good fortune," the Governor replied with a generous
+smile.
+
+Peggy blushed at the compliment.
+
+"How long before we may be enabled to offer similar greetings to you?"
+he asked of Mr. Anderson, who was assisting Marjorie into a chair by the
+side of Peggy.
+
+"Oh! Love rules his own kingdom and I am an alien."
+
+He drew himself near to the Governor and the conversation turned
+naturally and generally to the delicious evening. The very atmosphere
+thrilled with romance.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+I
+
+Stephen was sitting in his room, his feet crossed on a foot-rest before
+him, his eyes gazing into the side street that opened full before his
+window. He had been reading a number of dispatches and letters piled in
+a small heap in his lap; but little by little had laid them down again
+to allow his mind to run into reflection and study. And so he sat and
+smoked.
+
+
+It seemed incredible that events of prime importance were transpiring in
+the city and that the crisis was so soon upon him. For nearly three
+months he had been accumulating, methodically and deliberately, a chain
+of incriminating evidence around the Military Governor and John
+Anderson, still he was utterly unaware of its amazing scope and
+magnitude. Perfidy was at work all around him and he was powerless to
+interfere; for the intrigue had yet to reach that point where conviction
+could be assured. Nevertheless, he continued to advance step by step
+with the events, and sensed keenly the while, the tension which was
+beginning to exist but which he could not very well point out.
+
+He had kept himself fully informed of the progress of affairs in New
+York, where the recruiting was being accomplished in an undisguised
+manner. The real facts, however, were being adroitly concealed from the
+bulk of the populace. Information of a surprising nature had been
+forwarded to him from time to time in the form of dispatches and
+letters, all of which now lay before him, while a certain Sergeant
+Griffin had already been detailed by him to carry out the more hazardous
+work of espionage in the city of the enemy. The latter was in a fair way
+to report now on the progress of the work and had returned to
+Philadelphia for this very purpose.
+
+Irish Catholics had been found in the British Army at New York, but they
+had been impressed into the service. Sergeant Griffin had spoken to many
+deserters who avowed that they had been brought to the colonies against
+their own will, declaring that they had been "compelled to go on board
+the transports where they were chained down to the ring-bolts and fed
+with bread and water; several of whom suffered this torture before they
+could be made to yield and sign the papers of enlistment." In
+confirmation of this declaration, he had in his lap a letter written to
+General Washington by Arthur Lee, June 15, 1777, which read: "Every man
+of a regiment raised in Ireland last year had to be shipped off tied and
+bound, and most certainly they will desert more than any troops
+whatsoever." To corroborate this claim he had obtained several
+clippings, advertisements that had appeared in the New York newspapers,
+offering rewards for the apprehension of Irish soldiers who had deserted
+to the rebels.
+
+The same methods he learned were now being employed in the recruiting of
+the Catholic regiment. Blackmail had been resorted to with splendid
+results. In several instances enormous debts had been liquidated in
+favor of the recruits. Even commissions in the army of His Majesty had
+been offered as a bounty. There was success, if the few hundred faces in
+the ranks could be reckoned as a fair catch, yet the methods of
+recruiting did not begin to justify the fewness of the numbers.
+
+Just how this idea had taken root, he was at a loss to discover.
+Certainly not from the disloyalty manifested by the Catholic population
+during the war. The exploits of the famous "Congress' Own" Regiments
+might, he thought, have contributed much to the enemy's scheme. It was
+commonly known that two regiments of Catholics from Canada, raised in
+that northern province during the winter of 1775-76, had done valiant
+service against the British. A great number of the Canadian population
+had welcomed the patriots under Generals Schuyler, Montgomery and Arnold
+upon their attempted invasion of the country, and had given much
+assistance towards the success of their operations. Inasmuch as many had
+sought enlistment in the ranks as volunteers, an opportunity was
+furnished them by an act of Congress on January 20, 1776, authorizing
+the formation of two Canadian regiments of soldiers to be known as
+"Congress' Own." The First was organized by Colonel James Livingston;
+the Second by Colonel Moses Hazen. Both of these regiments continued in
+active service for the duration of the war, and both obtained a vote of
+thanks from the American Congress upon its termination.
+
+Herein, then, must lay the germ of the project of the British Regiment
+of Roman Catholic Volunteers.
+
+He sat and considered.
+
+"You tell me, then," he said quietly, "that this is the state of affairs
+in New York."
+
+"Yes, sir," replied the soldier.
+
+There was a further silence.
+
+
+II
+
+The progress of the work in the city of Philadelphia had been less
+evident to him. Certain it was that Anderson was directing his undivided
+attention to the furtherance of the plan, for which task he had been
+admirably endowed by Nature. That Arnold, too, was greatly interested in
+the success of the plot, he already suspected, but in this he had no
+more than a suspicion, for he could not discover the least incriminating
+objective evidence against him. There were several whose names had been
+associated with the work; yet these, too, had revealed nothing, when
+confronted with a direct question. And whatever influence he might have
+had, whatever lurking suspicions he might have accumulated from the
+contributory details, these when simmered down amounted to little or
+nothing. The plan had not progressed to the extent required. There was
+nothing to do but to await further developments.
+
+This man Anderson was ingenuous. The most striking characteristic about
+him, that towards which and in support of which every energy and every
+talent had been schooled and bent, was an intrepid courage. A vast and
+complicated scheme of ambition possessed his whole soul, yet his
+disposition and address generally appeared soft and humane, especially
+when no political object was at stake.
+
+During the four or five months spent in the city, he had made a host of
+friends among all classes of people. His agreeable manner and his
+fluency of speech at once gained for him the confidence even of the most
+phlegmatic. No man was endowed with more engaging qualities for the
+work, if it may be assumed that he was engaged solely in the recruiting
+of a Tory Regiment from among the supporters of the Whigs. Everything
+seemed to declare that he was associated with the work. And because he
+was associated with it, it progressed.
+
+The names of several who had yielded allegiance to the opposite side
+were in the hands of Stephen. The Major of the new regiment was a
+Catholic, John Lynch. So were Lieutenant Eck, Lieutenant Kane, and
+Quartermaster Nowland. These were at present in New York, whither they
+had journeyed soon after the British occupation of the city. Of the
+hundred-odd volunteers, who were supposed to constitute the company,
+little could be learned because of the veil of secrecy which had from
+the very beginning enshrouded the whole movement.
+
+Pressure had been brought to bear on several, it was discovered, with
+the result that there was no alternative left them but to sign the
+papers of enlistment. In this Anderson had been materially aided by the
+Military Governor's intimate knowledge of the fortunes and prospects of
+the bulk of the citizenry. To imply this, however, was one thing; to
+prove it quite another. For whatever strength the accusation might bear
+in his own mind, he could not forget that it was still a mere suspicion,
+which must be endorsed by investigation if the people were to be
+convinced. And Stephen was unprepared to offer the results of his
+investigation to a populace which was too indolent and hasty to
+investigate them as facts and to discriminate nicely between the shades
+of guilt. Anderson was loved and admired by his countrymen and more
+especially by his countrywomen. Everything, it seemed, would be forgiven
+his youth, rank and genius.
+
+Even Marjorie had been captivated by him, it appeared. The relationship
+which was beginning to thrive between them he disliked, and some day he
+would make that known to her. How attentive he had been to her was
+easily recognizable, but to what degree she returned this attention was
+another matter. What she thought of this stranger and to what extent he
+had impressed her, he longed to know, for it was weeks since he had laid
+eyes on her; and the last two attempts made by him to see her had found
+her in the company of Anderson, once at Shippen's, and again on a ride
+through the country. True, he himself had been absent from town for a
+brief time, immediately after his court-martial, when he returned to
+headquarters to file a report with his Commander-in-chief, and the few
+moments spent with her upon his return was the last visit. Undoubtedly
+he was a stranger to her now; she was absorbed with the other man.
+
+Still Stephen wished that he might see her. An insatiable longing filled
+his whole soul, like the eternal cravings of the heart for communion
+with the Infinite. There was certain situations where a man or woman
+must confide in some person to obtain advice or sympathy, or simply to
+unload the soul, and there was no one more becoming to Stephen than this
+girl. She understood him and could alleviate by her sole presence, not
+through any gift properly made, but by that which radiated from her
+alone, the great weight which threatened to overwhelm his whole being.
+Simply to converse with her might constitute the prophecy of a benign
+existence.
+
+He determined to see her that very evening.
+
+
+III
+
+"Marjorie," said Stephen, "of course you've a perfect right to do
+exactly as you like. But, you know, you did ask my opinion; didn't you?"
+
+"I did," said Marjorie, frowning. "But I disagree with you. And I think
+you do him a grave injustice."
+
+
+She had been seated in a large comfortable chair in the middle of the
+side yard when he entered. A ball of black yarn which, with the aid of
+two great needles, she was industriously engaged in converting into an
+article of wearing apparel, lay by her side. Indeed, so engrossed was
+she, that he had opened and closed the gate before her attention was
+aroused. She rose immediately, laying her knitting upon the chair, and
+advanced to meet him.
+
+"I haven't seen you in ages. Where have you been?"
+
+He looked at her.
+
+"Rather let me ask that question," was his query by way of reply.
+"Already twice have I failed to find you."
+
+They walked together to the chairs; she to her own, he to a smaller one
+that stood over against them.
+
+"That you called once, I know. Mother informed me."
+
+"You were similarly engaged on both occasions."
+
+He brought his chair near to her.
+
+"With Mr. Anderson?"
+
+She smiled straight in his face.
+
+"Of course."
+
+He, too, smiled.
+
+"Well!" then after a pause, "do you object?"
+
+He did not answer. His fingers drummed nervously on the arm of his
+chair and he looked far up the road.
+
+"You do not like him?" she asked quickly.
+
+"It would be impossible for me to now tell you. As a matter of fact, I
+myself have been unable to form a definite opinion. I may let you know
+later. Not now."
+
+A deep sigh escaped her.
+
+"I should imagine you could read a man at first sight," she exclaimed.
+
+"I never allowed myself that presumption. Men are best discovered at
+intervals. They are most natural when off their guard. Habit may
+restrain vice, and passion obscures virtue. I prefer to let them alone."
+
+She bit her lip, as her manner was, and continued to observe him. How
+serious he was! The buoyant, tender, blithesome disposition which
+characterized his former self, had yielded to a temper of saturnine
+complexion, a mien of grave and thoughtful composure. He was analytic
+and she began to feel herself a simple compound in the hands of an
+expert chemist.
+
+"I am sorry to have caused you a disappointment."
+
+"Please, let me assure you there is no need of an apology."
+
+"And you were not disappointed?"
+
+A smile began to play about the corners of her small mouth. She tried to
+be humorous.
+
+"Perhaps. But not to the extent of requiring an apology."
+
+"You might have joined us."
+
+"You know better than that."
+
+"I mean it. Peggy would have been pleased to have you."
+
+"Did she say so?"
+
+"No. But I know that she would."
+
+"Alas!" He raised his arm in a slight gesture.
+
+She was knitting now, talking as she did. She paused to raise her eyes.
+
+"I think you dislike Peggy," she said with evident emphasis.
+
+"Why?"
+
+"I scarce know. My instinct, I suppose."
+
+"I distrust her, if that is what you mean?"
+
+"Have you had reason?"
+
+"I cannot answer you now, for which I am very sorry. You will find my
+reasoning correct at some future time, I hope."
+
+"Do you approve of my friendship with her?"
+
+She did not raise her eyes this time, but allowed them to remain fixed
+upon the needles.
+
+"It is not mine to decide. You are mistress of your own destinies."
+
+Her face grew a shade paler, and the look in her eyes deepened.
+
+"I simply asked your advice, that was all."
+
+The words hit so hard that he drew his breath. He realized that he had
+been brusque and through his soul there poured a kind of anger first,
+then wounded pride, then a sense of crushing pain.
+
+"I regret having said that," he tried to explain to her. "But I cannot
+tell you what is in my mind. Since you do ask me, I fear Peggy greatly,
+but I would not say that your friendship with her should cease. Not at
+present, anyhow."
+
+"Well, did you approve of my going there with Mr. Anderson?"
+
+"With him? No."
+
+"Can you tell me the reason?"
+
+And then he explained briefly to her of his reasons for disliking this
+man and of the veil of suspicion and of mystery with which he was
+surrounded. He did not think him a suitable companion for her, and
+wished for her own good that she would see no more of him.
+
+There was no reply to his observations. On the contrary Marjorie lapsed
+into a meditative silence which seemed to grow deeper and deeper as the
+moments passed. Stephen watched her until the suspense became almost
+beyond endurance, wondering what thoughts were coursing through her
+mind.
+
+At length he broke the silence with the words recorded at the beginning
+of the chapter; and Marjorie answered him quietly and deliberately.
+
+She continued with her knitting.
+
+
+IV
+
+A great melancholy fell upon him, if it were indeed possible for him to
+become more dispirited, against which he was powerless to contend. There
+was revealed to him on the instant a seeming predilection on the part of
+Marjorie for this man, Anderson. The longer they conversed, the deeper
+did that conviction grow. This made him careless and petulant. Now a
+feeling of deep regret stole over him because he had been so
+unsympathetic. In presence of her feeling of grief and disappointment,
+his pity was aroused.
+
+"I deeply regret the pain I have caused you," he said to her quietly and
+kindly. "It was altogether rude of me."
+
+She bit her lip violently, tremulously, in an effort to restrain the
+flood of emotion which surged within, which threatened to burst forth
+with the pronunciation of the merest syllable.
+
+She did not reply, but fumbled with the knitted portion of her garment,
+running its edges through her fingers.
+
+"I had no intention of speaking of him as I did," he went on. "I would
+not, did you not ask me."
+
+"I am not offended."
+
+"Your composure reveals to me that you have been hurt."
+
+"I did not mean that you should know it."
+
+"Very likely. But you could not disguise the fact. I shall give you the
+assurance, however, that the subject shall not be a topic for discussion
+by us again. He must not be mentioned."
+
+"Please! I--I----"
+
+"It was solely for yourself that I was concerned. Believe me when I say
+this. Insofar as I myself am concerned, I am wholly disinterested. I
+thought you desired to know and I told you as much as it was possible
+for me to tell. You must ask me no more."
+
+"He has not revealed this side of his character to me and I have been in
+his company on several occasions. Always has he been kind, gentlemanly,
+sincere, upright."
+
+Her eyes were centered full upon him, those large brown eyes that seemed
+to contain her whole being. Whether she was gay or sad, jocose or sober,
+enthusiastic or despondent, the nature of her feelings could be
+communicated solely by her eyes. She need not speak; they spoke for her.
+
+"You are right in believing every man virtuous until he has proved
+himself otherwise," he replied. "There should be one weight and one
+measure. But I regulate my intercourse with men by the opposite
+standard. I distrust every man until he has proved himself worthy, and
+it was that principle which guided me, undoubtedly, in my application of
+it to you."
+
+"Do you consider that upright?"
+
+"Do not misunderstand me. I do not form a rash judgment of every person
+I meet. As a matter of fact I arrive at no judgment at all. I defer
+judgment until after the investigation, and I beware of him until this
+investigation has been completed."
+
+"You are then obliged to live in a world of suspicion."
+
+"No. Rather in a world of security. How often has the knave paraded
+under the banner of innocence! The greatest thieves wear golden chains."
+
+"I could not live after such manner."
+
+She became impatient.
+
+"Were you thrown into daily relation with the world you would soon learn
+the art of discrimination. The trusty sentinel lives a life of
+suspicion."
+
+At length a truce was silently proclaimed. Composure reigned. The
+unpleasant episode had to all appearances been obliterated from their
+minds. There was even a touch of that old humor dancing in her eyes.
+
+"Some one has said," she observed, "that 'suspicion is the poison of
+friendship.'"
+
+"And a Latin proverb runs, 'Be on such terms with your friend as if you
+knew he may one day become your enemy.' Friendship, I realize, is
+precious and gained only after long days of probation. The tough fibers
+of the heart constitute its essence, not the soft texture of favors and
+dreams. We do not possess the friends we imagine, for the world is
+self-centered."
+
+"Have you no friends?"
+
+Now she smiled for the second time, but it was only a smile of humor
+about the corners of her mouth.
+
+"Only those before whom I may be sincere."
+
+He was serious, inclined to analysis, one might say.
+
+"Can you expect to find sincerity in others without yourself being
+sincere?"
+
+"No. But my friend possesses my other soul. I think aloud before him. It
+does not matter. I reveal my heart to him, share my joys, unburden my
+grief. There is a simplicity and a wholesomeness about it all. We are
+mutually sincere."
+
+"Your test is severe."
+
+"But its fruits imperishable."
+
+"I cannot adopt your method," was the deliberate reply as she began to
+gather together her ball and needles.
+
+"Let's leave it at that."
+
+And they left it.
+
+
+V
+
+Long after he had gone she sat there until it was well into the evening,
+until the stars began to blink and nod and wrap themselves in the great
+cloak of the night, as they kept a silent vigil over the subdued silence
+which had settled down upon the vast earth and herself.
+
+The longer she sat and considered, the more melancholy did she become.
+Stephen was displeased with her conduct and made no effort to conceal
+it, inflicting only the greater wound by his ambiguous and incisive
+remarks. His apparent unconcern and indifference of manner frightened
+her, and she saw, or she thought she saw a sudden deprivation of that
+esteem with which she was vain enough to presuppose he was wont to
+regard her. And yet he was mistaken, greatly mistaken. Furthermore, he
+was unfair to himself and unjust to her in the misinterpretation of her
+behavior. His displeasure pained her beyond endurance.
+
+In her relations with John Anderson, she had been genuinely sincere both
+with herself and with Stephen. The latter had asked her to help him; and
+this she was trying to do in her own way. That there was something
+suspicious about Anderson, she knew; but whether the cause lay in his
+manner of action or in the possession of documentary evidence, she could
+not so much as conjecture. What more apt method could be employed than
+to associate with him in the hope that at some time or other important
+information might be imparted to her? She did not intend to play the
+part of the spy; still if that was the role in which she hoped to find
+Anderson, she was ready to assume a similar role for the very purpose of
+outwitting him and defeating him on his own ground. If Stephen would
+only trust her. Oh, dear! And she wrung her hands in abject despair.
+
+Little by little her experiences of the summer just past came before her
+with a vividness which her experience with Stephen served only to
+intensify. First, there was the night of the Governor's Ball. He had
+come into her life there, filling a vacancy not realized before.
+Hitherto, she had been quite content in the company of almost any one,
+and especially with those of the sterner sex. But with the advent of
+this dashing young officer she began to experience a set of new
+sensations. The incompleteness of her life was brought before her.
+
+He seemed to perfect her being, sharing her pleasures, lessening her
+woes, consoling her heart. Still, there was one office that he had
+failed to perform; he was not obsequious. Not that he was ever wanting
+in attention and deferential courtesy, or that he ever failed to betray
+a warmth of feeling or a generous devotion; but his manner was prosaic,
+thoroughly practical both in action and in expression. He spoke his
+thoughts directly and forcibly. He was never enthusiastic, never
+demonstrative, never warm or impulsive, but definite, well-ordered,
+positive. It was quite true that he was capable of bestowing service to
+the point of heroism when the occasion required, but such a quality was
+not spontaneous, because his heart, while intensely sympathetic,
+appeared cold and absolutely opposed to any sort of outburst. He was too
+prudent, too wise, too thoughtful, it seemed, acting only when sure of
+his ground, turning aside from all obstacles liable to irritate or
+confuse him.
+
+Then John Anderson came and initiated her into a newer world. He
+appeared to worship her, and tried to make her feel his devotion in his
+every act. He was gallant, dignified, charming, lavishing attention upon
+her to the point of prodigality. He said things which were pleasant to
+hear, and equally as pleasant to remember. What girl would not be
+attracted by such engaging personal qualities; but Marjorie decided that
+he was too much of the Prince Charming whose gentle arts proved to be
+his sole weapons for the major encounters of life.
+
+Hence she was not fascinated by his soft accomplishments. He interested
+her, but she readily perceived that there was not in him that real
+depth which she had found in Stephen. True, he made her feel more like a
+superior being than as a mere equal; he yielded ever to her slightest
+whim, and did not discomfort her with weighty arguments. But her acumen
+was such that she was enabled to penetrate the gloss and appraise the
+man at his true value. The years spent at her mother's knee, the
+numberless hours in her father's shop where she came in contact with
+many men, her own temperament, prudent by nature, enabled her to
+perceive at a glance the contrast between a man of great and noble heart
+clothed in severe garments, and the charlatan garbed in the bright
+finery of festal dress.
+
+And now the boomerang against which she was defending herself struck her
+from a most unexpected angle. That Stephen should misunderstand her
+motives was preposterous; yet there was no other inference to be drawn
+from the tone of his conversation during the few distressful minutes of
+his last visit. In all probability, he had gone away laboring under the
+hateful impression that she was untrue, that she had permitted her heart
+to be taken captive by the first knight errant who had entered the
+lists. And what was more, the subject would never again be alluded to.
+He had promised that; and she knew that he was absolute in his
+determinations. His groundless displeasure disconcerted her greatly.
+
+Whether it became her to take the initiative in the healing of the
+breach which she felt growing wide between them, or simply to await the
+development of the course of action she had chosen to pursue, now became
+a problem to her perplexed mind. So much depended upon the view he would
+take of the whole situation that it was necessary for him to understand
+from the very beginning. She would write him. But, no! That might be
+premature. She would wait and tell him, so great was her assurance that
+all would be well. She would tell him of her great and impassionate
+desire to be of assistance to him; she would put into words her analysis
+of this man's character, this man about whom he himself had first cast
+the veil of suspicion; she would relate her experience with him. She
+smiled to herself as she contemplated how pleased he would be once the
+frown of bewilderment had disappeared from his countenance.
+
+"Marjorie! Dost know the hour is late?"
+
+"Yes, Mother! I am coming directly."
+
+It was late, though she scarce knew it. Gathering her things, she
+brought the chairs into the house.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+I
+
+Week after week sped by, summer ripened into fall, and fall faded into
+winter. All was monotony: the bleak winter season, the shorter days, the
+longer evenings, the city settling down into a period of seclusion and
+social inaction. There would be little of gayety this year. No foreign
+visitors would be entertained by the townsfolk. There would be no
+Mischienza to look forward to. It would be a lonely winter for the
+fashionable element, with no solemn functions, with no weekly dancing
+assemblies, with no amateur theatricals to rehearse. Indeed were it not
+for the approaching marriage of Peggy Shippen to the Military Governor,
+Philadelphia would languish for want of zest and excitement.
+
+The wedding took place at the home of the bride on Fourth Street. The
+elite of the city, for the most part Tories, were in attendance. Mrs.
+Anne Willing Morris, Mrs. Bingham--all the leaders were there. So were
+Marjorie, John Anderson, Stephen, the Chews and Miss Franks from New
+York. The reception was brilliant, eclipsing anything of its kind in the
+history of the social life of the city, for Mrs. Shippen had vowed that
+the affair would establish her definitely and for all time the leader of
+the fashionable set of the town.
+
+The center of attraction was of course Peggy; and she carried herself
+well, enduring the trying ordeal with grace and composure. And if one
+were to judge by the number and the quality of the gifts which loaded
+down one whole room, or by the throng which filled the house to
+overflowing, or by the motley crowd which surged without, impatient for
+one last look at the bride as she stepped into the splendid coach, a
+more popular couple was never united in matrimony. It was a great day
+for all concerned, and none was more happy nor more radiant than Peggy
+as she sat back in the coach and looked into the face of her husband and
+sighed with that contentment and complacency which one experiences in
+the possession of a priceless gem.
+
+Their homecoming, after the brief honeymoon, was delightful. No longer
+would they live in the great slate roof house on Second Street at the
+corner of Norris Alley, but in the more elegant old country seat in
+Fairmount, on the Schuylkill,--Mount Pleasant. Since Arnold had
+purchased this great estate and settled it immediately upon his bride,
+subject of course to the mortgage, its furnishings and its appointments
+were of her own choice and taste.
+
+It rose majestically before them on a bluff overlooking the river, a
+courtly pile of colonial Georgian architecture whose balustraded and
+hipped roof seemed to rear itself above the neighboring woodland, so as
+to command a magnificent broad view of the Schuylkill River and valley
+for miles around.
+
+"There! See, General! Isn't it heavenly?"
+
+She could not conceal her joy. Arnold looked and smiled graciously with
+evident satisfaction at the quiet homelike aspect of the place.
+
+Peggy was on the stone landing almost as soon as she emerged from the
+coach,--eager to peep inside, anxious to sit at last in her own home.
+Although she had already seen all that there was to see, and had spent
+many days previous to the marriage in arranging and planning the
+interior so as to have all in readiness for their return on this day,
+still she seemed to manifest a newer and a livelier joy, so pleasant and
+so perfect did all appeal.
+
+"Oh, General! Isn't this just delicious?" And she threw her arms around
+his neck to give him a generous hug.
+
+"Are you happy now?" he questioned.
+
+"Perfectly. Come let us sit and enjoy it."
+
+She went to the big chair and began to rock energetically; but only for
+a minute, for she spied in the corner of the room the great sofa, and
+with a sudden movement threw herself on that. She was like a small boy
+with a host of toys about him, anxious to play with all at the same
+time, and trying to give to each the same undivided attention. The
+massive candelabra on the table attracted her, so she turned her
+attention to that, fixing one of its candles as she neared it. Finally,
+a small water color of her father, which hung on the wall a little to
+one side, appealed to her as needing adjustment. She paused to regard
+the profile as she straightened it.
+
+The General observed her from the large chair into which he had flung
+himself to rest after the journey, following her with his eyes as she
+flitted about the great drawing-room. For the moment there was no object
+in that space to determine the angle of his vision, save Peggy, no other
+objective reality to convey any trace of an image to his imagination but
+that of his wife. She was the center, the sum-total of all his thoughts,
+the vivid and appreciable good that regulated his emotions, that
+controlled his impulses. And the confident assurance that she was
+happy, reflected from her very countenance, emphasized by her every
+gesture as she hurried here and there about the room in joyous
+contemplation of the divers objects that delighted her fancy, reanimated
+him with a rapture of ecstasy which he thought for the moment impossible
+to corporeal beings. The mere pleasure of beholding her supremely happy
+was for him a source of whole-souled bliss, illimitable and ineffable.
+
+"Would you care to dine now?" she asked of him as she approached his
+chair and leaned for support on its arms. "I'll ask Cynthia to make
+ready."
+
+"Yes, if you will. That last stage of the trip was exhausting."
+
+And so these two with all the world in their possession, in each other's
+company, partook of their first meal together in their own dining-room,
+in their own private home.
+
+
+II
+
+"'Thou hast it now,--king, Cawdor, Glamis, all----'" remarked Arnold to
+his wife as they made their way from the dining-room into the spacious
+hallway that ran through the house.
+
+"Yet it was not foully played," replied Peggy. "The tourney was fair."
+
+"I had thought of losing you."
+
+"Did you but read my heart aright at our first meeting, you might have
+consoled yourself otherwise."
+
+"It was the fear of my letter; the apprehension of its producing a
+contrary effect that furnished my misgiving. I trembled over the consent
+of your parents."
+
+"Dost know, too, that my mother favored the match from the start? In
+truth she gave me every encouragement, perhaps awakened my soul to the
+flame."
+
+"No matter. We are in the morning of our bliss; its sun is about to
+remain fixed. Wish for a cloudless sky."
+
+They were now in the great drawing-room which ran the full depth of the
+building, with windows looking both east and west. In the middle of the
+great side wall lodged a full-throated fireplace above which rose
+imposingly an elaborately wrought overmantel, whose central panel was
+devoid of any ornamentation. The door frames with their heavily molded
+pediments, the cornices, pilasters, doortrims and woodwork rich in
+elaboration of detail were all distinctive Georgian, tempered, however,
+with much dignified restraint and consummate good taste.
+
+"We can thank the privateer for this. Still it was a fair profit and
+wisely expended, wiser to my mind than the methods of Robert Morris. At
+any rate it is the more satisfactory."
+
+"He has made excellent profits."
+
+"Nevertheless, he has lost as many as an hundred and fifty vessels.
+These have affected his earnings greatly. Were he not so generous to an
+ungrateful people, a great part of his loss might now have been
+retrieved."
+
+"I have heard it said, too, that he alone has provided the sinews of the
+revolt," said Peggy.
+
+"Unquestionably. On one occasion, at a time of great want, I remember
+one of his vessels arrived with a cargo of stores and clothing, whose
+whole contents were given to Washington without any remuneration
+whatsoever. And you, yourself, remember that during the winter at Valley
+Forge, just about the time Howe was evacuating the city, when there
+were no cartridges in the army but those in the men's boxes, it was he
+who rose to the emergency by giving all the lead ballast of his favorite
+privateer. He has made money, but he has lost a vast amount. I made
+money, too, just before I bought this house. And I have lost money."
+
+"And have been cheated of more."
+
+"Yes. Cheated. More generosity from my people! I paid the sailors their
+share of the prize money of the British sloop that they as members of
+the crew had captured, that is, with the help of two other privateers
+which came to their assistance. The court allowed the claims of the
+rival vessels but denied mine. I had counted upon that money but found
+myself suddenly deprived of it. Now they are charging me with having
+illegally bought up the lawsuit."
+
+He was seated now and lay back in his chair with his disabled limb
+propped upon a stool before him.
+
+"They continue to say horrid things about you. I wish you were done with
+them," Peggy remarked.
+
+He removed his finely powdered periwig and ran his heavy fingers through
+his dark hair.
+
+"I treat such aspersions with the contempt their pettiness deserves. I
+am still Military Governor of Philadelphia and as such am beholden to no
+one save Washington. The people have given me nothing and I have nothing
+to return save bitter memories."
+
+"I wish we were away from here!" she sighed.
+
+"Margaret!" He never called her Peggy. He disliked it. "Are you not
+happy in this home which I have provided for you?"
+
+His eyes opened full.
+
+"It isn't that," she replied, "I am afraid of Reed."
+
+"Reed? He is powerless. He is president of the City Council which under
+English law is, in time of peace, the superior governing body of the
+people. But this is war, and he must take second place. I despise him."
+
+Peggy looked up inquiringly.
+
+"Suppose that the worst should happen?" she said.
+
+"But--how--what can happen?" he repeated.
+
+"Some great calamity."
+
+"How--what do you mean?" he asked.
+
+"If you should be removed, say, or transferred to some less important
+post?"
+
+A thought flashed into his mind.
+
+"Further humiliated?"
+
+"Yes. What then?"
+
+"Why,--I don't know. I had thought of no possible contingency. I wished
+for a command in the Navy and wrote to Washington to that effect; but
+nothing came of it. I suppose my increasing interest in domestic affairs
+in the city, as well as my attentions to you, caused me to discontinue
+the application. Then again, I thought I was fitted for the kind of life
+led by my friend Schuyler in New York and had hoped to obtain a grant of
+land in the West where I might lead a retired life as a good citizen."
+
+"I would die in such a place. The Indians would massacre us. Imagine me
+hunting buffalo in Ohio!"
+
+Her face wore a sardonic smile. It was plain to be seen that she was in
+a flippant mood.
+
+"Have you given the matter a thought? Tell me," he questioned.
+
+"No! I could not begin to think."
+
+"Are you not happy?"
+
+"Happiness springs not from a large fortune, and is often obtained when
+often unexpected. It is neither within us nor without us and only
+evident to us by the deliverance from evil."
+
+He glanced sharply. There was fire in his eye.
+
+"I know of what you are thinking. You are disturbed by these persistent
+rumors about me."
+
+She gave a little laugh, a chuckle, in a hopeless manner.
+
+"Yes, I am. Go on." She answered mechanically and fell back in her
+chair.
+
+"You need not be disturbed. They are groundless, I tell you. Simply
+engendered by spite. And I blame partly the Papist Whigs. Damn 'em."
+
+"It isn't that alone."
+
+"That is some of it. The origin of the hostility to me was the closing
+of the shops for a week under an order direct from Washington himself,
+and a resolution of the Congress. Yet I was blamed. The next incident
+pounced upon by them was my use of the government wagons in moving
+stores. As you know I had this done to revictual and supply the army.
+But I permitted the empty wagons to bring back stores from the direction
+of New York and was charged with being in communication with the enemy."
+
+"Which would be more praiseworthy."
+
+He paid no attention to her remark but continued:
+
+"I was honest in supposing the goods to be bonafide household goods
+belonging to non-combatants. As a matter of fact some of the decorations
+at our wedding were obtained in this manner. What followed? A public
+complaint."
+
+"I know."
+
+"Then that scheming interloper Matlack! You know of him?"
+
+"I think so."
+
+"You've heard of his father, of course!"
+
+"No."
+
+"The Secretary to Reed, the President of the Council? Timothy Matlack?
+His social aspirations were somewhat curtailed by my interest in public
+affairs. He has borne me in mind and evidently intends my ruin."
+
+"In that he differs not from many other so-called friends."
+
+"I did all in my power to soothe his ruffled feelings in a long,
+considerate letter in answer to his note of grievance. Only later I
+learned that it was his son whose haughty nature had been offended."
+
+"You were no party to the offense. In fact you knew naught of it until
+the episode had been concluded."
+
+"True, but Franks had taken part in it, and Franks was my head
+aide-de-camp. It was trivial. He wanted a barber and sent young Matlack
+who was doing sentry duty at the door to fetch one. Naturally I defended
+his action in my letter of reply."
+
+"I tell you, they do not want you here. Can't you sense that? Else these
+charges would never have been uttered. They are mere pretexts. They are
+weary of you and desire your resignation."
+
+She talked rapidly, violently. Her face assumed a stern expression.
+
+He did not reply but peered into the distance.
+
+"The 'American Fabius', I suppose, is still watching General Clinton,"
+Peggy continued.
+
+"He has thrown a cordon about him at New York. With a sufficient force
+he might take him."
+
+"Never! The Americans never were a match for His Majesty's well-trained
+troops. The longer the struggle endures the sooner this will be
+learned."
+
+"Time is with us, dear. The mother country knows this."
+
+She looked at him. It was astonishing to her that he could be so
+transparent and so unaware of it. Really he was not clever.
+
+"Why do you say that?" she asked. "Every day our lot grows worse. The
+troops perish from misery; they are badly armed; scarcely clothed; they
+need bread and many of them are without arms. Our lands lie fallow. The
+education of a generation has been neglected, a loss that can never be
+repaired. Our youths have been dragged by the thousands from their
+occupations and harvested by the war; and those who return have lost
+their vigor or have been mutilated for life."
+
+"You are partly right," he mused. "America lost the opportunity for
+reconciliation immediately after my victory at Saratoga. Since then, as
+you say, the land has become a waste of widows, beggars and orphans.
+Then came the French Alliance, a sacrifice of the great interests, as
+well as the religion of this country to the biased views of a proud,
+ancient, crafty and priest-ridden nation. I always thought this a
+defensive war until the French joined in the combination. Now I look
+with disfavor upon this peril to our dominion, this enemy of our faith."
+
+Peggy became interested immediately. She sat straight up in her chair.
+
+"You never spoke these thoughts to me before!" she exclaimed.
+
+"I feared it. You are a Tory, at least at heart. And I knew that you
+would only encourage me in my manner of thought. God knows, I am unable
+to decide between my perplexities."
+
+"You know how General Monk decided?"
+
+"My God! He was a traitor!"
+
+"He restored Charles," insisted Peggy.
+
+"And sold his soul."
+
+"For the Duchy of Albemarle."
+
+"Good God! girl, don't talk thoughts like that, I--I---- He has endured
+universal execration. It was an act of perfidy." He scowled fiercely. He
+was in a rage.
+
+Peggy smiled. She did not press the subject, but allowed it to drop.
+
+"My! How dark it has become!" she exclaimed.
+
+She struck a light and touched the wicks of the candles.
+
+
+III
+
+Dizzy was the eminence to which General Arnold and his girl bride
+ascended! On a sudden they found themselves on the highest pinnacle--the
+one of military fame--with Gates, Lee, Wayne, Greene and many other
+distinguished generals at their feet, the other of social prestige the
+observed of all observers! For a time Arnold's caprices had been looked
+upon as only the flash and outbreak of that fiery mind which had
+directed his military genius. He attacked religion; yet in religious
+circles his name was mentioned with fondness. He lampooned Congress; yet
+he was condoned by the Whigs.
+
+Then came the reaction. Society flew into a rage with its idol. He had
+been worshiped with an irrational idolatry. He was censured with an
+irrational fury. In the first place the position in which he was placed
+as Military Governor required the exercise of the utmost patience and
+tact. Neither of these qualities did he possess. The order to close the
+shops caused discontent. People became incensed at the sight of a
+dictator interfering with their private life. There was thrust upon them
+in his person the very type that they were striving to expel. His manner
+of action suddenly became obnoxious.
+
+What was merely criticism in respect to his public life, became a
+violent passion respecting the affairs of his private life. There were
+many rumors of his intercourse with the Tory element. Brilliant
+functions were arranged, it was said, with the sole view of gaining
+their friendship and good will. He spent the major portion of his free
+time in their company, nay more, he had taken to wife the most notorious
+of their number. Small wonder was it that his sentiments on the question
+of the war were undergoing a marked alteration. The thirst of the
+political Whigs for vengeance was insatiable.
+
+Then he had repaired to a mansion, the most elegant seat in
+Pennsylvania, where he entertained in a style and after a manner far in
+excess of his means. A coach and four he maintained with the greatest
+ostentation. His livery and appointments were extravagant and wholly
+unbecoming an officer of a country so poor and struggling. He drove to
+town in the company of his wife and paid every attention to the
+aristocratic leaders of the city. He disdained the lot of the common
+citizen. Even his head aide-de-camp had submitted a free man to the
+indignity of fetching a barber to shave him, an act countenanced by the
+General himself in a letter of reply to the boy's father.
+
+His entertainments were frequent, altogether too frequent for the
+conservative instincts of the community. Upon the arrival of the French
+Ambassador M. Gerard, a grand banquet was tendered him, after which he
+was entertained with his entire suite for several days at Mount
+Pleasant. Foreigners were seldom absent from the mansion and members of
+Congress, the relatives of his wife, the titled gentry of Europe were
+treated with marked and lavish attention. The visit of General
+Washington was an event memorable for its display and magnificence, the
+ball alone at the City Tavern entailing a vast expenditure. With Madeira
+selling at eight hundred pounds a pipe and other things in proportion to
+the depreciation of the paper currency, the wonder was often expressed
+as to the source of so much munificence.
+
+It was known that General Arnold was not a man of wealth. Whatever
+fortune he had amassed had been obtained mainly through the profits
+accrued from his privateering ventures. The great estate which he now
+possessed, had been bought only a few months previous to his marriage
+out of the profits of one of his vessels, just then returning to port.
+He was continually in debt, and ruin was imminent. Yet he was living at
+the rate of five thousand pounds a year. Whence then came the funds?
+
+He had married a Tory wife, and presently it was discovered that among
+his bosom friends, his table companions, were to be found the enemies of
+America. Rumors began to whisper with nods and shrugs and shakings of
+the head that his wife was imparting profitable information to the
+enemy, and betimes the question was raised as to who was profiting most.
+What was more natural than that she who had been the toasted and lauded
+favorite of the British Officers when they were in possession of the
+city, should now be in communication with them in far-away New York!
+The seeds of suspicion and ill-will were sedulously sown--and the yield
+was bound to be luxuriant.
+
+So the days rolled into weeks, and the weeks clustered into months, and
+the months fell into the procession of the seasons, and in the meantime,
+Arnold and his wife passed their time in conjugal felicity and regal
+splendor. Their affection was constant, tender and uninterrupted; and
+this alone afforded him consolation and happiness; for his countrymen
+were in a bad mood with him. His wife, his home, his estate now defined
+the extent of his ambition. The world had turned against him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+I
+
+A busier man in the city of Philadelphia during the winter and spring
+season of '78 than John Anderson, would have been hard to find. For
+weeks he had applied himself with relentless energy to the work before
+him; for months he had deprived himself of the customary rounds of
+pleasure in the interests of the seemingly gigantic task allotted to
+him; until at length, for the first time, he was enabled to appreciate
+to some degree the results of his toil. It was now past Easter-tide and
+the moments were hurrying faster and faster in their haste towards the
+culmination of the conspiracy that was forming little by little in the
+heart of the community like an abscess in the body of a sick man.
+
+Progress had been made at New York although it was acknowledged that the
+recruiting there had fallen far short of all expectations. Still it was
+a much simpler matter to effect the formation of such a regiment where
+the work could be carried on openly and under the protection of General
+Clinton; and where no sympathizer of the colonists, however loyal, would
+dare to enter a formal protest against the proceedings. It is quite true
+that Catholics were divided there as elsewhere; for not every one lent
+his spontaneous, complete, and energetic adhesion to the cause of
+American independence. And who would dare condemn their restraint; when
+the memory of the intolerable and bitter practices of the early
+patriots was recalled? They could not forget; and what was more, many
+did not want to forget.
+
+It was found impossible to gather in the city, now held by the enemy, a
+thousand or more men sufficient to compose a regiment. Hence it was
+necessary to draw from the neighboring colonies. Anderson had come to
+Philadelphia with this object in view and, as an aid to his work, had
+established himself immediately in the graces of the military
+authorities. Quietly, privately, secretly, he pursued his quest, seeking
+out likely individuals whom he impressed into the service of His Majesty
+with not so much as a scruple as to means, fair or foul. Blackmail he
+employed freely and the pressure of unpaid debts reaped for him a
+harvest of names.
+
+The currency was then worthless and the cost of living enormous. He was
+the odd individual who could boast of being free from debt, and the
+common jail and the stocks in the market place at Second and High
+Streets were tireless in meting out their punishments to the delinquent
+debtors. Anderson took royal advantage of this state of affairs, either
+by resolving the debt in favor of an enlistment in the company or by
+effecting a threatened punishment on the part of the creditor unless his
+wishes were complied with. Many recruits who otherwise would have
+rejected flatly the base proposition, were secured by such means.
+
+At length he had registered about an hundred names, drawn from all
+classes of the city. The services of Father Farmer had been sought as
+chaplain, but this worthy servant of God gently but firmly declined
+because of the weight of age and "several other reasons." Colonel
+Clifton was still in charge of the regiment but the other officers were
+to be Roman Catholics and appointed by the colonels. A meeting for the
+purpose of organization would be held in the Provincial Hall in the
+course of a few weeks. Then the company would be shipped as soon as
+possible to New York for incorporation in the regiment there.
+
+Anderson found General Arnold a ready and effective instrument in the
+perfection of the plot. Not only had the latter supplied him with all
+manner of information, but his authority had been employed on more than
+one occasion in the matter of impressment. Whatever motives actuated the
+General were ascribed by Anderson solely to his profound dislike of
+Catholics and all things Catholic. A further incentive to the success of
+the project was furnished by the issuance of a pass by the Military
+Governor enabling a vessel to leave the port of Philadelphia, where it
+had been tied up, for New York, for the purpose of transporting to that
+city the members of the recruited company. This was, of course, a
+violation of the military code, but the affair was done so secretly that
+it was known only to Anderson and the Governor. The remote preparations
+were now completed. All was in readiness for the meeting of the
+so-called volunteers.
+
+Meanwhile, Marjorie had continued to be an object of interest to the
+busy Anderson, and he had paid attention to her with a marked gallantry.
+Through the late winter and early spring he had been a frequent visitor
+at her home and had often escorted her in public to the theater and
+dancing assemblies. He flattered himself that her confidence had early
+been gained and much information helpful to his scheme had been
+obtained. He had played his part well, although on one occasion, he had
+almost revealed himself; nevertheless he was completely satisfied that
+she not for a moment suspected the real purpose of his designs.
+
+Now he felt obliged to hold one more conference with the Military
+Governor, for it was required that he know definitely the time set for
+the vessel's departure. That was the sole obstacle to his plans, for the
+date of the assembly depended upon the day of the sailing of the
+transport. Arnold would know of its readiness; its clearance was then a
+matter of personal convenience.
+
+And so, this fine afternoon in early May, he resolved to direct his
+steps in the direction of Mount Pleasant where he would complete his
+plans. It was a long walk but less attention would be aroused by his
+going afoot, and so he started early. Little did he suspect, however,
+that his every move was being observed and that a pair of eyes had
+pursued him to the very park, watching him even as he ascended the great
+stone steps of the mansion.
+
+He lifted the brass knocker and gave two or three slight taps, and even
+as he did so the blue eyes continued to observe him.
+
+
+II
+
+The dining-hall at Mount Pleasant was such as was befitting the noble
+proportions of the mansion. It adjoined the hall in opposition to the
+great drawing-room, its eastern side terminating in an ell extension
+from the hall proper where a wide easy staircase with a balustrade of
+gracefully turned spindles ascended to the second floor. It was lighted,
+not only by the fire that burned in the reredos at the northern wall,
+but also by eight cresset-lamps and as many candles set in huge silver
+candelabra on the center table.
+
+Anderson was hungry from his long walk and ate well. A great roast
+goose reposing in a huge silver platter was brought in by the servants
+and set before them. There were vegetables of every sort, jellies,
+sweetmeats, floating islands, and a dessert of fruits, raisins and
+almonds. Madeira was drunk freely by all without any apparent
+disadvantage.
+
+"And how were all at home?" asked Peggy when they were seated. The
+conversation was on general topics--for the servants were coming in and
+out with the food.
+
+"I saw only your sister when I called with Marjorie. Mr. Shippen was
+away and Mrs. Shippen had a cold, a very slight one I believe."
+
+"She is susceptible to asthmatic attacks," observed the General.
+
+"Quite!" replied Anderson.
+
+"She bears up remarkably. I think she has never missed a function."
+
+"Her will-power alone," replied Peggy. "She can surmount obstacles; she
+has never lost an opportunity."
+
+They lapsed into silence, occupying themselves with the delicious
+repast. Sometimes they talked of this, that and the other quite freely
+and easily--of the society news, of the presence of Miss Franks at the
+wedding, of the splendor of it all. Indeed, there was nothing to
+indicate more than a company of old-time friends.
+
+"I am ready to take my charges along with me," announced Anderson at
+length.
+
+"Hush! Not so loud," cautioned Arnold. "Later,--in the park, we shall
+treat of that."
+
+Then the servants came again and removed the dishes. After another
+goblet of Madeira they left the table, going immediately out of doors,
+for it was now dusk.
+
+"I can do no more with the recruiting. I have in round numbers, an
+hundred," Anderson began when they had been seated in the cypress walk.
+The moon was not yet half way to the zenith and lay a dull copper color
+in the eastern sky, partially eclipsed by the chimney of the great
+house. A solemn silence, terrifying and rife with mysterious sensations,
+seemed to pervade the place. It was a setting well fitted to shroud deep
+and dark designs. No one would dare to venture near.
+
+"You have done well. Egad! I know of none who could have done better."
+
+"Yet it was no easy task, I assure you. They thrill with the very spirit
+of rebellion. Cadwalader will never forgive me, and will haunt me when
+he dies."
+
+"You got him?" Arnold asked.
+
+"I did. But I had to take proceedings against him which portended the
+stocks. I promised him a wheelbarrow to be pushed every day in the
+resolution of his debt. Only when I had the jailer at hand did he
+reconsider. The debt has been paid, and he has already signed."
+
+"I am glad you got him. He's a Papist, isn't he?" inquired Peggy.
+
+"He is, and a staunch one at that," replied her husband.
+
+"Let's get down to business," interrupted Anderson. "How soon may your
+vessel sail?"
+
+"This week, or the early part of next," replied Arnold. "I drew the pass
+three weeks ago. With the time for clearance and sailing allowed, she
+should be ready now. You had better make an allowance of a week."
+
+"How about the crew?"
+
+"They can be depended upon. They are beholden to her owner. Have no
+fears concerning them."
+
+"How soon may she clear?"
+
+He was persistent in this.
+
+"In a few days. Tomorrow if pressed."
+
+"I want to get through with this business as soon as I can and get out
+of this town. It may get too hot for me. If I had that meeting off my
+mind and the men on board bound for New York I would enjoy greater
+repose."
+
+"I thought you were never apprehensive," remarked Peggy. "With your
+composure and gallantry the world would judge that cares set lightly
+upon your head."
+
+"Happy is he who can abandon everything with which his conscience is
+burdened. I have enjoyed no peace of soul for years and I see an
+untimely end."
+
+"Be not so melancholy," observed Arnold. "My boy, the future and the
+world lie before you."
+
+"Like a yawning abyss," was the grave reply.
+
+"Oh! spare us your terrible verdicts," cried Peggy with a smile.
+
+"I believe that I should have crushed with my scorn the philosopher who
+first uttered this terrible but profoundly true thought," said Anderson.
+"'Prudence is the first thing to forsake the wretched!'"
+
+"Have you been imprudent?" she asked.
+
+"I did find a charm in my escapades. At first I tingled with fear, but I
+gradually laid aside that cloak of suspicion which guards safety, and
+stalked about naked. A despicable contempt arises from an unreserved
+intimacy. We grow bolder with our efforts."
+
+"What is success?" asked Peggy.
+
+Their mood was heavy; their tone morose. A sadness had settled upon them
+like the blanket of the night. Only the moon climbing into the heavens
+radiated glory.
+
+"Come! Away with those dismal topics!" exclaimed the General. "This is
+the time for rejoicing."
+
+"Can you rejoice?" inquired the visitor.
+
+"I, too, should be happy, but I fear, alas, I am not. My people give me
+no peace."
+
+"Why not render your country a lasting service?"
+
+"How?"
+
+"By performing a heroic deed that will once for all put an end to this
+unseemly conflict."
+
+"Never! I have been shattered twice for my efforts. I am done with
+active field duty."
+
+"I do not think of that," Anderson assured him.
+
+"Of what, then?"
+
+"You know that the mother country had already offered conciliation. The
+colonies shall have an American Parliament composed of two chambers; all
+the members to be Americans by birth, and those of the upper chamber to
+have the same title, the same rank, as those of the House of Lords in
+England."
+
+"What? A Marquis of Pennsylvania, a Duke of Massachusetts Bay?" he
+laughed aloud at this.
+
+"No less fitting than the Duke of Albemarle."
+
+"Why do you mention him?" Arnold inquired immediately. A thought flashed
+before his mind. Had Peggy and this man conversed on that point?
+
+"He simply came into my mind. Why?"
+
+"Oh! Nothing. Continue."
+
+"As I was saying, all laws, and especially tax laws, shall be the work
+of this legislature, with the signature of the Viceroy. They shall
+enjoy in every relation the advantage of the best government. They
+shall, if necessary, be supported by all the naval and military force of
+England, without being exposed to the dangers or subjected to the taxes
+from which such a military state is inseparable."
+
+"But how? What can I do that I have not already done?"
+
+"You have the courage, you have the ingenuity to render that important
+service. Why allow your countrymen to shed more blood when the enemy is
+willing to grant all you are fighting for? You can save them from
+anarchy. You can save them from the factions of Congress."
+
+"God knows how ardently I desire such a consummation," breathed the
+Governor.
+
+"I am confident that he would perform any act, however heroic or signal,
+to benefit the cause of his country," remarked Peggy with deliberate
+emphasis.
+
+"Name it. What shall I do?" he asked.
+
+"Act the part of General Monk in history," announced Anderson.
+
+Arnold recoiled. He could not believe his ears. Then the awful truth
+dawned upon him.
+
+"Is this your work?" he turned to Peggy fiercely.
+
+"On my honor, I never thought of it." His wife was frightened at his
+sudden change of manner.
+
+There was silence. The trio sat in thought, one awaiting the other to
+speak the first word.
+
+"Never," blurted Arnold. "Never, so long as I wear this uniform."
+
+"And yet the world resounds with his praises, for he performed a
+disinterested and humane act."
+
+"A treacherous and cowardly act!"
+
+"Listen, I shall confide in you. If you would but exert your influence
+in favor of an amicable adjustment of the difficulties between the
+colonies and the mother country, you might command ten thousand guineas
+and the best post in the service of the government."
+
+"Would that mean a peerage?" asked Peggy suddenly.
+
+"Assuredly," was the reply.
+
+She stood up and strutted in a pompous and stately manner before them;
+then she turned and courtesied before her husband.
+
+"Your Grace, the carriage waits without. The Duchess is already in
+waiting," she announced with a sweeping gesture.
+
+He scowled at her but did not answer.
+
+"Clive saved the British Empire in India and you can save the colonies,"
+insisted Anderson.
+
+"Would not a proud position at court, the comfortable income of a royal
+estate, the possession of a peerage on home soil more than reward a man
+as was the case with General Monk?" challenged Peggy, with a flash of
+sudden anger.
+
+"And leave my country in its hour of need," he finished the sentence for
+her.
+
+"Your country!" she taunted. "What has your country done for you? The
+empty honors you have gained were wrung from her. The battle scars you
+bear with you were treated with ingratitude. You were deprived of your
+due honors of command. Even now you are attacked and hounded from every
+angle. Your country! Pooh! A scornful mistress!"
+
+She sat down and folded her arms, looking fiercely into the dark.
+
+It is strange how human nature could be touched by so small affairs.
+The war of continents meant very little to her imagination. Certainly
+the parallel was not perfect; but it seemed to her to fit.
+
+He looked around slowly.
+
+"You took me for what I am," he said to her. "I gave you prestige,
+wealth, happiness. But I have promised my life to my country if she
+requires it and I shall never withdraw that promise while I live. Better
+the grave of the meanest citizen than the mausoleum of a traitor."
+
+"But think of your country!" insisted Anderson.
+
+"Anderson," was the reply, "I know the needs of the country and I know
+deeply my own grievances. Suppose I yield to your suggestions and
+Britain fails,"--he paused as if to measure the consequences. "I shall
+be doomed. I shall be called a bigot. My children will hate me."
+
+He seemed to waver. His earlier enthusiasm apparently diminished before
+their attack.
+
+"But," continued Anderson, "with your aid Britain cannot fail. And
+remember how England rewards those who render her great and signal
+services. Look at the majestic column at Blenheim Palace reared to the
+memory of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough. Contrast with it what
+Peggy has just said, the ingratitude, the injustice, the meanness, with
+which Congress has treated you."
+
+"Must the end justify the means?" he mused. "Can you continue to urge me
+to duplicate the treachery of Churchill, who can never be forgiven for
+his treason? Whatever else he may have achieved, you must remember he
+was first and last a traitor."
+
+"He was doubly a traitor, if you are pleased to so stigmatize him. He
+first betrayed his benefactor, James, to ally himself with the Prince
+of Orange; and then, on the pretext of remorse, broke faith with
+William; acted the part of a spy in his court and camp; offered to
+corrupt his troops and lead them over to James; and still all was
+forgotten in the real service which he rendered to his country, and his
+name has gone into history----"
+
+He was interrupted by a sharp sound, as if some one had stepped upon a
+branch or a twig, causing it to snap beneath his feet. On the instant,
+Anderson was upon his feet, his hand feeling instinctively for his
+pistol.
+
+"We are betrayed," he whispered. "There is a spy here."
+
+All had arisen in silence and were peering into the blackness of the
+night whence the sound apparently came. Anderson thought he saw a figure
+emerge from behind a tree far off in the distance and he immediately
+gave chase, opening fire as he did so. Several times he fired into the
+dark space before him, for it was bristling with shade, notwithstanding
+the obscure light of the moon. As he covered the wide area between him
+and the river, the lithe form of a man emerged from the wooded area and
+disappeared down the incline which led to the water. Nearing the bank he
+heard distinctly the splash of the body and he fired again into the spot
+whence the noise arose. The waters were still in commotion when he
+reached them, but there was no one to be found; nothing save the gentle
+undulation of the surface as it closed over its burden, and gradually
+became placid under the soft stillness of the night. After several
+minutes of intense vigilance, he slowly retraced his steps.
+
+
+III
+
+"The river has swallowed him," he exclaimed as he neared Arnold and
+Peggy, who were standing quite motionless at the side of the settees.
+
+"Who was it?" the General asked eagerly.
+
+"I did not see him. He disappeared into the river. I heard the splash of
+his dive and fired several times in its direction, but saw no one."
+
+"Did he swim it?"
+
+"No! I would have seen him. The water was unruffled except for the
+disturbance caused by his dive. The poor devil must have sunk to the
+bottom. Perhaps one of my shots took effect."
+
+"I don't like this," muttered Arnold. "I would not have that
+conversation overheard for the crown of England. An enemy was near. I
+hope to God he is in the bottom of the river."
+
+"Still, I may have hit him. I was no more than fifty yards away."
+
+"I shall have the bed dragged in the morning. I could not rest without
+finding him. His identity must be learned."
+
+Leaving the settees, they set off in the direction of the house,
+entering by the rear door. The servants were already in alarm over the
+shooting and were standing in a group behind the threshold motionless
+with awe. Peggy paused to assure them of their safety, narrating briefly
+the cause of the disturbance, together with the probable fate of the
+spy. She rejoined her husband and his guest in the drawing-room.
+
+"I wonder who the intruder was?" Arnold muttered. There was a look of
+worry and anxiety on his face. His fingers nervously locked and
+interlocked, and the next moment grasped his chin and rubbed his cheek.
+He put his foot upon the stool and took it down again. Then he sat
+forward in his chair.
+
+"Reed is behind this," he ejaculated. "You will find out that I am
+right. Reed has done this, or has sent one of his lieutenants. Damn him!
+He has hounded me."
+
+"I may have been tracked. Perhaps it was I who was sought. My late
+movements might have created suspicion, and it is possible that I was
+shadowed here."
+
+"No, Anderson. No! It was not you they were seeking. It is I, I tell
+you. Reed has been watching me like a sharpshooter from the day I
+arrived. He has been the author of the rumors which you have heard about
+town, and he would risk his life to be enabled to establish a serious
+charge against me. I am sure of it. Reed is behind this; Reed and the
+City Council."
+
+"It was a nimble form----"
+
+"Did you say you thought you hit him?" he asked nervously, seeking some
+source of comfort and assurance.
+
+"As I live, I hit him," Anderson promised him. "Else I would have
+discovered him in the act of swimming. He is in the bottom of the
+river."
+
+"That's good, damn him. Oh! If it were but Reed himself! He haunts me."
+
+"He would not haunt you did you but remove yourself from here,"
+volunteered Peggy.
+
+"I know it. I know it," he repeated. "But how can I?"
+
+"I suggested one avenue to you," proposed Anderson.
+
+"Which?"
+
+He awaited the answer.
+
+"Via England."
+
+His face glared with a livid red. He brought his fist high above his
+head.
+
+"By heavens!" he roared. "I won't hear that again. I won't listen to it,
+I tell you. I'm afraid to do it. I cannot do it. I cannot."
+
+He shook his head as he slowly repeated the words.
+
+"Pardon me," Anderson pleaded, "I intended no harm. I apologize most
+sincerely for my impertinence. It will not happen again, I assure you."
+
+"That will do. Drop it at that."
+
+"The vessel will be ready next week? The meeting, then, can take place a
+week from Thursday."
+
+"Undoubtedly."
+
+"You will assure me of your interest?"
+
+He was on the point of going. Though he had conquered, still, he did not
+know that he had conquered. He believed, as he turned and faced his
+friend for the last time in Mount Pleasant, that his mind was fully made
+up and that he had decided for all time in favor of the cause, at the
+sacrifice of himself.
+
+"I shall do what I can," Arnold whispered, "but no more."
+
+He parted from them at the threshold.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+I
+
+"I have always contended, Griff, that a bigot and a patriot are
+incompatible," remarked Stephen as he sat on the side of his bed, and
+looked across the room and out into the sunlit street beyond.
+
+"Is that something you have just discovered?" answered Sergeant Griffin
+without taking his eyes from the newspaper before him. He was seated by
+the window, musing the morning news, his curved pipe hanging idle from
+his mouth, from which incipient clouds of smoke lazily issued and as
+lazily climbed upward and vanished through the open casement into
+threads of nothingness.
+
+"No," was the reply, "but I have come to the conclusion that the
+philosophy of religious prejudice cannot be harmonized with true
+patriotism. They stand against each other as night and day. The one
+necessarily excludes the other."
+
+"Do you know, Captain," the sergeant reasoned, pointing towards Stephen
+with the stem of his pipe, "a hard shell and a fool are somewhat alike;
+one won't reason; the other can't."
+
+"I guess you're right," Stephen laughed. "But love of country and love
+of one's neighbor should be synonymous. This I have found by actual
+experience to be almost a truism."
+
+He was idling about the room gathering wearing apparel from the closets
+and drawers, pausing for a moment to feel a pile of wet clothing that
+lay across the back of a straight chair.
+
+"You must have fallen overboard last night," observed the sergeant.
+
+"I didn't fall, Griff; I jumped."
+
+"And let me tell you, Griff," Stephen continued, "Arnold has become one
+of the most dangerous men in the whole American Army."
+
+He was dressing quietly.
+
+"And you discovered that, too?"
+
+"I am certain of it, now."
+
+"That is more like it. I don't suppose you ever had any doubts about it.
+Now you have the facts, eh?"
+
+"I have some of them; not all. But I have enough to court-martial him."
+
+"And you got them last night?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"And got wet, too?"
+
+"I almost got killed," was the grave response.
+
+"How?"
+
+"Anderson shot at me."
+
+"Was he with you, also?"
+
+"No. After me."
+
+"Come, let us hear it. Where were you?"
+
+"At Mount Pleasant."
+
+"With Arnold and Anderson?"
+
+"Yes. But they did not know it. I shadowed Anderson to the house and lay
+concealed in the park. In the evening they came into the park, that is,
+Arnold and Peggy and Anderson."
+
+"And they discovered you?"
+
+"I think they did not. I was unfortunate enough to break a branch
+beneath my foot. They heard it. Of course, I was obliged to leave
+hurriedly, but Anderson must have seen me running. The distance was too
+great to allow him to recognize me. Then, again, I was not in uniform."
+
+"And he shot at you, I suppose."
+
+"He did, but the shots went wide. I decided the river was the safest
+course, so I headed for that and dived in. I believe I was fortunate in
+attempting to swim under water; this I did as long as I could hold my
+breath. When I arose, I allowed myself to float close to the shore along
+with the current until I had moved far down the river. After that I lost
+all sight of him."
+
+He was now dressed in his military uniform and looked little exhausted
+from his experience of the night before, notwithstanding the fact that
+he had enjoyed but a few hours' sleep. Still, it was past the hour of
+ten, and he could tell from the appearance of the street that the sun
+was already high in the heavens. He went to the window and looked out at
+the citizens hurrying to and fro about their several errands. From an
+open window directly across the way resounded the familiar strain of
+"Yankee Doodle" drawn from a violin by a poor but extremely ambitious
+musician. He stood for a minute to listen.
+
+"There are a few of them in the colonies," he remarked.
+
+"I would there were one less," was the reply.
+
+Stephen turned from the window.
+
+"We have some work ahead of us, Griff," he said after a long pause. "The
+plot is about to sizzle. Are you ready?" he asked.
+
+"Of course. When do you want me?"
+
+"I cannot tell you now. I have learned that the work of recruiting is
+about finished and that the organization will take place some time next
+week. The company will leave the following day for New York on a vessel
+for which Arnold has already issued a pass."
+
+"Arnold?"
+
+"Yes, Arnold," he repeated. "He has been in this scheme from the start.
+Remember that note I told you about? I have watched him carefully since
+then, awaiting just such a move. I can have him court-martialed for
+this."
+
+"For this pass?"
+
+"Certainly. That is a violation of Section Eighteen of the Fifth Article
+of War."
+
+The sergeant whistled.
+
+"And I am going to this meeting."
+
+"You are going?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"How?"
+
+"That I do not know. But I shall find a way. They have forced Jim
+Cadwalader into the company."
+
+"Jim?"
+
+"Yes. I learned that last night. Today I mean to see Jim to learn the
+particulars. After that we shall be in a position to decide further. You
+will be here when I return?"
+
+"Yes. I shall stay here."
+
+"I won't go until late this afternoon. Until then keep your eye open."
+
+"Yes, sir," he replied, saluting.
+
+
+II
+
+When Stephen had presented himself that afternoon at Jim Cadwalader's
+modest home, he had almost persuaded himself that all would not be
+well. That the members of the Catholic regiment, whom Anderson boasted
+had totaled nearly an hundred, could so easily be dissuaded from their
+original purpose, he thought highly improbable. He was well aware that
+some of his co-religionists had been subject to British official or
+personal influence; that other some were vehemently opposed to the many
+outrages which had been committed and condoned in the name of Liberty;
+that others still were not unmindful of the spirit of hostility
+displayed by the Colonists during the early days, and had now refused
+for that reason to take sides with their intolerant neighbors in their
+struggle for Independence. Hence it was quite true that many Catholics
+were loyal to the mother country, more loyal, in fact, than they were to
+the principles of American Independence and the land of their birth.
+These, he feared, might have composed the bulk of the recruits and these
+might be the less easily dissuaded. On the other hand, he was satisfied
+that many who were unwilling to barter their allegiance had been
+constrained to yield. If the complexion of the regiment was of the
+latter variety, all would be well. His misgivings were not without
+foundation.
+
+He knocked upon the small white door of Jim's house and inquired of Mrs.
+Cadwalader if he might see her husband. Jim was at the door even as he
+spoke, and grasped his hand warmly, exchanging the greetings of the day.
+He then led him to the chairs under the great tree.
+
+"I want to see you on a matter of great importance," Stephen said with
+no further delay. "Tell me about Mr. Anderson."
+
+"I guess ther' ain't much t' tell," Jim replied.
+
+"You have held conference with him?"
+
+"'Twas him thet held it; not me."
+
+"About the Regiment?"
+
+"Aye!"
+
+"Have you signed your name?"
+
+"I hed t'."
+
+He was all in a fever, for his manner and his hesitation indicated it.
+
+"When do they meet?"
+
+"Thursda' next."
+
+"Are you sure?"
+
+"Anderson hisself jest told me."
+
+"He has been here already?"
+
+"Ye-eh, this aft'rnoon."
+
+He looked down upon the ground, considering.
+
+"Where do they meet?"
+
+"Th' basement o' th' Baptist Church."
+
+"Tell me, Jim," Stephen asked quietly. "Why did you enlist in that
+company?"
+
+"I hed t', I told ye."
+
+"Were you compelled to?"
+
+"I was."
+
+And then he told him of the number of debts which beset him, and the
+starvation which was beginning to prick him. He told of the first visit
+of Anderson and his offer of four pounds to every volunteer in the new
+regiment of Catholic soldiers. He declared that he had refused
+absolutely to take part in any disloyal act, however great might be the
+reward, and had said that he preferred to starve until the colonists had
+obtained their rights. He then told of Anderson's second visit, during
+which he offered to relieve him of all financial obligations on
+condition that he would sign with him; which offer he again refused. And
+finally he related how he was threatened with imprisonment for his
+indebtedness, and was actually served with the papers of arrest and
+confinement in the stocks unless his signature was given, and how he was
+at length obliged to yield and sign over the allegiance.
+
+Stephen listened intently throughout it all, oddly studying the face of
+his companion, reading into his very soul as he spoke. He was satisfied
+now with Cadwalader's story.
+
+"Jim," he said at length. "You do not want to join this regiment?"
+
+"No, sir!" he exclaimed aloud. "Not a bit uv it."
+
+"If I promise to assist you to escape from this man, will you lend me
+your help?"
+
+"Will I? Enythin' y' ask, sir."
+
+His eyes brightened with manifest ardor.
+
+"I want to go to that meeting, and I want you to let me take your
+place."
+
+"Sure, y' ken."
+
+"And I want to borrow your clothes."
+
+"I ain't got much," observed Jim, extending his hands and looking down
+at his clothing, "but what I hev, is yours."
+
+"And I want you to be in the vicinity of the building to join in any
+agitation which may result against Mr. Anderson."
+
+"I'll do thet, too."
+
+"Of course, if we fail it may go hard with us. A crowd is an uncertain
+element to deal with, you realize. But it is our only chance. Will you
+take it?"
+
+"O' course, I'll take it. I'll do enythin' y' say, enythin'."
+
+"And Jim! You know of many so-called members of that company who have
+been impressed in a manner similar to yours and who, very likely, are
+of the same state of mind as you."
+
+"I know meny, sir."
+
+"Very good! Can you not move among them and acquaint them secretly with
+what I have just told you? Secure their cooperation for me so that, when
+the moment comes, I may depend upon them for support. Urge them, too, to
+join in whatever demonstration may be made against the project."
+
+"I'll do thet, sir, and y' may depend 'n me fur it."
+
+"You say Thursday night? Keep me informed of any further developments.
+At any rate, I shall see you before then. Remember, however," he
+cautioned, "what I have just confided to you must be kept with the
+utmost secrecy."
+
+He raised his hand high above his head and stood up.
+
+"I hope t' God I die----"
+
+"Never mind swearing," interrupted Stephen, pulling him back again into
+his chair. "Simply be on your guard, that is all."
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"You are right to come back," he said; "you should have persevered in
+your resistance."
+
+"I couldn't help it, could I? I was made t'."
+
+"We become vigorous under persecution," answered Stephen.
+
+"I'm sorry."
+
+"Well then--tell me. Do you know aught of this Mr. Anderson?"
+
+He stared at him with a questioning look. He was completely bewildered.
+
+"Thet I don't. Why? What--what could I know?"
+
+"I mean do you know who he is?"
+
+He sat up.
+
+"Why, I never thought o' him. He seem'd c'rrect 'nough, I thought.
+Marj'rie brought 'im here, I think."
+
+Stephen set his teeth.
+
+"Marjorie?" he repeated. "Are you sure of that?"
+
+"I am, sir."
+
+"When was this?"
+
+"It's a good time now. I jest can't r'member."
+
+"Did she know of his purpose?"
+
+He paused as if he would say more, but dared not.
+
+"Thet I can't say. If I r'member c'rrectly she kept herself wid th' old
+lady."
+
+"How often did she accompany him?"
+
+"Just thet once."
+
+"You mean she simply made you acquainted with him?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+A light began to glimmer in Stephen's mind, and gradually the truth
+began to dawn upon him.
+
+"In her presence, I presume, the conversation was more or less general.
+He alluded to the scheme which was uppermost in his mind only secretly
+with you?"
+
+"Thet wuz all, sir."
+
+He knew well enough now what his friend meant, though nothing of the
+details, and from the uncertainty and the apprehension of his manner he
+judged that there was much of which he was still in the dark. Anderson
+had come to Jim with the girl to secure an advantageous introduction;
+after that he had no immediate need of her company. He was of the
+opinion that she was entirely ignorant of the man's character and
+motives, although she was unwittingly an important instrument in his
+hands. Stephen longed to reveal the truth of the situation to her, but
+dared not; at any rate, thought he, not until the proper time came. Then
+she would be enabled to appreciate for herself the trend of the whole
+affair.
+
+"Can I ask ye," inquired Jim in a voice that indicated timidity, "will
+this affair--I mean, d'ye s'ppse this thing 'll bring us t' eny harm, 'r
+thet they'll be a disorder?"
+
+Stephen's eyes danced with excitement.
+
+"Do they observe the courtesies of the law? If it comes to the worst,
+yes,--there will be a scene and the grandest scene in which a villain
+ever participated."
+
+Marjorie entering through the gate posts immediately commanded their
+attention.
+
+
+III
+
+"I should be happy to be permitted to accompany you home," Stephen
+whispered to her at a moment when they chanced to be alone.
+
+"I should be happy to have you," was the soft response.
+
+
+"You look well," she said to him after they had made their adieus to the
+Cadwaladers and begun their walk together down the street.
+
+Her eyes twinkled, and a pretty smile stole across her face.
+
+"I am as tired as I can be. I have endured some trying experiences."
+
+"Can you not leave here and take a rest? I fear that you will overtax
+yourself."
+
+He turned and looked seriously at her.
+
+"Honestly?" he asked.
+
+"Yes. I mean it. Do you know that I have allowed no day to pass without
+praying for you?"
+
+"To know that, and to hear you say it is worth a series of adventures.
+But, really, I could not think of leaving here now; not for another
+fortnight at least. The moments are too critical."
+
+"Are you still engaged in that pressing business?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"For your success in that I have also prayed."
+
+She was constant after all, he thought. Still he wondered if she could
+be sincere in her protestations, and at the same time remain true to
+Anderson. For he really believed that she had been deceived by his
+apparent infatuation.
+
+"I suppose you know that Jim has been ensnared?" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Jim? No.... I,----What has happened?"
+
+She was genuinely surprised.
+
+"He has enlisted in the regiment."
+
+"Has he forsworn?"
+
+"Not yet. But he has signed the papers of enlistment."
+
+"I am sorry, very sorry." Then after a pause: "It was I who brought
+Anderson to Jim's house, you know."
+
+"Yes. I know."
+
+"But I must confess that I did not know the nature of his errand. I,
+myself, was seeking an advantage."
+
+"No matter. It may eventually redound to our credit."
+
+"I regret exceedingly of having been the occasion of Jim's misfortune."
+
+Her eyes were cast down, her head bent forward as she walked in what
+one might characterize a meditative mood.
+
+"I, too, am sorry. But there are others."
+
+"Many?"
+
+"That I do not know. Later I shall tell you."
+
+"And why not now?"
+
+"I cannot."
+
+It was a troublesome situation in which the two found themselves. Here
+were two souls who loved each other greatly, yet without being able to
+arrive at a mutual understanding on the subject. They were separated by
+a filmy veil. The girl, naturally frank and unreserved, was intimidated
+by the restrained and melancholy mien of her companion. Yet she felt
+constrained to speak lest deception might be charged against her.
+Stephen, troubled in his own mind over the supposed unfavorable
+condition of affairs, skeptical of the affections of his erstwhile
+confidante, felt, too, a like necessity to be open and explain all.
+
+So they walked for a time, he thinking, and she waiting for him to
+speak.
+
+"For two reasons I cannot tell you," he went on. "First, the nature of
+the work is so obscure and so incomplete that I could give you no
+logical nor concise account of what I am doing. As a matter of fact, I,
+myself, am still wandering in a sort of maze. The other reason is that I
+have taken the greatest care to say no word in any way derogatory to the
+character of Mr. Anderson."
+
+"You wouldn't do that."
+
+"That's just it. I should not want to be the cause of your forming an
+opinion one way or the other concerning him. I would much prefer you to
+discover and to decide for yourself."
+
+"That is charity."
+
+"Perhaps!"
+
+"And tact."
+
+She peeped at him, her lips parted in a merry smile. Evidently she was
+in a flippant mood.
+
+"It would be most unfair to him were I to establish a prejudice in your
+mind against him."
+
+"Yet you have already disapproved of my friendship with him."
+
+"I have, as I already have told you."
+
+"Yet you have never told me the reason," she reminded him.
+
+"I cannot."
+
+He shook his head.
+
+For he would not wound her feelings for the world; and still it pained
+him to be compelled to leave her in a state bordering on perplexity, not
+to say bewilderment, as a result of his strange silence. A delicate
+subject requires a deft hand, and he sensed only too keenly his
+impotency in this respect. He, therefore, thought it best to avoid as
+much as possible any attempts at explanation, at least for the present.
+
+Furthermore, he was entirely ignorant of her opinion of Anderson. Of
+course, he would have given worlds to know this. But there seemed no
+reasonable hope that that craving would be satisfied. He was persuaded
+that the man had made a most favorable impression upon her, and if that
+were true, he knew that it were fruitless to continue further, for
+impressions once made are not easily obliterated. Poor girl! he thought.
+She had seen only his best side; just that amount of good in a bad man
+that makes him dangerous,--just that amount of interest which often
+makes the cleverest person of a dullard.
+
+Hence she was still an enigma. As far as he was concerned, however,
+there had been little or no variation in his attachment to her. She was
+ever the same interesting, lovely, tender, noble being; complete in her
+own virtues, indispensable to his own happiness. Perhaps he had been
+mistaken in his analysis of her; but no,--very likely she did care for
+the other man, or at any rate was beginning to find herself in that
+unfortunate state--fortunate, indeed, for Anderson, but unfortunate for
+him.
+
+For this reason, more than for any other, he had desisted from saying
+anything that might have lessened Anderson in her regard. It would be
+most unfair to interfere with her freedom of choice. When the facts of
+the case were revealed in all their fullness, he felt certain that she
+would repent of her infatuation, if he might be permitted to so term her
+condition. It seemed best to him to await developments before further
+pressing his suit.
+
+"Stephen," she said at length. "What are you thinking of me?"
+
+"I--Why?--That is a sudden question. Do you mean complimentary or
+critical?"
+
+"I mean this. Have you misjudged my relations with John Anderson?"
+
+"I have thought in my mind----" he began, and stopped.
+
+Marjorie started. The voice was quiet enough but significant in tone.
+
+"Please tell me," she pleaded. "I must know."
+
+"Well, I have thought that you have been unusually attentive to him."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And that, perhaps, you do care for him,--just a little."
+
+There! It was out. She had guessed aright.
+
+"I thought as much," she said quietly.
+
+"Then why did you ask me?"
+
+"Listen," she began. "Do you recall the night you asked me to be of some
+service to you?"
+
+"Perfectly."
+
+"I have thought over that subject long and often. I wondered wherein
+that service could lie. During the night of Peggy's affair it dawned
+upon me that this stranger to whom I was presented, might be more artful
+than honest. I decided to form his acquaintance so that I might learn
+his identity, together with his mission in the city. I cherished the
+ambition of drawing certain information from him; and this I felt could
+be accomplished only by an assumed intimacy with him."
+
+Stephen stopped suddenly. His whole person was tense and magnetic as he
+stared at her.
+
+"Marjorie!" he exclaimed. "Do you mean it?"
+
+"Truly. I read his character from the first. His critical attitude
+displeased me. But I had to pretend. I had to."
+
+"Please! Please forgive me." He turned and seized suddenly both her
+hands. "I thought,--I thought,--I cannot say it. Won't you forgive me?"
+
+Her eyes dropped. She freed her hands.
+
+"Then I tricked you as well," she exclaimed with a laugh.
+
+"And you mean it? I am made very happy today, happier than words can
+express. What loyalty! You have been helping me all the time and I
+never knew it. Why did you not tell me this before?"
+
+"You never gave me leave. I wanted to talk to you so much, and you
+seemed to forbid me.... I prayed for an opportunity, and none came."
+
+"I am very sorry."
+
+"Anderson interested me only in this,--he came into our society for a
+very definite purpose, the nature of which I was most desirous of
+learning. I know now that he is not of our faith, although he pretends
+to be. He is not of French extraction, yet he would lead one to assume
+that he was. He is a British officer and actively engaged in the service
+of the enemy. At present the recruiting of the proposed regiment of
+Catholic Volunteers for service with the enemy is his immediate work. He
+hopes to find many displeased and disloyal members of our kind. Them he
+would incorporate into a company of deserters."
+
+"You have learned that from him?"
+
+"Aye! And more. General Arnold has been initiated into the scheme. I do
+not know what to think except that he has yielded to some influence. His
+antipathy toward us would require none, nevertheless I feel that some
+undue pressure has been brought to bear upon him."
+
+"Anderson?" he asked.
+
+"I do not know. At any rate he will bear watching. I think he is about
+to ask for a more important command."
+
+Stephen then told her of his adventures, relating to her wholly and
+candidly the details of his suspicions, together with his plan for the
+future. Throughout it all she listened with attention, so much
+interested that she was scarce aware that they were crossing the wide
+road before her own home. Her eyes had been about her everywhere as they
+walked, yet they had failed to perceive anything.
+
+"Won't you come in?" she asked. "You are almost a stranger here now."
+
+"I would like to more than I can tell you; but truly I have business
+before me which is pressing. Pardon me just once more, please."
+
+"Mother would be pleased to see you, you know," she insisted.
+
+"I should like, indeed, to see your mother. I shall stop to see her,
+just to inquire for her."
+
+"Will you come when this terrible business is completed?"
+
+"Gladly. Let us say,--next week. Perhaps you might be pleased to come
+canoeing with me for the space of an afternoon?"
+
+"I should be delighted. Next week?"
+
+"Yes. Next week. I shall let you know."
+
+"Here is mother, now."
+
+He went in and shook her hand, inquiring diligently concerning her.
+
+
+IV
+
+As Stephen walked away from the home of his beloved, ruminating over the
+strange disclosures of the day and how satisfactory and gratifying they
+were to him, his state of mind was such that he was eager for the
+completion of the more serious business that was impending so that he
+might return to her who had flooded his soul with new and sudden
+delight. Never was he more buoyant or cheerful. He was cheerful,
+notwithstanding his remorse.
+
+For he did chide himself over his absurd stupidity. He should have
+known her better than to have entertained, for even a passing moment, a
+thought of her inconstancy, and that he should have so misjudged
+her,--her whom he himself would have selected from among his host of
+acquaintances as the one best fitted for the office assumed,--disturbed
+him not a little. His own unworthiness filled him with shame. Why did he
+question her?
+
+And yet he would have given his own life to make her happy, he who was
+quietly allowing her to vanish out of it. He tried to explain his
+fallacy. First of all, the trend of circumstances was decidedly against
+him. There was his arrest and subsequent trial, days when he had longed
+to be at her side to pursue the advantages already gained. Then there
+were the days of his absence from town, the long solid weeks spent in
+trailing Anderson, and in meeting those who had been approached by him
+in the matter of the recruiting. It was well nigh impossible, during
+this time, to seize a moment for pleasure, precious moments during which
+Anderson, as he thought, had been making favorable progress both with
+his suit and with his sinister work. If Marjorie had forgotten him
+quite, Stephen knew that he alone was responsible. Him she had seen but
+seldom; Anderson was ever at her side. No girl should be put to this
+test. It was too exacting.
+
+Despite his appreciation of these facts, his soul had been seized with a
+very great anguish over the thought of his lost prize; and if he had
+failed to conceal his feelings in her presence, it was due to the fact
+that his sensitive nature was not equal to the strain imposed upon it.
+Who can imagine the great joy that now filled his heart to overflowing
+as a result of his conversation today, when he learned from her own
+lips that throughout it all she had been steadfast and true to him
+alone? His great regard for her was increased immeasurably. Her
+character had been put to the test, and she had emerged more beautiful,
+more radiant, more steadfast than before.
+
+This new analysis led him to a very clear decision. First of all he
+would defeat the cunning Anderson at his own game; then he would rescue
+his countrymen from their unfortunate and precarious condition; and,
+finally, he would return to Marjorie to claim his reward. Altogether he
+had spent an advantageous and a delightful afternoon. He was ready to
+enter the meeting house with renewed energy.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+I
+
+The hall was very ordinary within. Small in proportion to its great high
+ceiling, bleak in its white-washed walls and scantily covered floor,
+oppressive from its damp, stifling air and poor ventilation, it gave
+every indication of the state of disuse into which it had fallen. It was
+no more than an anteroom to the vestry of the church, though quite
+detached from it, yet one could almost feel through the stout south wall
+the impenetrable weight of darkness which had settled down within the
+great building beyond. The gloomy shadows had penetrated here, too, for
+although the antechamber contained a half dozen windows, they were
+shuttered and barred against every hue of twilight from the outside. The
+very atmosphere was indicative of the sinister nature of the business at
+hand.
+
+To the front of the room a small platform stood surmounted by a table,
+surrounded by chairs. Several men occupied these, interested in a
+conversation, somewhat subdued in its tone and manner. The chairs,
+settees, and benches throughout the rest of the room, were being filled
+by the so-called volunteers, who entered and took their places with an
+air of wonder and indecision. Already two-thirds of the seats were
+taken, and every face turned and re-turned to the door at every
+footfall.
+
+The small door to the side was, of course, barred; but, in response to
+the slightest knock, it was opened by an attendant, assigned for that
+purpose. Names were asked and the cards of admission were collected with
+a certain formality before the aspirant gained admittance. There was no
+introduction, no hurry, no excitement.
+
+"What's your name?" the man at the door was heard to say to one who
+already had tapped for admittance.
+
+"Cadwalader," was the reply. "James Cadwalader."
+
+"Got your card?"
+
+There was no response, only the production of a small white card.
+
+A strong, athletic individual, clad in a checked shirt and a red flannel
+jacket, a leathern apron, and a pair of yellow buckskin breeches,
+entered and stood for a moment looking about the hall. His eyes fell
+upon the group gathered around the table at the forward end of the room.
+Two of them he recognized, Colonel Clifton and John Anderson, the latter
+with his back to the audience. There were many familiar faces in the
+chairs throughout the room, some of whom had expected him, and
+accordingly gave him a slight recognition. Slowly, and in a manifestly
+indifferent manner, he made his way to the front of the chairs where he
+seated himself, and listened sharply to the little group conversing upon
+the platform until he had satisfied himself that there was nothing of
+importance under discussion.
+
+The room was filling rapidly. It was one of those mixed assemblies
+wherein one could discern many states of mind written upon the faces of
+those present. Some wore the appearance of contentment and composure;
+some laughed and talked in a purely disinterested and indifferent
+manner; others looked the picture of unrest and dissatisfaction, and
+wore a scowl of disappointment and defeat. These latter Stephen
+recognized at once and hurriedly made an estimate of their number.
+Together with the neutral representation he seemed satisfied with the
+majority.
+
+The most remarkable feature of all was the silence. Not a voice was
+raised above a whisper. The man at the door at the side of the hall, the
+little group away to the front of the hall, peeping at the audience and
+talking in subdued tones, the people in the chairs, those at the back of
+the hall,--all seemed to hold their tongues to a whisper for interest
+and a kind of fear. Drama was in the air.
+
+The guard at the door advanced to the front of the hall to announce to
+Mr. Anderson that the full quota was present. Whereupon the latter arose
+from his chair and swept with his gaze the entire room, which the dim
+light of the torches only partly revealed. Satisfied with his scrutiny,
+he turned and again conferred with his associates who nodded their heads
+in acceptance of his suggestion. They sat back in their chairs while he
+came to the center of the platform and awaited the cessation of the hum
+which was now becoming audible.
+
+"Let me begin by taking further assurance of your number," he said, "for
+which purpose I shall call the roll of names to which I respectfully ask
+you to respond."
+
+Then followed the reading of the roll-call to which each man at the
+mention of his name signified his presence in the room. Stephen's heart
+fluttered as he replied boldly to the name of "James Cadwalader."
+
+There were eight names to which no reply was given. These very likely
+would come later, or perhaps they had reconsidered their action and had
+decided not to come at all. Those present numbered eighty-six, Stephen
+learned from the count.
+
+"I shall take this opportunity of distributing among you the papers of
+enlistment that you may read the terms of agreement, and these I shall
+ask you to sign at the close of this meeting."
+
+As Anderson finished this sentence, he passed to several aids, a bundle
+of papers which they promptly dealt out to the members of the proposed
+company.
+
+Then Mr. Anderson began.
+
+
+II
+
+"You have assembled this evening, my dear friends and co-religionists,
+to translate into definite action the convictions by which you have been
+impelled to undertake this important business. Our presence means that
+we are ready to put into deeds the inspirations which have always
+dominated our minds. It means that we are about to make a final thrust
+for our religious convictions, and to prove that we are worthy
+descendants of the men who established in this land freedom of religious
+worship, and bequeathed it to us as a priceless heritage."
+
+This Anderson is a clever fellow, thought Stephen, and a fluent talker.
+Already his eloquence had brought quiet to the room and caused those who
+were fumbling with the papers to let them fall motionless in their laps.
+But what a knave! Here he was deliberately playing upon the sympathies
+of his audience in the role of a Catholic.
+
+"We have signified our intention of taking this momentous step, because
+we are of the undivided opinion that our rights have been attained. We
+have accomplished our purpose and we have now no cause for martial
+strife. No longer do grounds of contention between us and the mother
+country exist. Our bill of rights has been read abroad and honored, and
+overtures of conciliation have already been made. The object for which
+we linked our forces with the rebel standard, the happiness, the supreme
+happiness of our country, has been gained. We no longer desire open
+warfare.
+
+"The idea of an American Parliament, with its members of American birth,
+is a welcome one. It is a fitting, a worthy ambition. We are confident
+that we are capable, at this juncture, of enacting our own laws and of
+giving them the proper sanction. We are capable of raising our own
+taxes. We are worthy of conducting our own commerce in every part of the
+civilized globe as free citizens of the British Empire. And we are
+convinced that we should enjoy for this purpose the blessings of good
+government, not necessarily self-government, and that we should be
+sustained by all the power requisite to uphold it, as befits free and
+independent children bonded together in a concert of purpose.
+
+"This we desire. But we seek also that freedom in matters of religious
+worship without which no nation can attain to any degree of greatness.
+Under a government conducted solely and independently by the colonists
+we know that such a consummation would be impossible. I need not remind
+you of the deplorable state of affairs which obtained previous to the
+opening of hostilities. I need not recall to your minds the
+anti-Catholic declarations of the Continental Congresses. I need not
+recall to you the machinations of John Jay, or the manifest antipathy of
+the Adamses, or the Hamiltons, or the Paines. I need not recall to you
+how the vaunted defenders of American liberties and freedom expressed
+their supreme detestation of Catholics and all things Catholic, and how
+they were determined that the nightmare of Popery would never hold sway
+over these free and independent colonies as it does even now in Canada.
+I need not recall how the colonies, with the sole exception of this
+colony of Pennsylvania, debarred the free and legitimate exercise of
+your religion within their bounds, and restricted its public ceremonies;
+how you were restricted by oaths required by law, even here in
+Pennsylvania, which you could not take had you been so successful as to
+be chosen to office. I need not remind you of these truths. You already
+know them. It would be idle to repeat them."
+
+"This man is exceedingly dangerous," muttered Stephen, "and exceedingly
+well-informed." He jotted down several notes on the reverse of his
+paper.
+
+"We have been displeased with the conduct of the war, immeasurably so.
+And we have lost all faith in the good will of our fellow-colonists, in
+matters religious as well as in matters political. They have refused to
+treat with the ministers of conciliation. We are about to join our
+forces to those of the mother country in order that we may render our
+own poverty-stricken land an everlasting service. We are destined to
+take our places among a band of true and genuine patriots, who have,
+above all things else, the welfare of their own land at heart, and we
+are about to commit ourselves to this course, together with our
+fortunes and our lives. Since our people are blinded by the avarice and
+the prejudice of their leaders, we shall take into our own hands the
+decision and the fortunes of this war, trusting that our cause may be
+heard at the bar of history when strict judgment shall be meted out. We
+have broken with our people in the hope that the dawn of better days may
+break through the clouds that now overshadow us."
+
+He paused, for a moment to study the temper of his audience. There was
+no sound, and so he continued.
+
+"It is the glory of the British soldier that he is the defender, not the
+destroyer, of the civil and the religious rights of the people. Witness
+the tolerant care of your mother country in the bestowal of religious
+liberties to the inhabitants of our once oppressed neighbor, Canada. The
+Quebec Act was the greatest concession ever granted in the history of
+the British Parliament, and it secured for the Canadians the freedom of
+that worship so dear and so precious to them. So great was the tolerance
+granted to the Catholics of the North, that your fellow-colonists flew
+to arms lest a similar concession be made here. It was the last straw
+that broke the bonds of unity. For, henceforth, it was decreed that only
+a complete and independent separation from the British Parliament could
+secure to the people the practice of the Protestant faith.
+
+"Now we come to the real purpose of this organization. We are about to
+pledge ourselves to the restoration of our faith through the ultimate
+triumph of the British arms. Nobody outside of America believes that she
+can ever make good her claims of independence. No one has ever taken
+seriously her attempt at self-government. France, alone, actuated by
+that ancient hatred for England, inspired by the lust of conquest and
+the greed of spoliation, has sent her ships to our aid. But has she
+furnished the Colonies with a superior force of arms? Has she rendered
+herself liable for any indebtedness? Your mother country alone has made
+this benign offer to you, and it is to her alone that you can look and
+be assured of any reconciliation and peace.
+
+"Victory, once assured, will establish peace and everlasting happiness.
+Victory, now made possible only by the force of arms, will assure us
+toleration in religious matters. And why not? This fratricidal strife
+should not occasion any personal hatred. England is not our foe, but our
+mother in arms against whom we have conceived an unjust grievance. Let
+us lay aside our guns for the olive. Since our fellow-citizens will not
+accept just terms of conciliation let us compel them to do so by the
+strength of our arms.
+
+"Tomorrow we embark for New York at the place of landing indicated on
+the papers of enlistment. There we shall be incorporated into a regiment
+of a thousand men. The recruiting there has met with unlooked-for
+success. Colonel Clifton reports that the ranks already are filled. Your
+admission alone is required, and the ship, which will bear you down the
+waters of the Susquehanna tomorrow, will carry a message of cheer to
+them who have already entrusted themselves, their destinies, their all
+to the realization of our common hope.
+
+"You will now take the oath of allegiance to the government of His
+Majesty, which I shall administer to you in a body. Tomorrow at the hour
+of eight I shall meet you at the pier of embarkation. I shall be glad to
+accompany you to reveal to you my interest in your behalf. Only with a
+united front can we hope for success and to this purpose we have
+dedicated our lives and our fortunes. I shall ask you to rise to a man,
+with your right arm upraised, to take the oath of allegiance to your
+king."
+
+
+III
+
+The spell that held them broke, and the bustle began. A mumble filled
+the room, followed by moments of animated discussion. Neighbor spoke to
+neighbor in terms of approval or plied him with questions menacing and
+entreating. Anderson maintained his composure to allow them to settle
+again into a period of quietude before the administration of the oath.
+At length Stephen arose as if to question, and was given permission to
+speak by the chairman, Mr. Anderson.
+
+"What immunity does His Majesty's Government guarantee to us after the
+war?"
+
+"The usual guarantee will of course be made," Anderson replied.
+
+"Does that mean that we shall be reestablished in the good-will of our
+fellow-citizens?" Stephen again inquired.
+
+"Unquestionably. When the colonists see the immense benefits which they
+have acquired, they will readily condone all wrongs."
+
+Intense interest was already manifest throughout the room. Faces were
+eagerly bent forward lest a word be lost.
+
+"Such considerations, however, are irrelevant to our purpose," dismissed
+Anderson with a wave of the hand.
+
+"But it is of vital consequence to us. We must return to our people to
+live with them, and we cannot live in an atmosphere of hatred. Who
+knows that our lives may not be placed in jeopardy! My question deals
+with this. Will any provision be made against such a contingency?"
+
+"It is too early to discuss the final settlement, but you have my
+assurance that suitable protection will be given."
+
+"Your assurance?" repeated Stephen. "What amount of assurance may you
+offer to us, you who admittedly are one of ourselves?"
+
+"I consider that an impertinent question, sir, and in no way connected
+with the business before us."
+
+"It is of vital concern to us, I should say; and I for one am desirous
+of knowing more about this affair before yielding my consent."
+
+"You have signed your papers of enlistment already, I believe. There is
+no further course then for you to pursue."
+
+There was a rustle among the seats. Some had begun to realize their
+fate; some had realized it from the start but were powerless to prevent
+it. Two or three faces turned a shade paler, and they became profoundly
+silent. The others, too, held their tongues to await the result of the
+controversy. For here was a matter of vital concern to all. Up to now
+very few deserters, especially among the Catholics, had been discovered
+among the American forces. They had heard of an individual or two
+surrendering himself to the enemy, or of whole families going over to
+the other side in order to retain their possessions and lands. But a
+mutiny was another matter altogether. What if they failed and the
+Colonists gained their independence!
+
+"I suppose we are powerless," admitted Stephen in a low tone of voice
+as he watched the effect of his words on the gathering. "We are
+confronted," he continued, "with the dilemma of estrangement no matter
+what side gains."
+
+"England can't lose," interrupted Colonel Clifton, who heretofore had
+been seated, an attentive observer. "And with victory comes the
+establishment of the will of the conqueror. Care will be taken that
+there shall be adequate reparation."
+
+"Very good!" answered Stephen. "Now together with that privilege of
+immunity, can we be assured of the extension of the Quebec Act? Has
+England so decreed?"
+
+"Not yet," Anderson admitted, "but that extension, or one equal to it,
+will be made one of the conditions of peace."
+
+"We are sure of that, then?"
+
+"Well, we are not sure, but it is only logical to infer such a
+condescension will be made."
+
+"I don't agree with you, I am sorry to say, for the English Parliament
+may be of another mind when peace and victory have been established."
+
+"You are interrupting the meeting. Please let us continue with our
+business," Anderson sharply reproved him.
+
+"I speak for my fellow-citizens here," said Stephen as he turned toward
+them with an appealing gesture, "and I maintain that it is our privilege
+to know certain matters before we transfer our allegiance."
+
+It was now plain to the company that Anderson was worried. His white
+thin lips were firmly compressed as the wrath in his heart blazed within
+him. He was aghast at the blow. It had come from a quarter wholly
+unexpected. That this fellow in these shabby clothes should be gifted
+with a freedom of speech such as to confound him when he thought his
+plans realized to the letter, was astounding. Why, he might sway the
+minds of the entire assembly! Better to silence him at once, or better
+still banish him from the hall than to cope with the possibility of
+losing the entire multitude.
+
+"You have interrupted this meeting more than I care to have you, sir. If
+you will kindly allow me to proceed with the business before the house I
+shall consider it a favor."
+
+"I ask my fellow-citizens here," shouted Stephen by way of reply, "if
+you or any man possesses the right to deprive us of free speech,
+especially at a time as momentous as this. I ask you, my friends, if I
+may continue?"
+
+"Yes!... Go on!... We will hear you!..." were the several acclamations
+from the throng.
+
+Anderson heard it with perceptible confusion. He fumbled nervously with
+his fingers, wholly ignorant of what to say.
+
+"Let me ask, then," said Stephen, "if the idea of independence is wholly
+exclusive of religious toleration. Why are we, a mere handful of men,
+about to pledge ourselves to the accomplishment by force of arms what
+already is accomplished in our very midst? Freedom of religious worship
+is already assured. The several actions of the colonial governing bodies
+lend us that assurance. England can do no more for us than already has
+been done; and what has been done by the Colonies will be guaranteed by
+the elective body of the people in the days of independence. I am
+fearful of the hazards that will accompany this enlistment. Give me
+leave to address you on this topic that you may understand my troubled
+state of mind. I appeal to you. Give me leave to talk."
+
+Whether it was the spontaneous sound issuing from the ranks of those
+already initiated into the secret, or whether a chord already attuned in
+the hearts and minds of the entire assembly, had been marvelously struck
+by him, there was a reverberation of approval throughout the room in
+answer to Stephen's plea. So unanimous was the demonstration that
+Anderson took alarm. The air of democracy was revealing itself in their
+instinctive enthusiasm. And while nothing might result from Stephen's
+rambling remarks, still it would afford them consolation that their side
+of the question had been aired. To a man they voiced their approval of
+the privilege which had been begged.
+
+"Aye!... Speech!... Take the floor!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII
+
+
+I
+
+"I have no desire to make a speech," Stephen began, "but I have asked
+for this privilege of addressing you because we are moving through
+critical times and because there are serious decisions to be made this
+evening, which it is neither right nor possible for us to make without a
+full consideration of the state of affairs. I have devoted much serious
+thought to this subject. I have labored to arrive at a just conclusion,
+and it is in that spirit that I would speak. I feel, too, that I have an
+inalienable right as a free-born citizen to express my views freely and
+publicly, as befits a loyal adherent of the principles which we are now
+defending with our blood. And first among those principles is that which
+guarantees representation in all matters that are of vital concern to
+us."
+
+He had not left his chair but continued to talk from his place beside
+it, turning, however, somewhat in the direction of his audience. Silence
+reigned throughout the room and every face was turned full upon him.
+
+"I, too, had accepted the terms of enlistment on the plea of the
+acquisition of our rights, so admirably exposed to us by our good
+friend, Mr. Anderson. As I pondered the matter, however, I seriously
+questioned whether this were the proper time for the employment of such
+methods. What assurance have we,--if indeed assurance be needed,--that
+this is not another trick of the enemy? Bear with me, please, while I
+unfold to you my thoughts.
+
+"Our leader and our guide in these matters, Mr. Anderson, has made known
+to us that this business of recruiting has been a great success. But did
+he tell us of the sinister methods which often had been resorted to, of
+the many threats which had been exercised over a great number of us, of
+the debts which had been relieved, of the intimidation which had been
+employed? He declared with manifest satisfaction that the recruiting in
+the city of New York had been marvelous in its results, yet he did not
+explain to our satisfaction the reason which impelled the leaders of
+this revolt to seek members from the neighboring cities to help swell
+the ranks; nor did he tell of the means which had been made use of to
+secure that marvelous number in the city, of all cities, where such
+recruiting would be most successful because of the present British
+occupation of the territory. Furthermore, he failed to tell us that he
+himself is not a Catholic, or that his true name is not Anderson, or of
+his history previous to his appearance in this city. Neither did he tell
+us that Lieutenant-Colonel Clifton, while a Philadelphia Catholic, is a
+British subject, having accepted British allegiance on the capture of
+the city a year ago last September. There were many items of importance
+which were not revealed to us. Shall I continue? I have an abundance of
+facts to disclose to you, if you give me leave."
+
+So favorable had been the impression produced by the speech of Anderson
+that Stephen felt apprehensive lest his own criticism and contradiction
+would not be accepted as true. And so he paused to learn if possible the
+nature of his reception.
+
+"Yes!... We want to hear them!... Tell us more!..."
+
+There was a wild outburst of approval, followed by a generous
+handclapping. In the confusion, Stephen observed Anderson together with
+Colonel Clifton leave their places on the platform and take seats on the
+side of the room.
+
+"It is quite true that we have no quarrel with the English people. We
+have no quarrel with their king or the framers of their laws. It is
+equally true that the governments of Great Britain and the United
+Colonies have become involved in a military struggle, a struggle to the
+death; nevertheless we would be the last to imply that there exists any
+essential antagonism of interests or purposes between the two peoples.
+We are not engaged in a contest between Englishmen and Americans, but
+between two antagonistic principles of government, each of which has its
+advocates and its opponents among us who sit here, among those who live
+with us in our own country, among those who reside in far-off England.
+The contest is a political contest, the ancient contest between the Whig
+and the Tory principles of government, the contest of Chatham and North,
+and Richmond, Rockingham and Burke transferred to this side of the
+Atlantic. The political liberty to which we have dedicated ourselves is
+no product of our imaginations; our forefathers of the seventeenth
+century brought it to our shores and now we naturally refuse to
+surrender it. It is the principle for which we are contending,--the
+principles that these United Colonies are and of a right ought to be
+free and independent states; and in all matters else we are loyal foster
+children of His Majesty the King, as loyal and as interested a people in
+the welfare of the mother country as the most devoted subject of the
+crown residing in the city of London.
+
+"War was inevitable. This has been known for some time; but there has
+been no lack of cordiality between the people of the United Kingdom and
+the people of the United Colonies. We are opposed to certain principles
+of statecraft, to the principle of taxation without representation, to
+the same degree as are the Whigs of our mother country. We cherish the
+warmest sentiments of love and admiration for the English people and we
+are ready to become their brothers in arms at any future date for the
+defense of those very ideals which we are now trying to establish,--the
+blessings of democracy; but we abominate autocracy and will have none of
+it. In this regard we may be said to have disinfected our anger, but
+never to have diluted it."
+
+The Tory element moved about in their seats, and Stephen suspected for a
+moment that he was being treated with an air of disdain. He shifted his
+point of view suddenly.
+
+"To say that the Catholic people of this country are dissatisfied with
+the conduct of the war is begging the question, and brands them with a
+stigma which they wholly undeserve. We admit for the sake of argument
+that our early cousins may have proved themselves somewhat intolerant,
+and, perhaps, rendered conditions of life disagreeable to us; still gold
+must be tried by the fire. We grow vigorous under storms of persecution.
+And while it is true that the American Congress of 1774 protested
+against the legislature of Great Britain establishing a 'religion
+fraught with impious tenets,' yet it is equally true that the Congress
+of 1776 resolved to protect 'all foreigners in the free exercise of
+their respective religions.' The past has been buried by this; the
+future lies before us.
+
+"We do not grieve on that account. Rather are we proud of our adhesion
+to the cause of independence, and you, yourselves, are no less proud of
+your own efforts in this regard. The Commander-in-chief is warmly
+disposed towards the Catholic element, not alone in the army, but among
+the citizenry. His own bodyguard is composed of men, more than thirty of
+whom bear Catholic names. One of his aides, Colonel Fitzgerald, is a
+Catholic. His Captain and Commander of the Navy, nominated and appointed
+by himself, is a Catholic, John Barry. We are appreciative of the
+services of our General, and we are ready to render ourselves worthy of
+the esteem and the respect in which we are held by him, as was evidenced
+by his abolition of the celebration of Guy Fawkes Day, so detestable to
+us.
+
+"I repeat this to impress upon you that this is not the time for
+religious controversy or for nicely calculating the scope and the extent
+of our service. The temper of the times requires unity of action and
+definition of purpose. Our people respect us. Whatever restrictions were
+lodged against us in the past have been broken down now before the
+battering ram of public opinion. The guarantees for the future given by
+our own brethren, that we shall be permitted the free and unrestricted
+exercise of our religious observances as well as the right to worship
+God according to the dictates of our own consciences, are of more
+endurable texture than the flimsy promises of the enemy. Our noble and
+generous ally, France, already has procured for us that respect and
+recognition so indispensable to our safety and, contrary to the opinion
+already expressed here tonight, has sent us six thousand men, the first
+installment of an army of at least twelve thousand trained soldiers,
+destined to be put directly under General Washington's command. Together
+with these she has already furnished Congress with large sums of money
+to enable us to carry on the war. The dawn of a brighter day is now
+breaking over the horizon and in the east the sun of justice and of
+toleration and of liberty may be seen breaking through the low-hung
+clouds of oppression, prejudice and tyranny which have so long obscured
+it. In our history there has been no coward, no Tory, no traitor of our
+faith. We are still Loyalists; but of different type. That precious and
+historic document of July 4, 1776, definitely and for all time absolved
+us from all allegiance to the British Crown. By nature, then, we have
+become citizens of a new government, a government instituted by and
+subject to the peoples of these free and independent states. Henceforth,
+Loyalty assumes a newer and most lasting significance;--it has suddenly
+become for us synonymous with the best and dearest interests of our
+country."
+
+He paused.
+
+
+II
+
+The sigh throughout the room was distinctly audible as he ended his
+paragraph with a rhetorical pause. He caught the sound on the instant
+and understood its meaning as the orator, holding his audience in
+breathless intensity, allows them to drop suddenly that he may
+appreciate his control of their feelings. Their pent-up energies give
+way to an abrupt relaxation followed by a slight scuffling of the body
+or an intermittent cough. From these unconscious indications, Stephen
+knew that he had held their interest and he did not intend that they
+should be allowed to compose themselves quite, until he had finished. He
+began at once on the evidence of the plot.
+
+"The members of this proposed company before whom I have the privilege
+of speaking, have been the victims of a gigantic plot, a plot that found
+its origin in the headquarters of the British army at New York City. It
+was to advance the plan that John Anderson came to Philadelphia. He had
+carried on communication with the enemy almost without interruption.
+Because the work of recruiting in the city of the enemy was a failure,
+it was decreed that the city of Philadelphia, as the most Tory of the
+American cities, be called upon for the requisite number. Of the
+progress here, you already know. Of the multifarious means employed, you
+yourselves can bear excellent witness. Of the ultimate success of the
+venture you are now about to decide.
+
+"The Military Governor, General Arnold, was early initiated into the
+scheme. For a long time he has borne a fierce grudge against Congress,
+and he hoped that the several Catholic members of the body might be
+induced to forsake the American cause. They sought Father Farmer, our
+good pastor, as chaplain of the regiment, but he refused with mingled
+delicacy and tact. Indeed, were it not for the hostile state of the
+public mind, a campaign of violence would have been resorted to; but
+Arnold felt the pulse of dislike throbbing in the heart of the community
+and very wisely refrained from increasing its fervor. All possible aid
+was furnished by him, however, in a secret manner. His counsel was
+generously given. Many of your names were supplied by him together with
+an estimate of your financial standing, your worth in the community,
+your political tendencies, the strength of your religious convictions.
+And what a comparatively simple matter it was for one thus equipped to
+accomplish so marvelous and so satisfactory results!
+
+"I repeat, then, General Arnold is strongly prejudiced against us. It is
+an open secret that Catholic soldiers have fared ill at his hands.
+Tories and Jews compose his retinue, but no Catholics. I am not critical
+in this respect for I observe that he is enjoying but a personal
+privilege. But I allude to this fact at this moment to assure you that
+this scheme of forming a regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers is
+directed solely to subvert the good relations already existing between
+us and our brethren in arms. The promises made bore no hope of
+fulfillment. The guarantees of immunity deserve no consideration. The
+Quebec Act, and for this I might say in passing that we are duly
+grateful, was never to be extended. In view of these observations, I ask
+you: are you willing to continue with this nefarious business? Are you?"
+
+"No!" was the interruption. The outburst was riotous. "Arrest the
+traitor!... I move we adjourn!..."
+
+Stephen held out his hands in supplication to beseech them to hear him
+further.
+
+"Please, gentlemen! Just one more word," he pleaded.
+
+They stood still and listened.
+
+"Has it occurred to you, let me ask, that the vessel which has been
+engaged to transport you to the city of New York is named the _Isis_, a
+sloop well known to sea-faring men of this city? She is owned by
+Philadelphia citizens and manned by a local crew. Does not this strike
+you as remarkably strange and significant,--that a vessel of this
+character should clear this port and enter the port of the enemy without
+flying the enemy's flag? Think of it, gentlemen! An American vessel with
+an American crew employed by the enemy, and chartered to aid and abet
+the enemy's cause!"
+
+They resumed their seats to give their undivided attention to this new
+topic of interest. Some sat alert, only partly on the chair; some sat
+forward with their chins resting in the palms of their hands. So
+absorbed were all in astonishment and amazement, that no other thought
+gave them any concern save that of the vessel. The side door had opened
+and closed, yet no one seemed to notice the occurrence. Even Stephen had
+failed to observe it.
+
+"As a matter of fact," he continued, "the ship has not been chartered by
+the enemy. She is about to clear this port and enter the port of the
+enemy by virtue of a pass issued through General Arnold.... Please, just
+a moment, until I conclude," he exclaimed, holding out his hand with a
+restraining gesture. "This matter has heretofore been a close secret,
+but it is necessary now that the truth should be known. To issue a pass
+for such an errand is a violation of the American Articles of War and
+for this offense I now formally charge Major-General Benedict Arnold
+with treason."
+
+"The traitor!... Court-martial him!..." shouted several voices.
+
+"I charge him with being unfaithful to his trust. He had made use of our
+wagons to transport the property of the enemy at a time when the lines
+of communication of the enemy were no farther distant than Egg Harbor.
+He has allowed many of our people to enter and leave the lines of the
+enemy. He has illegally concerned himself over the profits of a
+privateer. He has imposed, or at any rate has given his sanction to the
+imposition of menial offices upon the sons of freedom who are now
+serving in the militia, as was the case with young Matlack, which you
+will remember. And he has of late improperly granted a pass for a vessel
+to clear for the port of the enemy. I desire to make these charges
+publicly in order that you may know that my criticisms are not without
+foundation. I have in view your welfare alone."
+
+"Aye!... We believe you!... Let us adjourn!"
+
+"Let me ask Mr. Anderson one or two questions. If they can be answered
+to your satisfaction we shall accept his overtures. On the other hand
+let us dispense once and for all with this nefarious business and
+frustrate this insidious conspiracy so that we may renew our energies
+for the task before us which alone matters--the task of overcoming the
+enemy.
+
+"First! Who has financed the organization, equipment, transportation of
+this regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers?
+
+"Second: From what source or sources originated the various methods of
+blackmail?
+
+"Third: Who first suggested the cooperation of General Arnold?
+
+"Fourth: What pressure was brought to bear in the obtaining of the
+passport for the vessel to clear port?"
+
+
+III
+
+But there was no Anderson to give answer. It was found that he, together
+with Colonel Clifton and several members of the party, had disappeared
+from the room. No one had remembered seeing them take their departure,
+yet it was observed that they had left the platform in the course of
+Stephen's speech to take seats on the further side of the hall, near to
+the door. This might have opened and closed several times during
+Stephen's speech, and, more especially, at the time when they had
+crowded the aisles near the close of the address, and little or no
+attention would have been paid to it. Very likely Anderson had taken
+advantage of such an opportunity to make an escape.
+
+It was a very different room now. What had been a state of remarkable
+quiet with every man in his seat, with the conversation hardly above the
+tone of a whisper, with the uniform tranquillity disturbed solely by the
+remarks of the two speakers, was now giving way to a precipitous uproar
+which approached a riot. Men surged about one another and about Stephen
+in an endeavor to learn the details of the plot. Groups separated
+themselves from other equally detached groups, all absorbed, however, in
+the same topic. Voices, formerly hushed, now became vociferous. The
+walls reverberated with the tumultuous confusion.
+
+"What dupes!" one was remarking to his neighbor. "How easily were we led
+by his smooth talk!"
+
+"We were misguided in our motives of allegiance. We might have sensed a
+trick of the enemy," was the reply.
+
+"Let us win the war, first," shouted a third.
+
+"Aye! Freedom first; then religious liberty."
+
+"Who is he?" another asked. "It cannot be Cadwalader."
+
+"No," answered the neighbor. "This was prearranged. He borrowed
+Cadwalader's card to come here."
+
+"I always told you Arnold was no good," sounded a great voice. "He'd
+sell us to the devil if he could get paid for it. I suppose he'll go to
+New York sure."
+
+"Let him. Wish he was out of here."
+
+"Say!" one asked Stephen rather abruptly. "How did you get all this
+straight?"
+
+"I interested myself the moment the scheme took root. I assured myself
+that all was not as it should be and I took pains to verify my
+suspicions," was the grave reply.
+
+"I know, but how did ye get 'em?"
+
+"By following every move this Anderson made. I tracked him even to Mount
+Pleasant."
+
+"And got beforehand with Arnold?"
+
+"I overheard the major portion of the conversation."
+
+"Pardon me," asked another individual, neater in appearance than the
+majority, and evidently of more education, "but have I not seen you
+before?"
+
+"Perhaps you have," laughed Stephen.
+
+"Where?"
+
+"I could not begin to imagine."
+
+"Where do you live? In town?"
+
+"For the present, yes."
+
+"Who are you?"
+
+"Can't you see? Just one of you?"
+
+"Never saw you in those clothes before. If I am not greatly mistaken you
+are the one who came to the Coffee House one day with Matt. Allison."
+
+"Yes," admitted Stephen, "I am the same."
+
+"How did you come by those clothes?"
+
+"Borrowed them."
+
+"In disguise, eh?"
+
+"It was necessary to simulate a disguise. Otherwise I could never have
+gained admission here. I learned that Jim Cadwalader had been impressed
+into the company and I arranged to come in his place."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+"You took a mighty big risk."
+
+"It was required. But I knew that there was but one way of playing this
+game and that was to defeat them openly by their own tactics. I had to
+depend, of course, upon the temper of the proposed members. All might be
+lost or won at one throw of the dice. I worded my remarks to that
+effect, and I won."
+
+"What did you say your name was?"
+
+"I did not say what it was," Stephen exchanged in good-natured repartee,
+"but since you ask, it is Meagher."
+
+"Captain Meagher?"
+
+Stephen smiled.
+
+
+It must have been fully half-past nine when the meeting broke up; and
+that was at the departure of Stephen. He had lingered long enough to
+assure himself that the company was of a mind far different from that
+which had engaged them upon their arrival. They were now to go forth
+wiser men. But they knew that the people of the city could be moved
+quickly to indignation--as quickly, indeed, as they could be moved to
+favor. And how were they to explain their conduct? They resolved to lay
+the story with all its details before the very table of public opinion
+and allow that tribunal to discriminate between the shades of guilt.
+
+Anderson, of course, had fled. That in itself was a confession and a
+point in their favor. It was plain to their minds that they had been
+victimized by the clever machinations of this man. If there had been any
+lack of unity of opinion concerning the righteousness of the project
+before, there was no divided opinion now. They knew what they were about
+to do, and they made all possible haste to put their thought into
+execution.
+
+The ancient antipathy against the Military Governor was only intensified
+the more. Rumor would confirm the charges that would be published
+against him, of that they would take proper care. It was enough that
+they had been deluded by Anderson, but to be mere pawns in the hands of
+Arnold was more than they could stand. Too long had he been tolerated
+with his Tory wife and her manner of living, and now was an opportunity.
+Their path of duty was outlined before them.
+
+
+Thoroughly satisfied with his evening's work, Stephen turned down the
+street whistling softly to himself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX
+
+
+I
+
+"Come!" said Stephen in response to the soft knock upon his door panel.
+"Just a minute."
+
+He arose from his knees from the side of his bed. It was his custom to
+pray in this posture both morning and night; in the morning to thank his
+Lord for having brought him safely through the night and to offer Him
+all his prayers and works and sufferings of the day. At night to implore
+pardon for his shortcomings of the day and to commend himself into the
+hands of his Creator. This morning, however, the noise of heavy
+footsteps on the stairway had caused him to abbreviate somewhat his
+devotional exercise.
+
+"Come in!" he repeated as he slipped back the bolt and opened the door.
+"Oh! Good morning! You're out early. How are you?"
+
+He shook the hands of his early morning visitors warmly.
+
+"Fine morning!" replied Mr. Allison. "Sorry to have disturbed you, but
+Jim was around early and desired to see you."
+
+"Sure! No disturbance at all, I assure you. I was on the point of
+leaving for breakfast."
+
+"Go right ahead. Please don't delay on our account. We can wait. Go
+ahead," expostulated Mr. Allison.
+
+"We want'd t' be sure an' git ye, thet wuz all," remarked Jim. "Eat
+first. We'll be here when y' git back."
+
+"Sit down and make yourselves comfortable," and he arranged several
+chairs about the room. "I overslept, I fear. Last night taxed me."
+
+"You did justice to yourself and to us last night. The splendid result
+was your reward."
+
+They were seated, Jim by the window, Mr. Allison at Stephen's desk. The
+disorder of early morning was apparent in the room, the furniture
+disarranged and all manner of clothing, bed covering, wearing apparel,
+towels, piled or thrown carelessly about. No one seemed to mind it,
+however, for no one paused to rearrange it.
+
+"It wuz a big night. Tell us how did ye git along with 'em?" asked Jim.
+
+"Much better than I had anticipated," Stephen replied. "I thought that
+Anderson's talk had won them entirely, but when I asked for the floor, I
+saw at once that many were with me. Had you instructed them?" This
+question was directed towards Jim.
+
+"I did. I saw a doz'n at least. You know they had no use fur th' thing
+and were glad o' th' chance. I made a big secret out o' it, and they
+watch'd fur my ol' clothes."
+
+"I thought I felt their glances. They stuck true, you may be assured. I
+knew, too, that I possessed a reserve blow in the affair of the _Isis_.
+The mention of Arnold's name inflamed them."
+
+"I am sorry to have missed that," Mr. Allison said.
+
+"How did they avoid you?" Stephen asked.
+
+"I don't know. I was never approached although I had been acquainted
+with the rumors of the thing right along. I suppose they figured that I
+would threaten them with exposure. They knew where I stood; and then
+again they knew that they could threaten me with no debts. For some
+reason or other they thought best to avoid me."
+
+"I guess we killed it for good."
+
+"Kill'd it?" exclaimed Jim. "It's deader 'n a six-day corpse. An'
+there's great talk goin' on t'day on all th' corners. We're right wid
+th' peepul y' kin bet, and they thought best to avoid me."
+
+"Have you noticed any agitation?"
+
+"There has been a little disturbance," Mr. Allison admitted, "but no
+violence. It has been talk more than anything. Many are wondering who
+you are and how you obtained your information. Others are considerably
+taken back by the unveiling of Anderson. The greatest of respect is
+being shown to us on the street, and congratulations are being offered
+to us from all sides."
+
+"I am glad the sentiment has changed. It now looks like the dawn of a
+better day. We should be spurred on, however, to greater endeavor in the
+manifestation of our loyalty, especially among the minority Tory
+element."
+
+Outside, the street was beginning to feel the impulse of life. Over
+across, the buildings shone with the brightness of the morning sun which
+was reflected mildly from the glassy windows. There was a silent
+composure about it all, with no sound save the footfalls of the passing
+horse or the rattle of the business wagon. Somewhere across the street
+the man with the violin continued his fiddling.
+
+"Does that keep up all day?"
+
+"Almost! It is amusing to hear Griff swearing at him. The humorous part
+of it is that he plays but one tune, 'Yankee Doodle.'"
+
+"Can't ye steal it some night?" asked Jim, "an' bust it over 's head."
+
+"I don't care," laughed Stephen, "he doesn't bother me."
+
+The door opened and shut. Sergeant Griffin entered, saluted Stephen and
+took the hands of the visitors.
+
+"Well, what do you think of the boy?"
+
+"I alwa's said he wuz a good boy."
+
+"The fun hasn't begun yet," announced the Sergeant. "I have just learned
+that the City Council has met, and is about to issue formal charges
+against General Arnold."
+
+Stephen whistled.
+
+"They are glad of this opportunity," he announced quietly.
+
+"Reed never took kindly to him, not from the first day," declared Mr.
+Allison.
+
+"Well, if Reed gits after 'm he'll make the fur fly. He's a bad man when
+he gits goin'."
+
+"Did you say they had met?" Stephen inquired.
+
+"I understand they have. The affair of last night is being talked of
+freely on the street. And they are talking about you, most of all, and
+wonder if you had been sent by Washington to uncover this. One thing is
+certain: Arnold is in disgrace and the sooner he gets out of here the
+better it will be for him."
+
+"The General likes 'im and p'rhaps 'll give 'im a transf'r."
+
+"By the way!" interrupted Mr. Allison. "My girl wants to see you."
+
+"See me?" Stephen quickly repeated, pointing to himself.
+
+"She told me on leaving to tell you."
+
+"Very well. Is it urgent?"
+
+"No. I guess not. She didn't say it as if it were."
+
+"Tell her for me, I shall go as soon as I can."
+
+"What's th' next thin' t' do?" asked Jim.
+
+"Matters will take care of themselves for awhile," Stephen replied.
+"Anderson, I suppose, has left town together with Clifton and the
+others. If the City Council has met to publish charges against Arnold,
+there is nothing to do but await the result of these. The people, I
+presume, are of one mind now and if they are not they will soon be
+converted once the news of last night's affair has reached their ears."
+
+"Are you going to remain here?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"I am going to take some breakfast, first; then I shall busy myself with
+a report. I may be busy for several days away from the city. In the
+meantime I would advise that the whole affair be aired as much as
+possible. There is nothing like supplying the public mind with food.
+Meet me, Jim, at the Coffee House; or are you coming with me?"
+
+"Guess I'll go. This man wants t' eat."
+
+
+II
+
+The City Council did meet, as rumor announced to Sergeant Griffin, and
+immediately published charges against David Franks, the father of the
+aide-de-camp of the Military Governor, charging him with being in
+correspondence with his brother in London, who was holding the office of
+Commissary for British prisoners. He was ordered to be placed under
+immediate arrest. At the same time formal charges, partly of a military
+nature, partly of a civil, were preferred against the Military Governor.
+Copies of indictment were laid before Congress and before the Governors
+of the states, who were asked to communicate them to their respective
+legislatures.
+
+The press became wildly excited. Great headlines announced the startling
+news to the amazement of the country. For, it must be remembered,
+Philadelphia was the center of government and colonial life, and the
+eyes of the infant nation were turned continually in its direction.
+General Arnold's name soon became a subject for conversation on every
+side.
+
+None took the news more to heart than the General himself, as he sat in
+his great drawing-room with a copy of the evening news sheet before him.
+Being of an imaginative, impulsive nature it was natural for him to
+worry, but tonight there was the added feature of the revelation of his
+guilt. Reed had pursued him relentlessly, and the public announcement of
+his participation in the attempted formation of this detestable regiment
+only furnished the President of the Council with the opening he had so
+long desired. He re-read the charges preferred against him, his name
+across the front in big bold type. In substance they were as follows:
+
+First: That the Military Governor had issued a pass for a vessel
+employed by the enemy, to come into port without the knowledge of the
+State authorities or of the Commander-in-chief.
+
+Second: That upon taking possession of the city he had closed the shops
+and stores, preventing the public from purchasing, while at the same
+time, "as was believed," he had made considerable purchases for his own
+benefit.
+
+Third: That he imposed menial offices upon the militia when called into
+service.
+
+Fourth: That in a dispute over the capture of a prize brought in by a
+state privateer he had purchased the suit at a low and inadequate price.
+
+Fifth: That he had devoted the wagons of the state to transporting the
+private property of Tories.
+
+Sixth: That, contrary to law, he had given a pass to an unworthy person
+to go within the enemy's lines.
+
+Seventh: That the Council had been met with a disrespectful refusal when
+they asked him to explain the subject-matter of the Fifth charge.
+
+Eighth: That the patriotic authorities, both civil and military, were
+treated coldly and neglectfully, in a manner entirely different from his
+line of conduct towards the adherents of the king.
+
+A further account of the Council meeting was then given wherein it was
+stated that a motion had been made to suspend General Arnold from all
+command during the time the inquiry was being made into these
+accusations, but it had been voted down. Congress was asked, the story
+went on, to decide on the value of these charges and to refer them to
+the proper tribunal, the necessary amount of evidence being promised at
+the proper time.
+
+"The fools!" he muttered. "They think that these can hold water."
+
+He continued to read, and holding the paper at a distance from him,
+gazed at it.
+
+"What a shame! Every paper in the country will have this story before
+the week is out. I'm disgraced."
+
+He fell back in his chair with his head propped up by his elbow. In his
+other hand, thrown across the arm of the chair, was held the paper. His
+brows were contracted, his eyes closed, his face flushed in indication
+of the tumult that surged within him. His mind was engaged in a long
+process of thought which began with his memories of his early campaigns
+and traced themselves down to the events of the present moment. There
+was no decision, no constancy of resolution, no determination; just
+worry, and apprehension, and solicitude, and the loud, rapid beatings of
+his temple against his hand.
+
+"Suspend me! I'll forestall them, damn 'em. I'll resign first."
+
+He wondered where Anderson had gone or what fortune he had met with. The
+morning brought the first report of the disruption of the meeting and of
+the unknown person who had single-handed accomplished it. There must be
+a traitor somewhere, for no one save Anderson and himself had been
+initiated into the secret. Margaret knew, of course, but she could be
+trusted. Perhaps after all the man had escaped that night. Perhaps it
+was this very person who had created the furore at the meeting. Who was
+he? How did he get in? Why were proper steps not taken to safeguard the
+room against all possibilities of this nature? Bah! Anderson had bungled
+the thing from the start. He was a boy sent on a man's errand.
+
+The regiment was defunct. To speculate further on that subject would be
+futile. It never had existed, as far as he could see, except on paper,
+and there it remained, a mere potentiality. The single-handed disruption
+of it proved how utterly deprived it was of cohesion and organization.
+That one man, alone and in disguise, could have acquainted himself
+thoroughly with the whole proceeding, could have found his way with no
+attempt at interference into the meeting place, and with a few
+well-chosen words could have moved an entire audience to espouse the
+very contrary of their original purpose, indicated the stability and the
+temper of the assembly. To coerce men is a useless endeavor. Even the
+Almighty finds it well not to interfere with man's power of choice. They
+might be led or enticed or cajoled; but to force them, or intimidate
+them, or overwhelm them, is an idle and unavailing adventure.
+
+Anderson had failed miserably and his conspiracy had perished with him.
+Not a prominent Catholic had been reached in the first place; not a
+member of the poorest class would now leave the city. The affair with
+its awful disclosures only added strength to their position, for
+whatever aspersions might have been cast upon their loyalty in the event
+of the successful deportation of the company, were now turned like a
+boomerang against the very ones who had engineered the scheme. The
+community would respect the Catholics more for the future. They were to
+profit by his undoing. They would be valued for the test that their
+patriotism had stood.
+
+There was another consideration, however, which wore a graver complexion
+and tormented him beyond endurance. This was the solicitude for his own
+safety. The people had hated him for years and had proceeded to invent
+stories about him which might justify its anger. It had been a
+satisfaction for him to reflect that, for the most part, these stories
+had not been the causes, but rather the effects of public indignation.
+But what answer could he make now, what apology could he offer for this
+late transaction, this conspiracy at once so evident and palpable? As
+far as the question of his guilt was concerned there would be little
+conjecture about that. Ten or twenty accounts of the venture,
+inconsistent with one another and with themselves, would be circulated
+simultaneously. Of that he had no doubt. People would neither know nor
+care about the evidence. It was enough that he had been implicated.
+
+He would ask for a court-martial. That, of course. Through no other
+tribunal could a just and a satisfactory decision be reached, and it was
+paramount that another verdict besides that pronounced by public opinion
+be obtained. Unquestionably, he would be acquitted. His past service,
+his influence, his character would prove themselves determining factors
+during his trial. Fully one-half of the charges were ridiculous and
+would be thrown out of court as incontestable, and of the remainder only
+one would find him technically culpable. Still it were better for a
+court to decide upon these matters, and to that end he decided to
+request a general court-martial.
+
+
+III
+
+"You have removed your uniform?" Peggy asked in surprise as she beheld
+him entering the doorway of the drawing-room.
+
+"Yes," was the solemn reply. "I am no longer a confederate of France."
+
+He limped slowly across the room, leaning on his cane. He had laid aside
+his buff and blue uniform, with the epaulets and sword knots, and was
+clad in a suit of silken black. His hose and shoes were of the same
+color, against which his blouse, cuffs and periwig were emphasized, a
+pale white.
+
+"But you are still a Major-General," she corrected.
+
+"I was; but am no longer. I have resigned."
+
+She started at the announcement. Obviously she had not anticipated this
+move.
+
+"You have resigned? When?"
+
+"I wrote the letter a short time ago. I precluded their designs."
+
+He sat in his great chair, and, reaching for his stool, placed his foot
+upon it.
+
+"But ... I ... I don't understand."
+
+"I do perfectly. I shall be tried by court-martial, of course; they have
+moved already to suspend me pending the course of my trial. I want to
+anticipate any such possibility, that is all."
+
+"But you will be reinstated?"
+
+"I don't know,--nor care," he added.
+
+"And what about us, our home, our life here," she asked with a marked
+concern.
+
+"Oh! That will go on. This is your house, remember, if it comes to the
+worst; you are mistress here. This is your home."
+
+"If it comes to the worst? To what?"
+
+"Well, if I should be found guilty ... and ... sentenced."
+
+"I should not stay here a minute," she cried, stamping her foot. "Not
+one minute after the trial! In this town? With that element? Not for an
+hour!"
+
+"Well!" he exclaimed, making a gesture with both hands, together with a
+slight shrug of the shoulders.
+
+"Where is Anderson?" she asked quickly.
+
+"In New York, I presume, ere this. I have not seen him."
+
+"Fled?"
+
+"The only proper thing. It's a great wonder to me that he escaped at
+all. I should have expected him torn to pieces by that mob."
+
+"A bungled piece of business. I imagined that he was assured of success.
+A sorry spectacle to allow them to slip from his grasp so easily."
+
+"Margaret, you do not understand a mob. They are as fickle as a
+weather-cock. The least attraction sways them."
+
+"Who did it? Have you yet learned?"
+
+"No. A bedraggled loafer, gifted with more talk than occupation. He was
+acquainted with the whole scheme from beginning to end, and worked upon
+their feelings with evidences of treason. The sudden mention of my name
+in connection with the plot threw cold water on the whole business. They
+were on their feet in an instant."
+
+"You are quite popular," was the taunt.
+
+"Evidently. The pass inspired them. It would defeat any purpose, and
+Anderson must have sensed it and taken his hurried departure. No one has
+since heard or seen aught of him."
+
+"He was a fool to drag you into this, and you were as great a fool to
+allow it."
+
+"Margaret, don't chide me in that manner. I did what I thought best. But
+I'm through now with these cursed Catholics and with France."
+
+"You are a free man now," she murmured.
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"I mean that this court-martial relieves you of any further obligation
+to the colonies," was the answer.
+
+"But I may still be Second in command."
+
+She paused to regard him. Did he continue to cherish ambitions of this
+nature; or was he attempting to jest with her?
+
+"You seem to forget Gates and the Congress," she said with manifest
+derision.
+
+"No. In spite of them."
+
+She lost all patience.
+
+"Listen! Don't flatter yourself any longer. Your cause is hopeless, as
+hopeless as the cause for which the stupid colonists are contending. You
+are now free to put an end to this strife. Go over to the enemy and
+persuade Washington and the leaders of the revolt to discuss terms."
+
+"Impossible!"
+
+"What is impossible? Simply announce your defection; accept the terms of
+His Majesty's government; and invite Adams, Franklin, Jefferson,
+Hamilton and Washington to meet you. There is the assurance of all save
+complete independence."
+
+"I shall wait."
+
+"For what? The court-martial will be against you from the start. Mark my
+words. You will be found guilty, if not actually, at least technically.
+They are determined upon revenge and they are going to have it. You saw
+the paper?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"You read the list of charges?"
+
+He did not answer. He had sunk into his chair and his hands were clasped
+before him. He was engaged in a detailed series of thought.
+
+"How many of them were artificial? Except for the first, that about the
+pass, none are worth the reading, and the first never can be proved.
+They have no evidence apart from the fanatical ravings of a drunken
+Catholic. But wait! You shall be adjudged guilty in the end. See if I am
+not correct."
+
+"I have the right to question the composition of the court!"
+
+"What matter! You know the people detest you. They have hated you from
+the moment you set foot in this city. Every issue of the paper found
+some new grievance against you. And when you married me the bomb was
+exploded. You yourself know that it was the mere fact of your
+participation in this scheme that quelled it. They loathe you, I tell
+you. They hate you."
+
+Silence reigned in the room as she finished. His eyes were closed and he
+gave every appearance of having fallen into a deep sleep. His mind was
+keenly alert, however, and digested every word she uttered. At length he
+arose from his composure and limped to the window at the further end of
+the room.
+
+"I shall ask for a new command," he said quietly, "and we shall be
+removed for all time from this accursed place. I shall do service
+again."
+
+"Better to await developments. Attend to your trial first. Plan for the
+future later."
+
+"I shall obey the wishes of the people."
+
+"The people! A motley collection of fools! They have eyes and ears but
+no more. They know everything and can do nothing."
+
+"I don't know what to do. I...."
+
+"I told you what to do," she interrupted his thought and finished it for
+him. "I told you to join Anderson. I told you to go to New York and make
+overtures to General Clinton. That's what you should do. Seek respect
+and power and honor for your old age."
+
+"That I shall not do. Washington loves me and my people will not desert
+me to my enemies. The court-martial is the thing."
+
+"As you say. But remember my prophecy."
+
+He turned and again sought his chair. She arose to assist him into it.
+
+"I wonder who that fellow could be! He knew it all."
+
+"Did you not hear?"
+
+"No. I have seen no one who could report to me. The details were
+missing."
+
+"Did you ever stop to think of the spy in the garden?"
+
+"I did."
+
+"That was the man, I am sure. You know his body has not been found, and
+if I am not mistaken, it was present at that meeting hall."
+
+"We shall learn of his identity. We shall learn."
+
+"Too late! Too late!"
+
+He again dozed off while she watched him. For several minutes they sat
+in this manner until she stole out of the room and left him alone. Soon
+he was wrapped in the arms of a gentle slumber. Some time later she
+aroused him.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X
+
+
+I
+
+A fortnight later there came to the Allison home a messenger from
+Stephen in the person of Sergeant Griffin. He appeared at the doorway
+just as the shroud of eventide was being enfolded about the landscape,
+changing its hues of green and gray to the more somber ones of blue or
+purple; just at the time when the indoor view of things is about to be
+made apparent only by the artificial beams of the tallow and dip.
+
+"Hail!" he said; "I have business with Matthew Allison."
+
+"From Stephen?" Marjorie asked with evident interest.
+
+He shook his head.
+
+"The trial----"
+
+"Oh!" exclaimed Marjorie. Plainly she was relieved at the nature of the
+message. Then she turned.
+
+"Father!" she called.
+
+"I am coming directly," cried Mr. Allison from the rear.
+
+She had clear forgotten to invite the sergeant into the room, so
+absorbed was she in the nature of the business at hand. Expectancy
+breeds cowardice. When great issues are at stake every act wears an
+awful meaning. For this reason she stood transfixed at the threshold,
+before this unexpected arrival, whom she associated with the image of
+Stephen. With the sudden and delightful lessening of her anxiety,
+however, she bethought herself.
+
+"Won't you come in? It was stupid of me not to have asked you before."
+
+The sergeant acted promptly. Marjorie followed at a little distance, but
+had no sooner entered the room herself than her father came through the
+other door.
+
+"What news? Arnold?"
+
+"Found guilty," was the response.
+
+"The court-martial has come to an end?" asked the girl.
+
+"Yes, Miss. And he has been found guilty," he repeated.
+
+"I thought so," muttered Mr. Allison.
+
+They were seated now in the parlor, the two men at opposite ends of the
+table, the girl at the side of the room.
+
+"They met at Morristown?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"Yes. At Norris' Tavern. Major-General Howe was chairman of the court.
+Only four charges were pressed for trial: the matter of the pass; the
+affair of the wagons; the shops; and the imposition upon the militia."
+
+"And Arnold?"
+
+"He managed his own trial, and conducted his own cross-examination. He
+made an imposing spectacle as he limped before the court. The sword
+knots of Washington were about his waist and he took pains to allude to
+them several times during the defense. It was astonishing to hear his
+remarkable flow of language and his display of knowledge of military
+law. He created a wonderful impression."
+
+"He was found guilty, you say?" interposed Mr. Allison.
+
+"Technically guilty of one charge and imprudent in another," was the
+deliberate reply.
+
+"And sentenced?"
+
+"To receive a reprimand from the Commander-in-chief."
+
+Mr. Allison assented by a move of his head.
+
+"How did he take it?" he then asked. "I cannot imagine his proud nature
+to yield readily to rebuke."
+
+The visitor thought for a moment.
+
+"His face was ashen pale; there was a haggard look upon it; the eyes
+were marked with deep circles and his step faltered as he turned on his
+heel and, without a word, made his way from the court room."
+
+"Were you present at the trial?" Marjorie inquired.
+
+"Yes, Miss Allison."
+
+"Was Stephen?"
+
+"No." The sergeant answered mildly, smiling as he did so.
+
+Marjorie smiled, too.
+
+"Tell me," Mr. Allison asked. "Was the evidence conclusive?"
+
+"The _Isis_ occupied the court to some length. It was contended that
+General Arnold had issued the pass with evil intent. The affair of the
+regiment was referred to in connection with this, but no great stress
+was brought to bear upon it because of the fear of arousing a possible
+prejudice in the minds of the court. That fact was introduced solely as
+a motive."
+
+Allison shook his head again.
+
+"It was proved," the sergeant continued, "that the _Isis_ was a
+Philadelphia schooner, manned by Philadelphia men, and engaged in the
+coastwise trade. The pass itself was introduced as an exhibit, to
+support the contention that the General, while Military Governor, had
+given military permission for the vessel to leave the harbor of
+Philadelphia for the port of New York, then in possession of the enemy."
+
+"That was proved?"
+
+"Yes, sir."
+
+"Was the Regiment alluded to?"
+
+"Yes. But at no great length."
+
+"And the pass?"
+
+"It was there. The Regiment was the motive for the pass. The affair of
+the recruiting was scarcely mentioned."
+
+There was an abrupt silence.
+
+"What was the next charge?" Mr. Allison asked.
+
+"That of the wagons."
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The prosecution made a strong point. Jesse Jordan was introduced.
+Testimony was given by him to the effect that he himself had drawn back
+a train of twelve wagons loaded with stores from Egg Harbor."
+
+"Where?"
+
+"Egg Harbor. Where the traffic between the British Army and the Tories
+of the city was carried on."
+
+"Was this sustained?"
+
+"The General denied most of the accusation, but he was found imprudent
+in his actions. In regard to the other two charges, that of the shops
+and that of the militia, absolute acquittal was decided. The verdict was
+announced the following morning and the sentence was published
+immediately after adjournment."
+
+"He was sentenced to be reprimanded, you tell me?"
+
+"Yes. By General Washington."
+
+"That will break Arnold's heart. He will never endure it."
+
+"Others were obliged to endure it," sounded a soft voice.
+
+"Yes, I know," replied the father of the girl. "But you do not know
+General Arnold. Undoubtedly the city has the news."
+
+"Yes," said the sergeant. "I have told several. All know it ere this."
+
+
+II
+
+And what subject could possibly afford more of concern or consequence to
+the city folk than the court-martial of General Arnold! Those of the
+upper class, because of their intimate association with the man; those
+of the middle class, interested more or less in the great significance
+attached to the event itself and the influence it would exert upon the
+future; those of the lower class because of their supreme contempt for
+the erstwhile Military Governor and the biased manner of his
+administration, all, without exception, found themselves manifesting an
+uncommon interest in the progress and the issue of the trial.
+
+It was commonly known that General Arnold had requested a court-martial;
+but it was not so commonly understood that the matter of his guilt,
+especially his collusion with the Catholic Regiment and the matter of
+its transportation, was so intricate or profound. Stephen's speech at
+the meeting house had given the public the first inkling of the
+Governor's complicity in the affair; still this offense had been
+condoned by the many, as usually happens with the crimes of great men
+who occupy stations of honor, whose misdemeanors are often enshrouded
+and borne away into oblivion beneath the veil of expediency and interest
+of the common weal. A court-martial would indeed take place; but its
+verdict would be one of absolute acquittal.
+
+To hold court at some neutral post was just. No charge of unfairness
+could then be lodged. Nor could the personnel of the court be regarded
+as hostile to the accused, for the latter had already raised an
+objection to its composition which had been sustained and heeded. The
+charges were dealt with fairly, only four of the eight counts in the
+original indictment being allowed to come within the jurisdiction of a
+military tribunal. Even the General was permitted to conduct his own
+trial and every courtesy and attention was granted him.
+
+Only two charges bore any evidence of guilt. The pass was issued with
+deliberate intent. That was proved by the testimony of several witnesses
+as well as by the introduction of the pass itself. Arnold defended
+himself on the ground that there were no authorities in the city of New
+York to be offended by the entrance of the vessel, and also the fact
+that since the Commander-in-chief had lodged no complaint over the
+alleged offense to his dignity, it was logical to infer that His
+Excellency took no offense at the order. In regard to the charge of
+misuse of the government wagons, it was revealed that traffic had been
+carried on between Egg Harbor and the city of Philadelphia, and that
+full loads had been delivered to several private families of the city.
+Arnold denied any knowledge of the destination of these wagons, although
+he was aware that they were being used.
+
+His defense, it was learned, consisted of a long plea, in which he
+rehearsed in detail the leading events of his life. He was fond of
+alluding to his past and entertained no diffidence whatsoever in regard
+to his own abilities. He hoped thereby to impress the court and to
+intimidate them.
+
+The charges he denounced as false, malicious, and scandalous, inspired
+solely by motives of animosity and revenge. He was not accustomed to
+carry on a warfare with women, he told the court, nor did he ever bask
+in the sunshine of any one's favor. Honorable acquittal of all the
+charges brought against him was pleasantly expected by him and he looked
+forward to the day when he might share again with his fellow-soldiers
+the glory and the dangers of the war.
+
+But he was not acquitted, and the verdict of the court came no less as a
+surprise to the people of the city and of the nation than to the General
+himself. The following morning they met to pronounce the verdict and
+they found that on the first charge Major General Arnold had exceeded
+his rights in giving permission for a vessel to leave port without the
+knowledge of the City Authorities or of the Commander-in-chief; and as
+such he was found to have violated technically Article Five, Section
+Eighteen of the American Articles of War. The second and third charges
+were dismissed, but he was found to have been imprudent in his temporary
+use of the wagons. Because of his guilt on these two counts he was
+sentenced to receive a reprimand from His Excellency, the
+Commander-in-chief.
+
+He left the court room without a word.
+
+
+III
+
+"It is precisely what I fear most," Mr. Allison said. "If he curried
+less the favor of the public, little or naught would come of it, and the
+reprimand would end the case. But you know Arnold is a conceited man;
+one who carries his head high. Better to deprive him of life itself than
+to apply vinegar and gall to his parched lips."
+
+"His return will be hard," Sergeant Griffin observed. He, too, knew the
+character of the man.
+
+"I doubt if he will return. He has resigned, you know, and may dislike
+the sight of the city which witnessed his misfortune. Still this is his
+home and a man's heart is in his home regardless of its environment."
+
+"Do not forget Peggy," Marjorie reminded them. "I know she will never
+consent to live in the city. I know it. Dear me! The shame of it all
+would confuse her."
+
+"She might become accustomed to it," replied her father. "All school
+themselves to the mutations of life."
+
+"Not Peggy. I know her. She will not forgive. Why, I recall quite
+vividly the violence of her temper and the terror of her wrath. Her own
+aunt, with whom she was staying for a brief space, took occasion to
+reprove her for a slight indiscretion. Peggy resented the correction
+fiercely, and leaving the house at once vowed she never would set foot
+into it again. That was seven years ago. She has, to my knowledge, never
+violated that pledge."
+
+Her father shook his head.
+
+"I see it all quite clearly," continued Marjorie. "The General will
+resent the wrong; Peggy will nurture a fierce indignation. Whatever
+thoughts of revenge will come to his mind she will ably promote. Have a
+care to her; her wrath will know no mitigation."
+
+"He never expected the verdict," the sergeant remarked.
+
+"How did he appear?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"Splendid. As he entered the court he laughed and jested with several
+officers with all the self-possession of one of the eye-witnesses.
+Flashes of the old-time energy and courage were manifest at intervals.
+There was jubilation displayed on his every feature."
+
+"He was jocose, you say?"
+
+"Extremely so."
+
+"Was this before the trial?"
+
+"Yes. As he entered the Tavern."
+
+"Was Peggy with him?"
+
+"No, indeed. It was not permissible for her to enter. She awaited him
+outside."
+
+"And yet he maintained his composure throughout."
+
+"He seemed to take delight in relating the resolutions of Congress, its
+thanks, its gifts, for the many campaigns and the brilliant services
+rendered his country. His promotions, his horse, his sword, his epaulets
+and sword-knots, all were recounted and recited enthusiastically."
+
+Mr. Allison looked at Marjorie and smiled.
+
+"Only once did he lose his self-possession. Near the end of his plea he
+forgot himself and called his accusers a lot of 'women.' This produced a
+smile throughout the court room; then he regained his composure."
+
+He paused.
+
+"That was all?" asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"I think so. The court adjourned for the day. On the following morning
+the verdict was announced. I came here direct."
+
+When he had finished he sat quite still. It was approaching a late hour
+and he saw that he had overstayed his leave. Still the gravity of the
+occasion required it.
+
+It was these thoughts regarding the future, far more than any great
+poignancy of grief respecting General Arnold and his present misfortune,
+that affected this small group. It seemed to them that the events which
+had of late happened were not without grave and serious consequence.
+General Arnold was a man of prominence and renown. To lead such a figure
+to the bar of justice and to examine and determine there in a definite
+manner his guilt before the whole world was a solemn piece of business.
+It meant that the new republic was fearless in its denunciation of
+wrong; that it was intent upon the exercise of those precepts of justice
+and equity which were written into the bill of rights, the violation of
+which by a foreign power had constituted originally a set of true
+grievances; and that it was actuated by a solemn resolution never to
+permit within its own borders the commission of any of those wrongs
+which it had staked its life and consecrated its purpose as a nation to
+destroy. General Arnold was a big man, generous in service to his
+country, honored as one of its foremost sons, but he was no bigger than
+the institution he was helping to rear. The chastisement inflicted upon
+him was a reflection upon the state; but it also was a medication for
+its own internal disorders.
+
+The fact that the ruling powers of the city were bitterly opposed to the
+Military Governor was not wholly indicative of the pulse of the people.
+General Arnold was ever regarded with the highest esteem by the members
+of the army. A successful leader, a brave soldier, a genial comrade, he
+was easily the most beloved general after General Washington. With the
+citizen body of Philadelphia he was on fairly good terms,--popular
+during the early days of his administration, although somewhat offensive
+of late because of his indiscretion and impetuosity. Still he was not
+without his following, and whereas he had made himself odious to a great
+number of people by his manner of life and of command, there were a
+greater number of people who were ready to condone his faults out of
+regard for his brilliant services in the past.
+
+His enemies gloated over his misfortune. Everybody believed that, and it
+was commonly understood that General Arnold believed it, too. But would
+he overcome his enemies by retrieving the past and put to shame their
+vulgar enthusiasm by rising to heights of newer and greater glory? Or
+would he yield to the more natural propensities of retaliation or
+despair? A man is no greater than the least of his virtues; but he who
+has acquired self-control has founded a virtuous inheritance.
+
+With thoughts of this nature were the trio occupied. For several minutes
+no one spoke. Mr. Allison leaned against the table, his right arm
+extended along its side, playing with a bodkin that lay within reach;
+the sergeant sat in silence, watching the face of his entertainer; while
+Marjorie lolled in her great chair, her eyes downcast, heavy, like two
+great weights. At length Sergeant Griffin made as if to go. Marjorie
+arose at once to bid him adieu.
+
+"You said you came direct?" she reminded him.
+
+"Yes, Miss Allison."
+
+"You saw----" she hesitated, but quickly added, "Captain Meagher?"
+
+She would have said "Stephen" but bethought herself.
+
+"No, Miss. Not since the trial."
+
+"He was not present?"
+
+"No. He is with His Excellency. Several days ago I saw him and he bade
+me come here with the report of the finding."
+
+"That was all?"
+
+"Yes, Miss."
+
+"Thank you. We can never repay your kindness."
+
+"Its performance was my greatest delight."
+
+"Thank you. Good night!"
+
+She withdrew into the hall.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI
+
+
+I
+
+More sin is attributed to the ruling passion of a man than to the
+forbidden pleasures of the world, or the violent assaults of the Evil
+One. Under its domination and tyranny the soul suffers shipwreck and
+destruction on the rocks of despair and final impenitence. It frequently
+lies buried beneath the most imperturbable countenance, manifesting
+itself only at times, often on the occasion of some unusual joy or
+sadness. It responds to one antidote; but the antidote requires a man of
+coarse fiber for its self-administration.
+
+In this respect General Arnold was not a strong man. If he had acted
+upon himself wholly from without, as if he were not himself, and had
+cultivated a spirit of humility and abnegation of self, together with a
+considerateness and softness of manner towards those at whose hands he
+had suffered, he would have stifled his pangs of wounded pride and
+self-love, and emerged a victor over himself in the contest. He might
+have recognized his own imperfections to a tolerable degree which would
+have disinclined him to censoriousness, not to say rashness. By
+maintaining an evenness of temper and equality of spirits during the
+days of his sore affliction, he might have reconsidered his decisions of
+haste and ultimate disaster, and be led to the achievement of newer and
+nobler triumphs.
+
+But he did not. Instead he gave way at once to a violence of anger which
+was insurmountable. There was engendered within him feelings of revenge
+of the most acrid nature. His self-love had been humiliated and crushed
+before the eyes of a garrulous world. His vanity and his prestige had
+been ground in the dust. There was no consideration save the
+determination for an immediate and effectual revenge.
+
+"Don't worry, my dear," Peggy had whispered to him on the way home. "Try
+not to think of it."
+
+"Think of it?... God! I'll show them. They'll pay for this."
+
+Apart from that he had not spoken to her during the entire journey.
+Morose, sullen, brutal, he had nursed his anger until his countenance
+fairly burned from the tension within. He slammed the door with
+violence; he tore the epaulets from his shoulders and threw them beyond
+the bed; he ripped his coat and kicked it across the floor. No! He would
+not eat. He wanted to be alone. Alone with himself, alone with his
+wrath, alone with his designs for revenge.
+
+"The cowards! And I trusted them."
+
+He could not understand his guilt. There was no guilt, only the
+insatiable lust on the part of his enemies for vengeance. The execution
+came first, then the trial. There was no accusation; he had been
+condemned from the start. The public, at whose hands he had long
+suffered, who reviled and oppressed him with equal vehemence, who had
+elevated him to the topmost niche of glory, and as promptly crumbled the
+column beneath his feet and allowed him to crash to the ground, now
+gloated over their ruined and heartbroken victim with outrageous
+jubilation. They were on destruction bent, and he the victim of their
+stupid spite.
+
+If he could not understand his culpability, neither could he apprehend
+fully and vividly the meaning of his sentence. To be reprimanded by the
+Commander-in-chief! Better to be found guilty by the court and inflicted
+with the usual military discipline. His great sense of pride could not,
+would not suffer him to be thus humiliated at the hands of him from whom
+he had previously been rewarded with so many favors, and in whom he had
+lodged his most complete esteem and veneration. He could not endure it,
+that was all; and what was more he would not.
+
+He decided to leave the city forever. Then the howl of contumely could
+not pursue him; it would grow faint with the distance. He was no longer
+Military Governor, and never would he reassume that thankless burden. He
+would retire to private life far removed from the savage envy of these
+aspiring charlatans. Unhappy memories and wretched degradation would
+close his unhappy days and shroud his name with an unmerited and unjust
+obloquy.
+
+His wife had been correct in her prognostications. The court, like the
+public mind, which it only feebly reflected, had been prejudiced against
+him from the start. The disgust which he entertained of the French
+Alliance was only intensified the more by the recent proceedings of
+Congress, and perhaps he might listen more attentively now to her
+persuasions to go over to the British side. He would be indemnified, of
+course; but it was revenge he was seeking, on which account he would not
+become an ordinary deserter. He had been accustomed to playing heroic
+roles, and he would not become a mere villain now at this important
+juncture. This blundering Congress would be overwhelmed by the part he
+would play in his new career, and he would carry back in triumph his
+country to its old allegiance.
+
+Gradually his anger resolved itself into vindictive machination, which
+grew in intensity as it occupied him the more. He might obtain the
+command of the right wing of the American army, and at one stroke
+accomplish what George Monk had achieved for Charles the Second. It was
+not so heinous a crime to change sides in a civil war, and history has
+been known to reward the memory of those who performed such daring and
+desperate exploits. His country will have benefited by his signal
+effort, and his enemies routed at the same time in the shame of their
+own confusion. He would open negotiations with Sir Henry Clinton over an
+assumed name to test the value of his proposals.
+
+"They'll pay me before I am through. I shall endure in history, with the
+Dukes of Albemarle and Marlborough."
+
+As he mused over the condition of affairs and the possibilities of the
+situation, he wandered into the great room, where he saw two letters
+lying on the center table. Picking them up, he saw that one was
+addressed to Mrs. Arnold, the other to himself. He tore open his letter
+and read the signature. It bore the name of John Anderson.
+
+
+II
+
+The writer went on to say that he had arrived in safety in the city of
+New York, after a hurried and forced departure from Philadelphia. The
+meeting was terminated in a tumult because of the deliberate and
+fortunate appeal of an awkward mountebank, who was possessed with a fund
+of information which was fed to the crowd both skillfully and
+methodically; and by the successful coupling of the name of General
+Arnold with the proposed plot, had overwhelmed the minds of the assembly
+completely.
+
+He revealed the fact that the members of the court had already bound
+themselves in honor to prefer charges against General Arnold in order
+that the powerful Commonwealth of Pennsylvania might be placated. He did
+not know the result of the trial, but predicted that there would be but
+one verdict and that utterly regardless of the evidence.
+
+"Hm!" muttered Arnold to himself.
+
+The British Government, he added, was already in communication with the
+American Generals, with the exception of Washington, and was desirous of
+opening correspondence with General Arnold. Every one knew that he was
+the bravest and the most deserving of the American leaders and should be
+the Second in Command of the rebel forces. The British knew, too, of the
+indignities which had been heaped upon him by an unappreciative and
+suspicious people, and they recommended that some heroic deed be
+performed by him in the hope of bringing this unnecessary and bloody
+contest to a close.
+
+Seven thousand pounds would be offered at once, together with an equal
+command, in the army of His Majesty, and with a peerage in the realm. In
+return he would be asked to exert his influence in favor of an amicable
+adjustment of the difficulties between the colonies and the mother
+country. General Clinton was ready to begin negotiations after the
+advice and under the conditions proposed by General Arnold, which might
+be interchanged by means of a correspondence maintained with a certain
+ambiguity.
+
+"Egad!" He set his lips; then he turned to the beginning of the
+paragraph. The offer was interesting.
+
+Anderson then went on to relate what already had been suggested to him
+during the night of their conversation in the park at his magnificent
+home, the exigencies of the country, the opportunity for a master stroke
+at the hands of a courageous man, who would unite His Majesty's people
+under a common banner, and who might command thereby the highest honors
+of life.
+
+He reminded him that it was possible to obtain a command of the right
+wing of the American Army, a post only commensurate with his ability,
+which command might be turned against the rebel forces in the hope that
+an immediate end might be made of the fratricidal war. There would be no
+humiliating peace terms. There would be no indemnities, no reprisals, no
+annexations nor disavowals. The principles for which the colonists
+contended would be granted, with the sole exception of complete
+independence. They would have their own Parliament; they would be
+responsible for their own laws, their own taxes, their own trade. It
+would be a consummation devoutly desired by both parties, and the
+highest reward and honor awaited the American General who bound himself
+to the effectual realization of these views.
+
+"Announce your defection, return to the royal cause, agree to the terms
+which His Majesty's peace commissioners will make, and earn the
+everlasting gratitude of your countrymen, like Monk and Churchill."
+
+So the letter concluded with the humble respects and obediences of John
+Anderson. Arnold did not fold it, but continued to stare at it for
+several minutes, as if trying to decide upon some definite course of
+action in regard to it. At length he arose and limped to the desk, and,
+drawing out from its small drawer several sheets of paper, began his
+reply.
+
+But he did not conclude it. Hearing footfalls in the hallway, he hastily
+folded the several papers, Anderson's letter included, and stuck them
+into his breast pocket. He sat motionless, with the pen poised in his
+hand, as Peggy entered.
+
+
+III
+
+"You here?" she asked.
+
+He did not reply, nor make any movement.
+
+"Another resignation? or applying for a new command?"
+
+He now turned full about and faced her.
+
+"No. I was just thinking."
+
+"Of what?"
+
+She stood before him, her arms akimbo.
+
+"Of many things. First of all we must leave here."
+
+"When?"
+
+"I don't know."
+
+"Well then, where?"
+
+"To New York."
+
+"Do you mean it?"
+
+Now she sat down, pulling a chair near to him in order that she might
+converse the more readily.
+
+"I am thinking of writing for a new command in the army."
+
+He thought best not to tell her of his original purpose in writing, nor
+of the letter which he had received from Anderson. Whatever foul schemes
+he may have concocted, he did not desire to acquaint her with their full
+nature. Enough for her to know that he intended to defect without her
+being a party to the plot.
+
+"Did I interrupt you? Pardon me!" she made as if to go.
+
+"Stay. That can wait. You were right. They were against me."
+
+"I felt it all the time. You know yourself how they despise you."
+
+"But I never thought----"
+
+"What?" was the interruption. "You never thought? You did, but you were
+not man enough to realize it. Reed would stop at nothing, and if the
+colonists gain complete independence, the Catholic population will give
+you no peace. That you already know. You have persecuted them."
+
+"What are they? A bare twenty or twenty-five thousand out of a
+population of, let us say, three million."
+
+"No matter. They will grow strong after the war. Unfortunately they have
+stuck true to the cause."
+
+"Bah! I despise them. It is the others, the Congress, Lincoln, Gates,
+Lee, Wayne. They will acquire the honors. Washington will be king."
+
+"And you?"
+
+"I'm going to change my post."
+
+She smiled complacently, and folded her arms.
+
+"Under Washington?"
+
+She knew better, but she made no attempt to conceal her feigned
+simplicity.
+
+He looked at her without comment.
+
+Whether he shrunk from unfolding to her the sickening details of his
+despicable plan, or whether he judged it sufficient for her to know only
+the foul beginnings of his treason without being initiated into its
+wretched consummation; whether it was due to any of these reasons or
+simply to plain indifference or perhaps to both, he became unusually
+silent on this subject from this moment onward. It was enough for her to
+realize that he had been shabbily treated by the Congress and by the
+people, that he had long considered the American cause hopeless and had
+abandoned his interest in it on account of the recent alliance with the
+government of France. In her eyes he thought it would be heroic for him
+to resign his command, and even to defect to the side of the enemy on
+these grounds,--on the strength of steadfastly adhering to his ancient
+principles. He knew well that she had counseled such a step and was
+enthusiastic in urging its completion, nevertheless he sensed that the
+enormity and the depravity of his base design was too revolting, too
+shocking, for even her ears. He would not even acquaint her with
+Anderson's letter nor with the purpose he had of concurring with the
+proposition it contained.
+
+"Did you receive a letter from Anderson?" she asked suddenly.
+
+"Yes. He wrote to inform me that he had escaped in safety and is now in
+New York."
+
+"No more?"
+
+"No. He did comment on the frustration of the plot, and expressed a
+desire to learn the identity of the disturber."
+
+"You will tell him?"
+
+"Later. Not now."
+
+There was a pause.
+
+"Do you intend to take active part in the coming campaigns? You know
+your leg will prevent you from leading a strenuous life in the field.
+Why not ask for some other post, or retire to private life? I want to
+get out of this city."
+
+"I am about to write for a new command. I have one friend left in the
+person of His Excellency, and he will not leave me 'naked to mine
+enemies,' as the great Wolsey once said."
+
+"But he is to reprimand you," she reminded him.
+
+"No matter. That is his duty. I blame the people and the court which was
+enslaved to them for my humiliation. They shall pay for it, however."
+
+"Let us leave together. Announce your desire of joining arms with the
+British and let us set out at once for New York. Mr. Anderson will take
+care of the details. You know his address?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"You have fought the war alone; end it alone. Settle your claims with
+the government and let us sell our house."
+
+"Our house? This is yours, Margaret, and, by God, they shall not deprive
+you of it. No! We will not sell our house. This is yours for life, and
+our children's."
+
+"Well, we can rent it for the present. For, if you go, I am going, too."
+
+"Very well. We shall see what the future holds out for us. Give me that
+stool."
+
+He pointed to the small chair over against her. She arose at once and
+set it before him. He placed his foot upon it.
+
+"When I think of what I have done for them and then compare their
+gratitude. Congress must owe me at least six or seven thousand pounds,
+not to mention my life's blood which never can be replaced. I have been
+a fool, a fool who does not know his own mind."
+
+"Didn't I predict what the outcome would be? I felt this from the moment
+Anderson left. And what were you charged with? A technical violation of
+the code of war. There was no actual guilt nor any evidence in support
+of the charge. Were the least shadow of a fault in evidence, you may be
+assured that it would have been readily found. You were innocent of the
+charge. But you were technically guilty that they might plead excuse for
+their hate."
+
+"I know it, girl ... I know it ... I see it all now. I tried hard to
+disbelieve it." He seemed sad, as he muttered his reply and slowly shook
+his head.
+
+He was still for a moment and then sat suddenly upright.
+
+"But by the living God!" It was surprising how quickly he could pass
+from mood to mood. Now the old-time fire gleamed in his eyes. Now the
+unrestrained, impetuous, passionate General, the intrepid, fearless
+leader of Quebec, Ridgefield, Saratoga, revealed himself with all his
+old-time energy and determination of purpose.
+
+"By the living God!" he repeated with his hand high in the air, his fist
+clenched, "They shall pay me double for every humiliation, for every
+calumny, for every insult I have had to endure. They sought cause
+against me; they shall find it."
+
+"Hush! My dear," cautioned Peggy, "not so loud. The servants will
+overhear you."
+
+"The world shall overhear me before another month. Revenge knows no
+limit and is a sweet consolation to a brave man. I shall shame this
+profligate Congress, and overwhelm my enemies with no mean
+accomplishment, but with an achievement worthy of my dignity and power.
+They shall pay me. Ha! they shall; by God! They shall."
+
+Peggy arose at his violent outbreak, fearing lest she might antagonize
+him the more. It was useless to talk further, for he was enraged to a
+point beyond all endurance. She would leave him alone, hoping that he
+would recover his normal state again.
+
+She walked to the window as if to look out. Then she turned and vanished
+through the doorway into the hall.
+
+
+IV
+
+Several days later a courier rode up to the door and summoned General
+Arnold before him, into whose care he delivered a letter from the
+Headquarters of the Commander-in-chief. Strangely excited, the General
+failed to perceive the identity of the messenger as he saluted and made
+the usual brief inquiries. Only after the courier was well down the road
+did the memory of his strangely familiar face recur to him. But he was
+too preoccupied with the document to give him any more attention.
+Breaking the seal he scanned the introductory addresses and read his
+reprimand from his Commander-in-chief, a reprimand couched in the
+tenderest language, a duty performed with the rarest delicacy and tact.
+
+"Our profession is the chastest of all," it read. "Even the shadow of a
+fault tarnishes the luster of our finest achievements. The least
+inadvertence may rob us of the public favor so hard to be acquired. I
+reprimand you for having forgotten that, in proportion as you have
+rendered yourself formidable to our enemies, you should have been
+guarded and temperate in your deportment towards your fellow citizens.
+Exhibit anew those noble qualities which have placed you on the list of
+our most valued commanders. I myself will furnish you, as far as it may
+be in my power, with opportunities of regaining the esteem of your
+country."
+
+Slipping it again into its envelope, he slammed the door.
+
+
+
+
+PART THREE
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I
+
+
+I
+
+In one of those wide indentations along the eastern shore of the
+Schuylkill River, there opens out in tranquil seclusion a spacious cove.
+The waters wander here to rest, it seems, before resuming their
+voluminous descent to the Delaware and the sea. Trees and saplings
+wrapped about with close-clinging vines hang far over the water's edge
+like so many silent sentinels on guard before the spot, their luxuriant
+foliage weighing their bending twigs almost to the surface. Green
+lily-pads and long ribboned water grass border the water's curve, and
+toss gently in the wind ripples as they glide inwards with just murmur
+enough to lull one to quiet and repose.
+
+Into this scene, placid, clear, though of a deep and dark green under
+the overhanging leaves, stole a small canoe with motion enough scarcely
+to ruffle the top of the water. A paddle noiselessly dipped into the
+undisturbed surface and as noiselessly emerged again, leaving behind
+only a series of miniature eddies where the waters had closed after
+their penetration. A small white hand, hanging lazily over the forward
+side of the tiny craft, played in the soft, limpid water, and made a
+furrow along the side of the boat that glistened like so many strings of
+sparkling jewels.
+
+"So you are going away again tomorrow?" Marjorie was saying as she
+continued to dabble in the water.
+
+She lay partly reclining in the bow of the canoe, her back supported by
+a pillow. A meditative silence enshrouded her as she lay listless,
+unconcerned to all appearances, as to her whereabouts or destination.
+The while she thought, the more steadily she gazed at the waters as she
+splashed them gently and playfully. Like a caress the silence of the
+place descended upon her, and brought home to her the full import of her
+loneliness.
+
+"In view of what you have disclosed to me, I think it only my duty,"
+Stephen replied as he lazily stroked the paddle.
+
+Again there was silence.
+
+"I wish you weren't going," she finally murmured.
+
+He looked straight at her, holding his arm motionless for the space of a
+moment.
+
+"It is good of you to say that," was the measured reply. "This has been
+a most delightful day, and I have enjoyed this glimpse of you very
+much."
+
+Raising her eyes she thanked him with a look.
+
+"You must remember that it has been due to no fault of mine that I have
+seen so little of you," he continued.
+
+"Nor mine," came back the whisper.
+
+"True," he said. "Events have moved so rapidly during the past month
+that I was enabled to keep abreast of them only with the greatest
+difficulty."
+
+"I daresay we all are proud of your achievement."
+
+"God has been good to us. I must thank you, too."
+
+"Me?" She grinned with contempt. "I am sure when the truth is known
+that I shall be found more an instrument of evil than of good."
+
+"I wish you would not say that."
+
+"I cannot say otherwise, for I know it to be true."
+
+"Do not depreciate your efforts. They have been invaluable to me.
+Remember, it was you who greatly confirmed my suspicions of Anderson. I
+did acquire some facts myself; but it was due to the information which
+you imparted to me that I was enabled to join together several ambiguous
+clews."
+
+"Really?"
+
+"And you must remember that it was through your cooperation that my
+attention was first drawn to General Arnold."
+
+"You suspected him before our conversation. You, yourself, heard it from
+his own lips in the garden."
+
+"Yes, I did. But the note!"
+
+"What note?"
+
+"The note you gave me to read."
+
+"Peggy's letter which I found at her house?"
+
+"The same. Have I never told you?"
+
+"Never!" was the slow response. "You know you returned it to me without
+comment."
+
+He was puzzled. For he wondered how he had failed to acquaint her with
+so important an item.
+
+"When you allowed me to take that letter you furnished me with my first
+clew."
+
+She aroused herself and looked seriously at him.
+
+"I?... Why.... I never read it. What did it contain? I had supposed it
+to be a personal letter."
+
+"And so it was,--apparently. It proved to be a letter from one of
+Peggy's New York friends."
+
+"A Mischienza friend, undoubtedly."
+
+"Yes, Captain Cathcart. But it contained more. There was a cipher
+message."
+
+"In cipher?" Then after a moment. "Did she know of it?"
+
+"I am inclined to think that she did. Otherwise it would not have been
+directed to her."
+
+This was news indeed. No longer did she recline against the seat of the
+canoe, but raised herself upright.
+
+"How did you ever discover it?"
+
+"My first reading of the note filled me with suspicion. Its tone was too
+impersonal. When I asked for it, I was impelled by the sole desire to
+study it the more carefully at my own leisure. That night I found
+certain markings over some of the letters. These I jotted down and
+rearranged until I had found the hidden message."
+
+She gazed at him in wonder.
+
+"It was directed to her, I presume, because of her friendship with the
+Military Governor; and carried the suggestion that His Excellency be
+interested in the proposed formation of the Regiment. From that moment
+my energies were directed to one sole end. I watched Arnold and those
+whom he was wont to entertain. Eventually the trail narrowed down to
+Peggy and Anderson."
+
+She drew a deep breath, but said nothing.
+
+"The night I played the spy in the park my theory was confirmed."
+
+"Yes, you told me of that incident. It was not far from here."
+
+She turned to search the distance behind her.
+
+"No. Just down the shore behind his great house." He pointed with his
+finger in the direction of Mount Pleasant.
+
+"And Peggy was a party to the conspiracy!" she exclaimed with an audible
+sigh.
+
+"She exercised her influence over Arnold from the start. She and
+Anderson were in perfect accord."
+
+"I am sorry. She has disappointed me greatly."
+
+"She has a very pretty manner and a most winsome expression; but she is
+extremely subtle and fully accomplished in all manner of artifice. She
+was far too clever for your frank simplicity."
+
+"I never suspected her for an instant."
+
+"It was she who set the trap for Arnold; it was she who made it possible
+for Anderson to rise to the heights of favor and influence; it was she
+who encouraged her husband in his misuse of authority; and I venture to
+say, it was she who rendered effective the degree of friendship which
+began to exist between yourself and this gentleman."
+
+Marjorie blushed at the irony.
+
+They were drifting above the cove in the slowest manner. Only
+occasionally did he dip the paddle into the water to change the course
+of the little craft, or to push it ahead a little into the more shaded
+places. Marjorie did not assist in this, for he desired her to sit in
+the bow facing him, while he, himself, essayed the task of paddler.
+There was little of exertion, however, for the two had no other object
+in view than the company of their own selves. And so they drifted
+aimlessly about the stream.
+
+"Yes, I think that I ought to leave tomorrow for White Plains to confer
+with His Excellency."
+
+"I should be the last to hinder you in the performance of duty. By all
+means, go."
+
+"Of course it may be no more than a suspicion, but if you are sure of
+what Anderson said, then I think that the matter should be brought to
+the attention of the Commander-in-chief."
+
+"Of course, you understand that Mr. Anderson told me nothing definite.
+But he did hint that General Arnold should be placed in command of a
+more responsible post in the American army; and that steps should be
+taken to have him promoted to the Second in Command."
+
+Stephen thought for a minute.
+
+"That sounds innocent enough. But you must remember that events have
+come to light in the past fortnight which for months had lain concealed
+in the minds of these two men. Who knows but what this was included in
+their nefarious scheme. I am uneasy about it all, and must see the
+chief."
+
+"But you will come back?"
+
+"At once unless prevented by a detail to a new field. I am subject at
+all times to the will of my leader."
+
+Her face fell.
+
+
+II
+
+The solemn stillness, the almost noiseless motion of the boat, the livid
+shades surrounding the place, all contributed to the mood of pensiveness
+and meditation which was rapidly stealing upon them. The very silence of
+the cove was infectious. Marjorie felt it almost immediately, and
+relaxed without a murmur.
+
+A stream of thoughts began to course in continuous procession through
+her mind, awakening there whatever latent images lay buried in her
+memory, and fashioning new ideas and seemingly possible situations from
+her experiences of the past year. Now she suddenly discovered her former
+interest quickened to a violent degree. She was living over again the
+memories of the happy hours of other days.
+
+Certainly Stephen was as constant as ever. To her discerning eye his
+manner of action conveyed no other impression. But he was the same
+enigma, however, as far as the communication of thought was concerned,
+and she knew no more of his pleasures and desires than she did of the
+inspirations of his soul.
+
+It was the first time in months she had seen and taken delight in his
+own old self. Never had he been so attentive quite as John Anderson, nor
+so profuse in his protestations, nor so ready with his apologies. And
+what was more she did not expect him to be. But he was more sincere when
+it came to a question of unfolding one's own convictions, more engaging
+where will-power, propriety, performance of duty, were concerned. He
+alone possessed the rule to which all, in her own mind, were obliged to
+conform. And so she was compelled to admire him.
+
+These fond memories suffered an interruption by a vision of the extreme
+disquietude produced upon Stephen by her unfortunate acquaintanceship
+with Mr. Anderson. And yet she had been profoundly sincere with herself.
+Never had she conveyed the impression to any man that she had given him
+a second sobering thought. Her home constituted for her a chief delight,
+her home, her devoted mother, her fond father. Peggy had been her sole
+companion previous to her marriage with the Governor; and whatever men
+she had met with were they who composed the gay assemblies at which her
+friend was the pretty hostess and she the invited guest. As far as
+Anderson was concerned, and Stephen, for that matter, she doubted if
+she had been in the company of either more than a dozen times in the
+course of her life. Certainly not enough to know either of them
+intimately.
+
+Of the two men who had effected the most complete entree into her
+society, Stephen had, unquestionably, impressed her the more favorably.
+For a time he seemed too far removed from her; and she failed to
+experience that sense of proportion between them so necessary for mutual
+regard. Perhaps it was due to this negation, or perhaps it was owing to
+her modest reserve, or perhaps to both, that whatever familiar
+intercourse, sympathy or affinity ought to have existed was naturally
+excluded. True friendship requires a certain equality, or at least a
+feeling of proportion between those whom it would bind together. And
+this she felt had not prevailed.
+
+She did not pause to consider the correctness or the incorrectness of
+her inference. It was quite enough for her to know that this spirit of
+inequality existed. In his presence, however, she felt at perfect ease,
+wholly oblivious of everything save her own happiness, as she could now
+bear witness to, but alone with her thoughts the horrible imagining
+forced itself upon her and served to widen perceptibly the gulf between
+them. Reflection disconcerted her.
+
+Happily, her enterprise respecting Anderson and his nefarious scheme had
+terminated successfully. Happily, too, Stephen's misconstruction of the
+affair had been corrected. No longer would he doubt her. Their fortunes
+had approached the crisis. It came. Anderson had fled town; Arnold and
+Peggy were removed from their lives perhaps for ever. Stephen was with
+her now and she experienced a sense of happiness beyond all human
+estimation. She would she could read his mind to learn there his own
+feelings. Was he, too, conscious of the same delights? A reciprocal
+feeling was alone necessary to complete the measure of her joy. But he
+was as non-communicative as ever, totally absorbed in this terrible
+business that obsessed him. Her riddle, she feared, would remain
+unanswered. Patriotism, it seemed, was more pressing than love.
+
+
+The canoe had drifted nearer to the shore. At Stephen's suggestion she
+aroused herself from her lethargy and alighted on the bank. He soon
+followed, drawing the canoe on to the shore a little to prevent its
+wandering away. Marjorie walked through the grass, stooping to pick here
+and there a little flower which lay smiling at her feet. Stephen stood
+to one side and looked after her.
+
+
+III
+
+"Stephen," she asked, as she returned to him and stood for a moment
+smiling straight at him, "will you tell me something?"
+
+"Anything you ask," he assured her. "What do you wish to know?"
+
+But she did not inquire further. Her eyes were fixed in earnest
+attention upon the flowers which she began to arrange into a little
+bouquet.
+
+"Are you still vexed with me?"
+
+There! It was out. She looked at him coquettishly.
+
+"Marjorie!" he exclaimed. "What ever caused you to say that?"
+
+"I scarce know," she replied. "I suppose I just thought so, that was
+all."
+
+"Would I be here now?" He tried to assure her with a tone of sincerity.
+"One need not hear a man speak to learn his mind."
+
+"Yes. But I thought----"
+
+He seized hold of her hand.
+
+"Come," he said. "Won't you sit down while I tell you?"
+
+She accepted his offer and allowed herself to be assisted.
+
+"You thought that I was displeased with you on account of John
+Anderson," he remarked as he took his place by her side. "Am I correct?"
+
+She did not answer.
+
+"And you thought, perhaps, that I scorned you?"
+
+"Oh, no! Not that! I did not think that ... I ... I...."
+
+"Well, then, that I lost all interest in you?"
+
+She thought for a second. Then she smiled as if she dared not say what
+was in her mind.
+
+"Listen. I shall tell you. I did not reprove you with so much as a
+fault. I know well that it is next to impossible to be in the frequent
+presence of an individual without experiencing at some time some
+emotion. He becomes continually repugnant, or else exceedingly
+fascinating. The sentiments of the heart never stand still."
+
+"Yes, I know,--but...."
+
+"I did think that you had been fascinated. I concluded that you had been
+charmed by John Anderson's manner. Because I had no desire of losing
+your good will, I did ask you to avoid him, but at the same time, I did
+not feel free enough to cast aspersions upon his character and so
+change your good opinion of him. The outcome I never doubted, much as I
+was disturbed over the whole affair. I felt that eventually you would
+learn for yourself."
+
+"But why did you not believe in me? I tried to give you every assurance
+that I was loyal...."
+
+"The fault lay in my enforced absence from you, and in the nature of the
+circumstances which combined against you. I knew Anderson; but I was
+unaware of your own thought or purpose. My business led me on one
+occasion to your home where I found you ready to entertain him. The
+several other times in which I found you together caused me to think
+that you, too, had been impressed by him."
+
+Marjorie sat silent. She was pondering deeply the while he spoke and
+attempted to understand the emotions that had fought in his heart. She
+knew very well that he was sincere in his confession, and that she had
+been the victim of circumstances; still she thanked God that the truth
+had been revealed to him.
+
+"Sometimes I feel as if I had been simply a tool in his hands, and that
+I had been worsted in the encounter."
+
+"You have had no reason to think that. You perhaps unconsciously gave
+him some information concerning the members of our faith, their number,
+their lot, their ambitions,--but you must remember, too, that he had
+given some valuable information to you in return. The man may have been
+sincere with you from the beginning."
+
+"No! I think neither of us were sincere. The memory of it all is
+painful; and I regret exceedingly of having had to play the part of the
+coquette."
+
+A great silence stole upon them. He looked out over the river at the
+wavelets dancing gleefully in the sunlight, as they ran downstream with
+the current as if anxious to outstrip it to the sea. She grew tired of
+the little flowers and looked about to gather others. Presently she
+bethought herself and took from her bodice what appeared to be a golden
+locket. Stephen, attracted by her emotion, saw the trinket at once, its
+bright yellow frame glistening in the sun.
+
+"Have you ever seen this?" she asked as she looked at it intently.
+
+He extended his hand in anticipation. She gave it to him.
+
+"Beautiful!" he exclaimed. "How long have you had this?"
+
+"About a year," she replied nonchalantly, and clasped her hands about
+her knees.
+
+He leaned forward and continued to study it for the longest time. He
+held it near to him and then at arm's length. Then he looked at her.
+
+"It is beautiful," he repeated. "It is a wonderful likeness, and yet I
+should say that it does not half express the winsomeness of your
+countenance." He smiled generously at her blushes as he returned it to
+her.
+
+"It was given me by John Anderson," she declared.
+
+"It is a treasure. And it is richly set."
+
+"He painted it himself and brought it to me after that night at
+Peggy's."
+
+"I always said that he possessed extraordinary talents. I should keep
+that as a commemoration of your daring enterprise."
+
+"Never. I purpose to destroy all memory of him."
+
+"You have lost nothing, and have gained what books cannot unfold.
+Observation and experience are the prime educators."
+
+"But exceedingly severe."
+
+"Come," said Stephen. "Let us not allude to him again. It grieves you.
+He has passed from your life forever."
+
+"Forever!" she repeated.
+
+And as if by a mighty effort she drew back her arm and flung the
+miniature far from her in the direction of the river. On a sudden there
+was a splash, a gulp of the waters, and a little commotion as they
+hurriedly came together and folded over their prey.
+
+"Marjorie!" he shouted making an attempt to restrain her. It was too
+late.
+
+"What have you done?" he asked.
+
+She displayed her empty hands and laughed.
+
+"Forever!" she repeated, opening her arms with a telling gesture. "I
+never should have accepted it, but I was strangely fascinated by it, I
+suppose."
+
+For the moment neither spoke; he felt as if he could not speak; and she
+looked like a child, her cheeks aglow with the exertion, and her eyes
+alight with merriment. Stephen looked intently at her and as she
+perceived his look, a very curious change came across her face. He saw
+it at once, although he did not think of it until afterwards.
+
+"Marjorie," he said as he moved nearer to her and slipped his arm very
+gently about her. "You must have known for the longest time, from my
+actions, from my incessant attentions, from my words, the extent of my
+feeling for you. It were idle of me to attempt to give expression to it.
+It cannot be explained. It must be perceived; and you, undoubtedly, have
+perceived it."
+
+There was no response. She remained passive, her eyes on the ground,
+scarcely realizing what he was saying.
+
+"I think you know what I am going to say. I am very fond of you. But you
+must have felt more; some hidden voice must have whispered often to you
+that I love you."
+
+He drew her to him and raised both her hands to his lips.
+
+She remonstrated.
+
+"Stephen!" she said.
+
+He drew back sadly. She became silent, her head lowered, her eyes
+downcast, intent upon the hands in her lap. With her fingers she rubbed
+away the caress. She was thinking rapidly, yet her face betrayed no
+visible emotion, whether of joy, or surprise, or resentment. Only her
+cheek danced with a ray of sunshine, a stolen reflection from the joyous
+waves.
+
+"Marjorie," he said gently, "please forgive me. I meant no harm."
+
+She made a little movement as if to speak.
+
+"I had to tell you," he continued. "I thought you understood."
+
+She buried her face in her hands; her frame shook violently. Stephen was
+confused a little; for he thought that she had taken offense. He
+attempted to reassure her.
+
+"Marjorie. Please.... I give you my word I shall never mention this
+subject again. I am sorry, very sorry."
+
+She dried her eyes and looked at her handkerchief. Then she stood up.
+
+"Come, let us go," he said after he had assisted her.
+
+They walked together towards the boat.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II
+
+
+I
+
+It has been said with more truth than poetic fancy that the descent to
+Avernus is easy. It may be said, too, with equal assurance, that once
+General Arnold had committed himself to treachery and perfidy, his story
+becomes sickening, and in the judgment of his countrymen, devoid of no
+element of horror whether in its foul beginnings or in its wretched end.
+Once his mind had been definitely committed to the treacherous purpose,
+which loomed like a beacon light before him in the shaping of his
+destiny, his descent to the depths of degradation was rapid and fatal.
+The court-martial, together with its subsequent reprimand, had been
+accepted by him with the greatest animosity. From that hour his thirst
+for vengeance knew no restraint. One thing alone was necessary to his
+evil plans: he must secure an important command in the Continental Army.
+
+Some time before he had asked for a change of post, or at least for a
+grant of land with permission to retire to private life, but this was
+under the inspiration of a motive of an entirely different nature. Now
+he had specifically asked for a command in the army, adding that his leg
+was quite healed and that he was fit physically for field duty. In
+entering this demand, he was actuated by a different motive--the motive
+of George Monk, the Duke of Albemarle, the Commander-in-chief of the
+forces of three kingdoms.
+
+It is true that Washington had been devoted to him and remained faithful
+to him until the very end. To reprimand his favorite General was a
+painful duty. But it was performed with delicate and genuine tenderness.
+His Excellency had promised to do whatever lay within his power to
+enable his beloved General to recover the esteem of his fellow-men and
+he was glad to furnish him with every opportunity of effecting real and
+lasting service. He wrote him at once offering him leave of absence.
+Congress then ordered "That the sum of $25,000 be advanced to Major
+General Arnold on account of his pay." Finally a general order was
+issued by the Commander-in-chief himself appointing General Arnold
+Commander of the Right Wing of the American Army. The restoration so
+long awaited was at length achieved.
+
+Arnold at once began to make preparations for his departure from the
+city. His privateering ventures had been cleared up, but with profits
+barely sufficient to meet his debts. Mount Pleasant, his sole
+possession, had already been settled on his wife. His tenure of office
+had been ended some time before, and whatever documents were destined
+for preservation had been put in order pending the arrival of his
+successor.
+
+The plan for his defection had been evolved by him with elaborate
+detail. Never had the time been more opportune for the execution of a
+piece of business so nefarious. The country was without what could be
+called a stable form of government. It was deprived of any recognized
+means of exchange because of the total depreciation of the Continental
+currency. The British had obtained possession of the great city of New
+York and were threatening to overrun the country south of the
+Susquehanna. Newport was menaced and the entire British fleet was
+prepared to move up the Hudson where, at West Point, one poorly equipped
+garrison interposed between them and the forces of General Carleton,
+which were coming down from Canada. Washington was attempting to defend
+Philadelphia and watch Clinton closely from the heights of Morristown,
+while he threatened the position of the enemy in New York from West
+Point. In all the American Commander had no more than four thousand men,
+many of whom were raw recruits, mere boys, whose services had been
+procured for nine months for fifteen hundred dollars each. Georgia and
+the Carolinas were entirely reduced and it was only a question of time
+before the junction of the two armies might be effected.
+
+Clinton was to attack West Point at once, in order to break down the one
+barrier which stood between his own army and the Canadian. Learning,
+however, of the rapid progress of events on the American side and more
+especially of the proposed defection of General Arnold, he suddenly
+changed his plan. He determined to attack Washington as soon as Arnold
+had been placed in command of the right wing of the main army. The
+latter was to suffer the attack to be made, but at the psychological
+moment he was to desert his Commander-in-chief in the field, and so
+effect the total destruction of the entire force.
+
+This was the plan which was being turned over in his mind as he sat on
+this June afternoon in the great room of his mansion. He was again clad
+in his American uniform and looked the warrior of old in his blue and
+buff and gold. Care had marked his countenance with her heavy hand,
+however, and had left deep furrows across his forehead and down the
+sides of his mouth. His eyes, too, had lost their old-time flash and
+vivacity, his movements were more sluggish, his step more halting. The
+trials of the past year had left their visible tracings on him.
+
+He sat and stroked his chin, and deliberated. In his hand he held a
+letter, a letter without date or address or salutation. It had been
+brought to him that day by messenger from the city. He understood it
+perfectly.
+
+He looked at it again.
+
+"Knyphausen is in New Jersey," it read, "but, understanding Arnold is
+about to command the American Army in the field, Clinton will attack
+Washington at once. The bearer may be trusted.
+
+                                                       "ANDERSON."
+
+
+II
+
+"It is either Westminster Abbey for me or the gallows," he remarked to
+his wife that evening when they were quite alone.
+
+"You have no apprehensions, I hope."
+
+"There's many a slip----" he quoted.
+
+"Come! Be an optimist. You have set your heart on it. So be brave."
+
+"I have never lacked courage. At Saratoga while that scapegoat Gates
+sulked in his tent, I burst from the camp on my big brown horse and rode
+like a madman to the head of Larned's brigade, my old command, and we
+took the hill. Fear? I never knew what the word meant. Dashing back to
+the center, I galloped up and down before the line. We charged twice,
+and the enemy broke and fled. Then I turned to the left and ordered
+West and Livingston with Morgan's corps to make a general assault along
+the line. Here we took the key to the enemy's position and there was
+nothing for them to do but to retreat. At the same instant one bullet
+killed my good brown horse under me and another entered my leg. But the
+battle had been won."
+
+"Never mind, my dear, the world yet lies before you."
+
+"I won the war for them, damn 'em, in a single battle, and
+single-handed. Lord North knew it. The Rockingham Whigs, with Burke as
+their leader, knew it and were ready to concede independence, having
+been convinced that conciliation was no longer practicable or possible.
+Richmond urged the impossibility of final conquest, and even Gibbon
+agreed that the American colonies had been lost. I accomplished all
+that, I tell you, and I received--what?--a dead horse and a wounded
+leg."
+
+There was a flash of the old-time general, but only a flash. It was
+evident that he was tiring easily. His old-time stamina had abandoned
+him.
+
+"Why do you so excite yourself?" Peggy cautioned him. "The veins are
+bulging out on your forehead."
+
+"When I think of it, it galls me. But I shall have my revenge," he
+gloated maliciously. "Clinton is going to attack Washington as soon as I
+have taken over my command. I shall outrival Albemarle yet."
+
+"We may as well prepare to leave, then."
+
+"There is no need of your immediate departure. You are not supposed to
+be acquainted with my designs. You must remain here. Later you can join
+me."
+
+"But you are going at once?"
+
+"Yes, I shall leave very soon now. Let me see." He paused to think. "It
+is over a week now since I was appointed. The appointment was to take
+effect immediately. I should report for duty at once."
+
+"And I shall meet you----"
+
+"In New York, very probably. It is too early yet to arrange for that.
+You will know where I am stationed and can remain here until I send for
+you."
+
+While they were still engaged in conversation, a sound became very
+audible as of a horseman ascending the driveway. A summons at the door
+announced a courier from the Commander-in-chief to Major General Arnold.
+The latter presented himself and received a packet on which had been
+stamped the seal of official business. He took the document and
+withdrew.
+
+It proved to be an order from His Excellency transferring the command of
+Major General Arnold on account of physical disability, which would not
+permit of service in the field, from the right wing of the American Army
+to Commander of the fortress at West Point. He was ordered to report for
+duty as soon as circumstances would permit and was again assured of His
+Excellency's highest respect and good wishes.
+
+He handed the letter to Peggy without a word. He sat in deep meditation
+while she hastily scanned the contents.
+
+"Tricked again," was her sole comment.
+
+He did not answer.
+
+"This looks suspicious. Do you think he knows?"
+
+"No one knows."
+
+"What will you do now? This upsets all your plans."
+
+"I do not know. I shall accept, of course. Later, not now, we can
+decide."
+
+"This means that I am going too."
+
+"I suppose so. I shall have my headquarters there, and while they may
+not be as commodious as Mount Pleasant, still I would rather have you
+with me. We shall arrange for our departure accordingly."
+
+"You will, of course, inform Anderson of the change?"
+
+"He will hear of it. The news of the appointment will travel fast enough
+you may be sure. Very likely Knyphausen will now be recalled from New
+Jersey."
+
+"So perishes your dream of a duchy!" she exclaimed.
+
+"No. West Point is the most important post on the American side. It is
+the connecting link between New England and the rest of the colonies. It
+was the prize which Johnny Burgoyne was prevented from obtaining by me.
+It commands the Hudson River and opens the way to upper New York and
+Canada. It is the most strategic position in America, stored with
+immense quantities of ammunition and believed to be impregnable. Without
+doubt it is the most critical point in the American line."
+
+"Bah! You need an army. Albemarle had an army. Marlborough had an army.
+Of what use is a fortress with a large force still in the field? It's
+the army that counts, I tell you. Territory, forts, cities mean nothing.
+It's the size of the army that wins the war."
+
+"I know it, but what can I do?"
+
+He conceded the point.
+
+"Insist on your former post," she advised.
+
+He thought awhile and began to whistle softly to himself as he tapped
+his finger tips one against the other.
+
+"Listen," she continued. "There is some reason for this transfer at the
+eleventh hour. Are you dense enough not to see it? Some one has reached
+Washington's ear and whispered a secret. Else that order would never
+have been written."
+
+"Washington believes only what is true. Always has he trusted and
+defended me from the vilifications of my enemies, knowing that these
+reports only emanated from jealous and unscrupulous hearts. My leg has
+caused this change of command; I know it."
+
+She looked at him in scorn. She could not believe he could be so simple.
+
+"Your leg! What has your leg to do with it? Once you are astride your
+horse you are safe. And don't you think for one minute that Clinton is a
+fool. He does not want you. I dare say if the truth were known, he has
+no respect for you either. It is your command which is of value to him,
+and the more authority you can master, the more valuable you become.
+Then you can dictate your own terms instead of bargaining them away."
+
+"It would realize nothing to attempt a protest. A soldier asks no
+questions. Whatever I may be, I am still a soldier."
+
+"As you will."
+
+She shrugged her shoulders, and folded her arms.
+
+"West Point it is," she observed, "but General Clinton may reconsider
+his proposition. I would not be too sure."
+
+"I am sure he will be satisfied with West Point. With that post he might
+easily end the war. Anderson will write me soon again. I tell you I can
+dictate to them now. You shall have your peerage after all."
+
+"I am not so sure."
+
+"Have it your own way. I know what I am about and I know where I stand.
+At first it was a question only of my personal desertion. The betrayal
+of an army was a later development. But I could not become a deserter on
+a small scale. I have been accustomed all my life to playing signal
+roles. If I am to sell myself at all, it shall be at the highest price
+together with the greatest prize. I have only one regret, and that is
+that I am obliged to take advantage of the confidence and respect of
+Washington to render this at all possible."
+
+"Don't let your heart become softened by tender condolences at this
+stage. Your mind has been set; don't swerve."
+
+He looked at her and wondered how she could remain so imperturbable.
+Ordinarily she burned with compassion at the sight of misery and
+affliction. He could not understand for the life of him, how stoically
+she maintained her composure throughout this ordeal. Plainly her heart
+was set on one ambition. She would be a duchess.
+
+But she did not know that he had maintained a continual correspondence
+with Sir Henry Clinton, or that West Point had long since been decided
+upon, as a possible contingency. Much she did know, but most of the
+details had been concealed from her. Not that he did not trust her, but
+he wished her to be no party to his nefarious work.
+
+And so he was not surprised that she expressed a genuine disappointment
+over his change of command. In fact he had been prepared for a more
+manifest display of disapproval. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she
+was at length to accompany him which caused her to be more benign in her
+appreciation of the transfer. For he knew that she detested the city
+and longed for the day when she might be far removed from it forever.
+
+"You will, of course, make ready to leave Mount Pleasant?" he asked of
+her.
+
+"Assuredly. I shall acquaint mother and father with the prospect this
+evening. They do not want me to leave. But I am determined."
+
+"They should be here. It is not early."
+
+"The ride is long. They will come."
+
+
+III
+
+The last night spent by the Arnolds and the Shippen family at Mount
+Pleasant was a happy one. The entire family was in attendance and the
+Arnold silver was lavishly displayed for the occasion. American viands
+cooked and served in the prevailing American fashion were offered at
+table--hearty, simple food in great plenty washed down by quantities of
+Madeira and sherry and other imported beverages.
+
+Toasts and healths were freely drunk. After the more customary ones to
+the "Success of the War," to the "Success of General Washington," to the
+"Nation" there came the usual healths to the host and the hostess, and
+more especially to the "Appointment of General Arnold." The ceremonies
+were interspersed with serious and animated conversation on the
+political situation and the chances of the army in the field. Throughout
+the entire meal a marked simplicity, a purity of manner, and frank
+cordiality was manifest, all indicative of the charming and unaffected
+homelife of the Americans.
+
+"Miss Franks would have been pleased to be with us," announced the
+General as the company awaited another service.
+
+"Could you believe it, General," said Mrs. Shippen, "not once have we
+heard from that girl since she moved to New York," and she set her lips
+firmly. "That is so unlike her; I cannot understand it."
+
+"But you know, Mother," explained Peggy, "that the mail cannot be
+depended upon."
+
+"I know, my dear, but I think that she could send a line, if it were
+only a line, by messenger if she thought enough of us. You know it was
+at our house that she met the friends with whom she is now engaged."
+
+"Our mail system is deplorable," Mr. Shippen remarked. "Only yesterday I
+received a letter which apparently had been sent months ago."
+
+"I can understand that very readily," Arnold rejoined. "Often letters
+are entrusted to travelers. At times these men deposit a letter at some
+inn at the cross-roads for the next traveler who is bound for the same
+place as the epistle. It often happens that such a missive remains for
+months upon a mantelpiece awaiting a favorable opportunity. Then again
+sheer neglect may be responsible for an unusual delay. I myself have
+experience of that."
+
+This explanation seemed to satisfy Mrs. Shippen for she dropped the
+subject immediately. The mode of travel then occasioned a critical
+comment from her until she finally asked when they intended to leave for
+West Point.
+
+"Very likely I shall leave before the week is out," replied Arnold. "It
+is most important that I assume command at once. We shall prepare to
+depart tomorrow."
+
+They talked far into the night, the men smoking while the ladies
+retired to the great drawing-room. Peggy played and sang, and took her
+mother aside at intervals for conference upon little matters which
+required advice. At a late hour, after taking affectionate leaves, the
+families parted. Peggy and her husband now abandoned themselves to their
+destiny--to glorious triumph or to utter ruin.
+
+They closed the door upon their kinsfolk and faced the situation.
+Westminster Abbey or the gallows loomed before them.
+
+
+IV
+
+Late that same evening, alone before his desk, General Arnold penned the
+following ambiguous letter to John Anderson. West Point it was. That was
+settled. Still it was necessary that General Clinton be appraised
+immediately of the change of command together with some inkling of the
+military value of the new post. The business was such that he dared not
+employ his true name; and so he assumed a title, referring to himself
+throughout the note in the third person. The meaning of the message, he
+knew, would be readily interpreted.
+
+
+Sir:--On the 24th of last month I received a note from you without date,
+in answer to mine; also a letter from your house in answer to mine, with
+a note from B. of the 30th of June, with an extract of a letter from Mr.
+J. Osborn. I have paid particular attention to the contents of the
+several letters. Had they arrived earlier, you should have had my answer
+sooner. A variety of circumstances has prevented my writing you before.
+I expect to do it very fully in a few days, and to procure you an
+interview with Mr. M--e, when you will be able to settle your commercial
+plan, I hope, in a manner agreeable to all parties. Mr. M--e assures me
+that he is still of opinion that his first proposal is by no means
+unreasonable, and makes no doubt, that, when he has a conference with
+you, you will close with it. He expects when you meet you will be fully
+authorized from your House and that the risks and profits of the
+co-partnership may be fully and clearly understood.
+
+A speculation might at this time be easily made to some advantage with
+ready money, but there is not the quantity of goods at market which your
+partner seems to suppose, and the number of speculators below, I think,
+will be against your making an immediate purchase. I apprehend goods
+will be in greater plenty and much cheaper in the course of the season;
+both dry and wet are much wanted and in demand at this juncture. Some
+quantities are expected in this part of the country soon.
+
+Mr. M--e flatters himself that in the course of ten days he will have
+the pleasure of seeing you. He requests me to advise you that he has
+ordered a draught on you in favor of our mutual friend, S--y for 1300,
+which you will charge on account of the tobacco.
+
+  I am, in behalf of Mr. M--e and Co., Sir,
+        Your most obedient, humble servant,
+                                       Gustavus.
+
+
+To Mr. John Anderson, Merchant,
+         New York.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III
+
+
+I
+
+In the meantime, Marjorie was tossing restlessly, nervously in her bed,
+enduring hours of disconsolate remorse and lonely desolation. She could
+not sleep. She cried her eyes wet with tears, and wiped them dry again
+with her handkerchief; then stared up at the black ceiling, or gazed out
+through the small window at the faint glow in the world beyond. Her
+girlish heart, lay heavy within her, distended almost to the
+breaking-point with grief, a grief which had sent her early to bed to
+seek solitude and consolation; that solitude which alone brings relief
+to a heart freighted with sorrow and woe. Now that Stephen had gone, she
+had time to think over the meaning of it all, and she began to
+experience the renewed agony of those terrible moments by the water's
+edge. It was so awful, so frightful that her tender frame seemed to
+yield beneath its load, she simply had to give way to the tears.
+
+She could not sleep, and she knew it. Scrambling out of her bed and
+wrapping a mantle about her, she sat beside the window and peered into
+the night. There was not a breeze to break the solemn silence, not a
+sound to distract her from her reverie. Two black and uncanny pine trees
+stood like armed guards near by the corner of the house to challenge the
+interloper from disturbing her meditation. Overhead the stars blinked
+and glistened through the treetops in their lace of foliage and delicate
+branches, and resembled for all the world an hundred diamonds set in a
+band of filigree work. The moon had not yet risen, and all the world
+seemed to be in abject despair, bristling in horrid shapes and
+sights,--a fit dwelling-place for Marjorie and her grief-stricken heart.
+
+Stephen had gone away that afternoon, perhaps never to return. For this
+she could not reproach him, for she allowed that she had given him every
+reason to feel offended. But she had hurt him, and very likely hurt him
+to the quick. She knew his sensitive nature and she feared the
+consequence. It was that thought more than the real contrition over her
+fault which had overwhelmed her. Her return for his many acts of
+kindness had been one of austere repulsion.
+
+Now she felt acutely the bitterness of it all. That she had afforded him
+some encouragement, that she had cooperated in the first place to make
+the setting of it all quite perfect, that she had lent him her assurance
+that she was amicably disposed towards him, and that her action in
+regard to the miniature, while apparently innocent enough, was fraught
+with significance for Stephen in view of his intimate connections with
+the events of the past two years, that after all perhaps she had been
+entirely unreasonable throughout it all; these were the thoughts which
+excited, both in the truth of their reality and in the knowledge of the
+hopes they had alternately raised and blasted in Stephen, the bitter
+sorrow which was the cause of her mingled pain and regret.
+
+What would he think of her now? What could he think? Plainly he must
+consider her a cold, austere being, devoid of all feeling and
+appreciation. He had given her the best that was in him and had made
+bold enough to appraise her of it. Sincerity was manifest in his every
+gesture and word, and yet she had made him feel as if his protestations
+had been repugnant to her. She knew his nature, his extreme diffidence
+in matters of this kind, his power of resolution, and she feared that
+once having tried and failed, he was lost to her forever.
+
+And yet she knew that she grieved not for herself but for him. Her stern
+refusal had only caused him the greater pain. Stephen would, perhaps,
+misunderstand as he had misunderstood her in the past and it was the
+thought of the vast discomfiture she had occasioned in him that stung
+her with sorrow.
+
+Her warm, generous heart now chided her for her apparent indifference.
+There was no other name for it. What could he deduce from her behavior
+except that she was a cold, ungrateful, irresolute creature who did not
+know her own mind or the promptings of her own heart! She had flung him
+from her smarting and wounded, after he had summoned his entire strength
+to whisper to her what she would have given worlds to hear, but which
+had only confounded and startled her by its suddenness.
+
+And yet she loved him. She knew it and kept repeating it over and over
+again to her own self. No one before or since had struck so responsive a
+chord from her heart strings. There had been no other ideal to which she
+had shaped the pictures of her mind. Stephen was her paragon of
+excellence and to him the faculties of her soul had turned of their own
+mood and temper unknown even to the workings of her intellectual
+consciousness, like the natural inclination of the heliotrope before the
+rays of the rising sun.
+
+Laying her head in the crook of her elbow she sobbed bitterly.
+
+The thought that he was gone from her life brought inconsolable remorse.
+She knew him, knew the intimate structure of his soul, and she knew that
+a deep repentance would seize hold of him on account of his rash
+presumption. He would be true to his word: he would not breathe the
+subject again. Nay, more, he would ever permit her to disappear from his
+life as gradually as she had entered into it. This was unendurable but
+the consciousness that she had caused this bitter rupture was beyond all
+endurance still.
+
+She lifted her head and stared into the black depths of the night. All
+was still except the shrill pipings of the frogs as they sounded their
+dissonant notes to one another in the far-off Schuylkill meadows. They,
+too, were filled with thoughts of love, Marjorie thought, which they had
+made bold enough to publish in their own discordant way, and they seemed
+to take eminent delight in having the whole world aware of the fact that
+it, too, might rejoice with them.
+
+If it were true that she loved him, it were equally true that he ought
+to be apprised of it. There could be no love without a mutual
+understanding, for to love alone would be admiration and entirely
+one-sided. Let her unfold her soul to him in order that he might take
+joy for his portion ere his ardor had cooled into mere civility. For if
+it were licit to love, it were more licit to express it and this
+expression should be reciprocal.
+
+She would tell him before it were too late. Her silence at the very
+moment when she should have acted was unfortunate. Perhaps his affection
+had been killed by the blow and her protestations would be falling upon
+barren soil. No matter! She would write and unfold her heart to him,
+and tell him that she really and truly cared for him more than any one
+else in the world, and she would beg him to return that she might
+whisper in his ear those very words she had been softly repeating to
+herself. Full repentance would take possession of her soul, and her
+heart would rush unrestrained to the object of its love, telling him
+that she was with him always, thinking of him, praying for him, and
+waiting for him. She would write him at once.
+
+
+II
+
+But she did not mail the letter. Hidden carefully in her room, it lay
+all the next day. Unworthy post-chaise to bear so precious a manuscript!
+She would journey herself to its destination to safeguard it, were it at
+all possible. A thousand and one misgivings haunted her concerning the
+safety of its arrival,--Stephen might have been transferred to some
+distant point, the letter itself might possibly fall into awkward hands,
+it might lay for months in the post bag, or fall into a dark corner of
+some obscure tavern, the roads were infested with robbers,--horrible
+thoughts, too horrible to record.
+
+She did not know just how long it had taken her to compose it. The end
+of the candle had burned quite out during the process, and she lay
+deliberating over its contents and wondering just what else might be
+added. Twice she was on the point of arising to assure herself on the
+style of her confession, but each time she changed her mind, deciding to
+yield to her earlier thought. The darkness seemed to envelop her in
+fancy, and when she again opened her eyes the darkness had disappeared
+before the light. It was morning and she arose for the day.
+
+Hour by hour she waited to tell her mother. It was only right that she
+should know, and she proposed to tell her all, even the very episode on
+the river bank. She needed counsel, especially during these lonely
+moments, and she felt that she could obtain it only by unfolding her
+heart unreservedly. Mother would know; in fact, she must have suspected
+the gravity of the affair. But how would she begin it? She longed for an
+opening, but no opening presented itself.
+
+The meaning of his addresses she saw, or she thought she saw. Stephen
+loved her; his words were very effective. Indeed, he had made no mention
+of marriage, nevertheless she sensed that his ulterior purpose had been
+revealed to her fully. Perhaps it was this consummation which caused her
+heart to stand suddenly still; perhaps it was the vision of the new life
+which was opening before her. She would have to go away with him as his
+wife, away from her home, away from her beloved father and mother. The
+summers would come and go and she would be far distant from her own, in
+far-off New York, perhaps, or some other city better adapted for the
+career of a young man of ability. They might live in Philadelphia, near
+to her home, yet not in it. That would be preferable, yet the future
+could lend her no assurance. She would be his for life, and with him
+would be obliged to begin a new manner of living.
+
+Such thoughts as these occupied her for the greater part of the day, and
+before she was really aware of it, her father had come home for the
+evening. She could not tell both at once; better to tell them in turn.
+It would be more confidential and better to her liking. Once the secret
+was common between them, it was easy to discuss it together, and so she
+decided that she would put it off until the morrow. Then she would tell
+mother, and let her mother talk it over with her father. Both then would
+advise her.
+
+"Next week is going to see the greatest event in the history of the
+Church in America," Marjorie heard her father remark as he placed his
+hat upon the rack behind the door.
+
+"What is it now?" inquired her mother who chanced to be in the
+sitting-room when he entered.
+
+"The Congress is going to Mass."
+
+"The Congress?" she exclaimed. "Praised be God!"
+
+"What news, father?" asked Marjorie, hurrying into the room.
+
+"The Congress, the President and the prominent men of the nation have
+been invited to take part in the solemn Te Deum next Sunday. It is the
+anniversary of the signing of the Declaration."
+
+"Isn't that remarkable?"
+
+"It is remarkable," he repeated. "The French Ambassador has issued the
+invitations and all have signified their intentions of being present.
+Here is one of them." Taking from his pocket a folded paper, he handed
+it to Marjorie. She opened it at once and read aloud,
+
+
+"Mr. Matthew Allison:--You are invited by the Minister Plenipotentiary
+of France to attend the Te Deum, which will be chanted on Sunday, the
+4th of this month, at noon, in the new Catholic Chapel, to celebrate the
+anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America.
+
+"Philadelphia, the Second of July. M. Gerard."
+
+
+"The Congress going to Mass!" said his wife, apparently unable to
+comprehend fully the meaning of it all.
+
+"The more one thinks of it the more strange it becomes. They branded
+Charles the First a Papist because he permitted his queen, who was born
+and bred a Catholic, to attend Holy Mass. Now we have our newly-formed
+government not alone countenancing Popery, but actually participating in
+a supposedly pagan and idolatrous form of worship."
+
+"This marks the end of religious prejudice in this country," observed
+Marjorie. "At length all men are in all things equal, equal in the sight
+of God and man. Don't you think our leaders must realize this and are
+taking steps to prepare the minds of the people accordingly?"
+
+"Yes," he replied, "and I don't know but what it is only right. We all
+go to the market together, trade our goods together, rub elbows
+together, clear the land together, fight together. Why shouldn't we live
+together in peace? Intolerance and bigotry are dead and buried. We have
+laid the foundations of the greatest country in the world."
+
+"Thank God for that!" breathed Mrs. Allison.
+
+"We are respected above all calculation," Mr. Allison continued. "Our
+Loyalty now is unquestioned."
+
+"We may thank God for that, too."
+
+"And Captain Meagher!" added Marjorie.
+
+Her eyes beamed.
+
+"Yes, you are right, girl," said her father. "We can thank Captain
+Meagher. The frustration and the exposure of that plot has increased our
+reputation an hundredfold. Heretofore, the Catholic population had been
+regarded as an insignificant element, but when the ambitions of the
+enemy to secure their cooperation were discovered, the value of the
+Catholics to the country suddenly rose."
+
+"Our unity must have created a lasting impression," Marjorie remarked.
+
+"Not alone our unity, but our loyalty as well. The government has
+learned that we have been ever true to the land of our birth, ever loyal
+to the country of our adoption. It has thoughtfully considered the value
+of our sacrifices, and has carefully estimated our contribution to the
+cause of freedom. When the charter of liberty assumes a more definite
+form our rights will specifically be determined. Of that I am reasonably
+certain. The enemy failed to allure us from our country in its time of
+need; our country will not abandon us in our time of need."
+
+"Stephen did it," announced Marjorie.
+
+"Stephen helped to do it," replied her father.
+
+
+III
+
+That same evening, during a stolen moment while her mother was busied
+with the turning of the buckwheat cakes, Marjorie crept to her father's
+knee and folded her arms over it.
+
+"Daddy!" she looked up at him from her seated posture on the floor.
+"What would you say to a very eligible young man who had told you that
+he was very fond of you?"
+
+"What would I say?" asked the father in surprise.
+
+"Yes. What would you?"
+
+"I would not say anything. I would have him examined."
+
+"No, Daddy. This is serious," and she pushed his knee from her as she
+spoke.
+
+"I am serious. If a man told me that he was very fond of me, I would
+question his sanity."
+
+She laughed.
+
+"You know what I mean. I mean if you were a girl and----"
+
+"But I am not a girl."
+
+"Well, if you were?"
+
+"If I was what?"
+
+"You know what I mean quite well. Would you hate him at first?"
+
+"I hope not. I should want to strangle him, but I wouldn't hate him."
+
+"And you would strangle him? For what?"
+
+"For daring."
+
+"Daring what?"
+
+"You know."
+
+He smiled.
+
+"Oh, dear! Won't you listen to me? Tell me what to do."
+
+"I could not tell you. You have not told me what has happened."
+
+"I asked you what you would say to an attractive soldier who had told
+you that he loved you."
+
+"Yes. And I told you that if he had told that to me, I would ask what
+ailed him."
+
+"Oh, Daddy, you are too funny tonight. I can't reason with you."
+
+She sat back on her heels and pouted.
+
+He smiled and roused himself upright and put his arm around her and drew
+her to him.
+
+"There! There! I know what you mean, daughter. It means that I shall
+have no say in the matter."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"You will do it all."
+
+"No. I shall never leave you."
+
+"Yes, you will. You will be happier. But why didn't Stephen ask me about
+it?"
+
+"How did you know it was Stephen?" she looked at him in astonishment.
+
+"Well enough."
+
+"But how?" she repeated.
+
+"I knew it all the time and your mother and I have been prepared for
+this occasion."
+
+"But who told you?" Her eyes opened full and round in genuine wonder.
+Here was one surprise after the other.
+
+"There was no need of any one telling me. I have been watching the pair
+of you, and sensed what the outcome would be some little while ago."
+
+"But, Daddy. How should you know?"
+
+He laughed outright.
+
+"There! There! We are satisfied quite, I can assure you. I know what you
+are about to say; and your mother knows it too."
+
+"But I have not yet told her. I meant to tell her today but did not.
+Then I thought of telling you and of whispering the whole story to her
+after we were upstairs."
+
+She was serious, very serious, absorbed for the most part in her story
+although her mind was clouded with amazement at the want of surprise
+which was manifested. Her innocent mind apparently was unable for the
+time being to fathom the intricacies of this plot which seemed to be
+laid bare to every one concerned save her own self.
+
+"Of course you will tell her, but you will find that she will consent to
+the proposal."
+
+"What proposal?"
+
+"Why, I suppose the proposal of your coming marriage."
+
+"But!... But!... Daddy!... I never said anything about marriage."
+
+"You did start to tell me that Stephen told you he was very fond of
+you?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"And you told him the same."
+
+"No, I didn't."
+
+"But you will tell him."
+
+A hush followed. She looked askance at him from the corner of her eye.
+
+"And so after you two have told one another as much as that you may as
+well decide upon the date."
+
+"But ... I ... I am not sure that I want to marry him."
+
+"Well, that is your privilege, you know."
+
+"And.... And ... perhaps he will never ask me again."
+
+"Just wait a bit."
+
+"And would you marry him?"
+
+"I told you that I would not. I already have one wife...."
+
+"Oh! You make me lose all patience," she cried rising from the floor and
+leaving him. "I shall confide in mother."
+
+"Remember," he cautioned her in a somewhat serious strain. "Do not ask
+her to marry him."
+
+She was gone.
+
+The following day a letter was dispatched to the Headquarters at
+Morristown, New Jersey. In the meantime a very large doubt began to take
+form in the mind of one little girl concerning the manner of its
+reception. A thousand and one impossible situations were conceived, but
+there seemed nothing to do; he must now do it all. The possibility
+loomed ghost-like before her: he might never return. The wound which she
+had caused still smarted and ached. He might never return. Her eyes
+wandered and strayed among the multitude of objects before them; her
+lips had forgotten their usual smile. He might fail to receive her note
+and if he did he might disdain to acknowledge it. But no! He would not
+do that. There was naught else to do but wait. Oh! if the moments would
+only hurry!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV
+
+
+I
+
+It was a great day for Philadelphia when the Continental Congress went
+to Mass. It was Independence Day, too, but this was of lesser importance
+in the estimation of the people, especially of the Catholic portion of
+them. Fully a quarter before the hour, the bell began to sound and the
+streets became like so many avenues of commerce with people standing in
+doorways, or leaning from their windows, or hurrying with feverish haste
+in the direction of the New Chapel of St. Mary's, the parish church of
+the city. There a number of them congregated in twos or threes to await
+the procession of notables, who would soon approach with great solemnity
+and dignity from the opposite corner of the street.
+
+The celebration came about in this manner:
+
+It was the desire of M. Gerard, the Minister Plenipotentiary of France,
+to commemorate the anniversary day of the Independence of the United
+States in a religious manner. Arrangements already had been made to hold
+Divine worship earlier in the morning at Christ Church, at which the
+guests of honor were invited to be present. At twelve o'clock the
+congregation would march to the Church of St. Mary, where a military
+Mass and a solemn Te Deum would be sung. The Reverend Seraphin Bandol,
+chaplain to the French Embassy, would celebrate the Mass and deliver a
+sermon appropriate to the occasion.
+
+It had been fondly expected that the event would assume an international
+tone. Events had been moving with extraordinary rapidity towards the
+establishment of the Roman Catholic religion in the graces of the
+government, and this celebration might demonstrate the patriotic motives
+of the Catholic body beyond the shadow of a doubt. That a Congress,
+which of late had condemned in the strongest terms the practices of the
+Roman Catholic religion, could change in sentiment and action in so
+short a time, would be an unequivocal proof of the countenance and good
+will which the Catholic religion was beginning to acquire. At any rate
+the example set by the governing body of the new republic attending Mass
+in a Roman Catholic edifice, offering up their devout orisons in the
+language, service and worship of Rome, would be a memorable one, an
+augury of the new spirit of religious freedom which later would be
+breathed into the Constitution of these same States by these same men.
+
+Precisely at ten minutes before the hour they came, walking in pairs,
+headed by John Hancock, the President of the Continental Congress, and
+His Excellency M. Gerard, the French Ambassador. Immediately after the
+Congress, marched the Supreme Executive Council of Philadelphia with
+Joseph Reed at its head. Then came the French Embassy, resplendent in
+its dress of blue and gold. Prominent civilians, military officers, men
+of repute in city and nation, followed slowly along the crowded
+thoroughfare and as slowly made their way into the small edifice.
+General Washington was not present, having been prevented by duty in the
+field.
+
+Within, the little church murmured with low talking. Ordinarily, the
+congregation would have been absorbed in silent contemplation before the
+Presence of the Divine One, but the impressiveness of the occasion made
+the people depart from their usual fervor. The little church was only
+partly filled when the great procession arrived and every head
+instinctively turned in the direction of the entrance at the sound of
+their many footsteps. As they marched down the aisle every breath was
+held; then as they began to file into the pews reserved for them, the
+subdued murmur began again.
+
+Marjorie and her father sat to the rear of the church in the company of
+the early arrivals. In fact the entire Allison family occupied the same
+pew, pressed, indeed, for room on account of the multitude which crowded
+its way into the church and into the small aisles. Round about them on
+every side sat the congregation, some of whom were already familiar to
+them, the majority of whom, however, were total strangers. From their
+appearance and demeanor it was not difficult to conclude, Marjorie
+thought, that more than one-half of them were non-Catholic.
+
+The inside of the church was adorned in splendid array with the emblems
+of France and the United States. In the sanctuary, on each side of the
+altar, stood two large flags of the allied nations, while across the
+choir gallery in the rear of the church, there stretched in festoons,
+the colors of the infant republic superimposed in the middle by a shield
+bearing the likeness of Louis XVI. On the altar bloomed a variety of cut
+flowers, arranged in an artistic and fanciful manner on the steps of the
+reredos amidst a great profusion of white unlighted candles. The three
+highest candlesticks on each side had been lighted, and the little
+tongues of living flame were leaping from them joyfully. Over the
+tabernacle a large crucifix raised aloft, while just before the door of
+the tabernacle rested the chalice with its white veil, arranged in the
+form of a truncated triangle, shielding it from view.
+
+For several minutes after the honorable body had been seated there was a
+confusion of feet and forms as the members of the congregation surged
+into the church. The pews filled quickly, and the more tardy and less
+fortunate individuals sought places along the aisles and along the rear.
+Overhead the small organ gasped and panted the strains of a martial air,
+the uneven throbbing of its bellows emphasizing the fatigue and
+exhaustion of its faithful operator.
+
+"Is that the French Ambassador?" whispered Marjorie to her father.
+
+"With the brocade and lace. Yes. Next to him is Mr. Hancock, President
+of the Congress."
+
+She looked and saw the noble head and dignified bearing of the
+statesman. He sat very erect and majestic, presenting an appearance of
+taste and refinement in his suit of silken black.
+
+"There is Mr. Adams, John Adams, with the great powdered periwig. The
+tall thin man seated at his right is Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the
+Declaration. He is, without doubt, the scholar of the Congress."
+
+Marjorie followed his whispering with evident interest. Never had she
+been in the company of such notable men.
+
+"Who is that? See! He is turning sideways."
+
+"Livingston. Robert Livingston. Then the great Robert Morris, whose
+financial aid made possible the continuance of the war. His personal
+sacrifice for the cause of independence will never be computed. He is
+Washington's best friend."
+
+She peered through the crowd to catch a glimpse of the famous financier.
+
+"Do not overlook our staunch Catholic member of the Congress, Charles
+Carroll. Lest he might be mistaken for any other man of the same name he
+made bold to affix after his name on the Declaration of Independence,
+'of Carrollton.' A representative Catholic and a true patriot!"
+
+She recalled this, having seen the name of "Charles Carroll of
+Carrollton" on the printed copy of the Declaration.
+
+Mr. Allison again nudged his daughter with his elbow to attract her
+attention.
+
+"Can you see that elderly man with the sharp-pointed features over
+across?" he asked.
+
+She looked in the direction indicated but did not seem to be able to
+locate him.
+
+"The second pew, third man from the aisle."
+
+"Yes! Yes!" she exclaimed.
+
+"That is Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, the author of the resolution
+'That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and
+independent States.' That paved the way for the drawing up of the
+Declaration."
+
+The makers of history were before her, and her eyes danced at their
+sober and grave demeanor. Here sat the Congress, not all of it, but a
+goodly portion of it, which had voted unanimously in favor of complete
+separation from the mother country. Here were those very men who had
+risked their all, their fortunes, their homes, their lives for their
+country's cause. Here they now assembled, visibly burdened with the
+cares and the apprehensions of the past few years, still uncertain of
+the future, but steadfastly determined to endure to the bitter end,
+either to hang together or to rise to glorious triumphs together. And
+here they sat or knelt in the temple of God to rededicate their fortunes
+to Him, to accept from His hands the effects of His judgments, but at
+the same time to implore Him to look with favor upon their efforts and
+to render possible of realization those desires which were uppermost in
+their hearts. Marjorie thought that they could not, they must not fail,
+they, who were animated by such sincere devotion and by such sentiments
+of genuine piety.
+
+"Mr. Franklin isn't here?" she whispered.
+
+"No," he softly answered. "I think he has not returned from France. He
+was there, you know, when the Alliance was concluded. Lafayette only
+joined Washington last month. Did you know that he brought with him a
+commission from the French King to General Washington, appointing him
+Lieutenant-General in the French army and Vice-Admiral of its navy?"
+
+"No. I did not hear of it."
+
+"I suppose Franklin is still over there. He would be here, although he
+himself is an atheist. He believes in no form of religious worship. I
+should not say that he is an atheist for he does believe in One God, but
+that is about all."
+
+The murmur about the little church began to die away. Still the surging
+at the door continued until it seemed as if the small building would
+burst its sides with its great burden.
+
+The tinkle of a little bell sounding from the door leading from the
+sanctuary announced that the Mass was about to begin. On the instant the
+congregation rose and remained standing until Father Bandol, preceded
+by the altar boys, had reached the foot of the altar and made the
+genuflection.
+
+
+II
+
+High up in the gallery the choir broke into the strains of the "Kyrie"
+of the Mass, while the priest in a profound bow before the altar made
+his confession of sins. Marjorie took out her prayer-book and began to
+follow the Mass, meditating upon the mysteries of Our Lord's life as
+commemorated in the Holy Sacrifice.
+
+Ascending the altar, the priest passed at once to the right hand side
+where lay the Mass-Book, from which he read the Introit. He returned to
+the center and chanted in soft clear tones the "Gloria in Excelsis," the
+hymn of praise which the angels sang for the first time on Christmas
+night when Christ, the Lord, was born. This was taken up immediately by
+the choir. Meanwhile the congregation were seated during the singing of
+this hymn of praise to the Most High.
+
+The prayers of the Mass, prayers for our rulers, prayers for peace were
+sung by the celebrant, the people kneeling in an attitude of prayer
+while their priest interceded to God in their behalf. Having finished
+the prayers for the people a Lesson from one of St. Paul's Epistles was
+read, after which the priest passed to the left side of the altar to
+sing a passage from the Gospel. The people now stood to profess their
+belief in the faith and teachings of Jesus Christ.
+
+Marjorie and her father and mother recollected themselves quite during
+these solemn moments and no syllable of communication passed between
+them, all assisting at the service with prayer-books or beads,
+following every movement of the priest intelligently and with devotion.
+
+The congregation were permitted to sit while the celebrant of the Mass
+offered the materials for the sacrifice, unleavened bread and the pure
+juice of the grape, to Almighty God, to adore Him above all other
+things, to thank Him for all the graces and blessings bestowed by Him on
+mankind, to satisfy His justice for the sins of man and to implore Him
+for whatever favors He might deign to bestow.
+
+Soon the voice of Father Bandol resounded through the church with the
+opening tones of the Preface of the Mass, the responses to which were
+made by the members of the choir. Slowly and solemnly he chanted the
+notes of praise, ending with the "Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of Hosts."
+A sound from the bell gave the warning that the awful moment was about
+to arrive, the moment when the ambassador of Christ would exercise the
+power communicated to him from Jesus Himself through the Twelve and
+their successors, the power of changing the substance of bread and wine
+into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
+
+The people bent forward in an attitude of humble adoration. Marjorie
+buried her face in her hands on the top of the forward pew, pouring out
+her heart in praise and thanksgiving to her God and Master. In profound
+reverence she remained while the priest pronounced the mystical words
+"Hoc est enim corpus meum" over the species and effected the mystery of
+mysteries, the translation of Christ's Mystical Body to the elements of
+the earth, in the transubstantiation of the Mass. Now Her Lord was
+present before her; now the Divinity of His Person was but a few feet
+away, clothed, not in flesh and blood, but under the appearances of
+bread and wine; now Her Creator was with her, lying on the white
+corporal of the altar and she poured forth her soul to Him in accents of
+adoration and supplication.
+
+"O my God!" she breathed. "I adore Thee through Jesus; I beg pardon
+through Jesus; I thank Thee through Jesus; I humbly ask every blessing
+and grace through Jesus. May I lead a holy life and die a good death. My
+Jesus! mercy! My Jesus! mercy! My Jesus! mercy!"
+
+The prayers for the dead were read and the Pater Noster was chanted. A
+signal from the bell announced that the priest's communion was about to
+take place and that the distribution of the Sacred Body would be made to
+as many as desired to partake of it. It was Sunday and the majority of
+the Catholics present had been in attendance at an earlier Mass, on
+which account there were no communicants at this later one. The closing
+ceremonies were concluded with the reading of the Gospel of St. John,
+when Father Bandol turned towards the congregation to begin his address.
+Every member present sat upright in his seat and awaited the message
+which was about to fall from the lips of the priest.
+
+
+III
+
+"My dear brethren," he said, "we are assembled to celebrate the
+anniversary of that day which Providence had marked, in His eternal
+decrees, to become the epoch of liberty and independence to the thirteen
+United States of America."
+
+There was a silence throughout the church which was breathless. Every
+eye was focused on the vested form before the altar.
+
+"That Being whose almighty hand holds all existence beneath its dominion
+undoubtedly produces in the depths of His wisdom those great events
+which astonish the world and of which the most presumptuous, though
+instrumental in accomplishing them, dare not attribute to themselves the
+merit. But the finger of God is still more peculiarly evidenced in that
+happy, that glorious revolution which calls forth this day's festivity.
+He hath struck the oppressors of a free people--free and peaceful, with
+the spirit of delusion which renders the wicked artificers of their own
+proper misfortunes.
+
+"Permit me, my dear brethren, citizens of the United States, to address
+you on this occasion. It is that God, that all powerful God, who hath
+directed your steps; who, when you were without arms fought for you the
+sword of justice; who, when you were in adversity, poured into your
+hearts the spirit of courage, of wisdom, and fortitude, and who hath, at
+length, raised up for your support a youthful sovereign whose virtues
+bless and adorn a sensible, a fruitful and a generous nation."
+
+The French Ambassador bowed his head in profound acquiescence.
+
+"This nation hath blended her interest with your interest and her
+sentiments with yours. She participates in all your joys, and this day
+unites her voice to yours at the foot of the altars of the eternal God
+to celebrate that glorious revolution which has placed the sons of
+America among the free and independent nations of the earth.
+
+"We have nothing now to apprehend but the anger of Heaven, or that the
+measure of our guilt should exceed His mercy. Let us then prostrate
+ourselves at the feet of the immortal God, who holds the fate of empires
+in His hands, and raises them up at His pleasure, or breaks them down to
+dust. Let us conjure Him to enlighten our enemies, and to dispose their
+hearts to enjoy that tranquillity and happiness which the Revolution we
+now celebrate has established for a great part of the human race. Let us
+implore Him to conduct us by that way which His Providence has marked
+out for arriving at so desirable an end. Let us offer unto Him hearts
+imbued with sentiments of respect, consecrated by religion, humanity and
+patriotism. Never is the august ministry of His altars more acceptable
+to His Divine Majesty than when it lays at His feet homages, offerings
+and vows, so pure, so worthy the common offerings of mankind.
+
+"God will not regret our joy, for He is the author of it; nor will He
+forget our prayers, for they ask but the fulfillment of the decrees He
+has manifested. Filled with this spirit, let us, in concert with one
+another, raise our hearts to the Eternal; let us implore His infinite
+mercy to be pleased to inspire the rulers of both nations with the
+wisdom and force necessary to perfect what He hath begun. Let us, in a
+word, unite our voices to beseech Him to dispense His blessings upon the
+counsels and the arms of the allies and that we may soon enjoy the
+sweets of a peace which will soon cement the Union and establish the
+prosperity of the two empires."
+
+The same religious silence prevailed; indeed there sat many in the same
+immovable posture. But it was evident that the words were being received
+with pleasure and satisfaction. Signs of approval appeared on every
+face.
+
+"It is with this view," the priest concluded, "that we shall cause that
+canticle to be chanted, which the custom of the Catholic Church hath
+consecrated, to be at once a testimonial of public joy, a thanksgiving
+for benefits received from heaven, and a prayer for the continuance of
+its mercies."
+
+
+IV
+
+He had done. As he stepped to the floor of the sanctuary and took his
+stand before the center of the altar a pronounced disturbance,
+accompanied by much coughing, made itself manifest. This was followed by
+a great rumble as the entire congregation rose to its feet to await the
+intonation of the Te Deum.
+
+Pleasant and sweet rose Father Bandol's voice above the rustling in the
+opening notes of that most majestic of all hymns of praise:
+
+"Te Deum laudamus: te Dominum confitemur."
+
+And immediately the vast throng took up the melody and there
+reverberated throughout the church, escaping through the open doors and
+windows, across the streets and over the roof-tops, up to the topmost
+regions of the heavens, to the very gates of heaven itself, the strains
+of the Ambrosian hymn of thanksgiving and praise which the members of
+the American Congress sang to the God of Nations and of Battles in the
+little chapel of St. Mary's on the anniversary day of the signing of the
+greatest exposition of a freeman's rights ever penned by the hand of
+man.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V
+
+
+I
+
+The wayfarer on this July afternoon in the fifth year of American
+Independence might have passed on the main thoroughfare leading into the
+city of Philadelphia from the townships of Bristol and Trenton, a young
+and powerfully built officer astride a spirited chestnut mare. The
+countryside, through which he was journeying, stretched for miles around
+in peaceful solitude, teeming and delightful with that leafy and rich
+green livery which we are accustomed to associate with the idea of
+abundance. Overhead the sky was clear, from which the sun blazed down
+great billows of heat that hovered over the landscape, giving vigor and
+enthusiasm to the various forms of vegetable life, but at the same time
+causing the animal world to drowse and languish in discomfort.
+
+It was plain to be seen that the horseman was an officer of the
+Continental Army. His mount, young and well groomed, gave every
+indication of a long ride, its nostrils dilated, its mouth moist with
+foam, its sides streaky with strings of sweat. Haste was desired, it was
+apparent, although in the more exposed portions of the roadway the mare
+was allowed to walk, her rider affectionately patting her neck or
+coaxing her along with an encouraging remark.
+
+"Look, Dolly! There is some soft, tender grass to cool your lips. We
+shall take some."
+
+And he turned the mare to the side of the road and allowed her to
+nibble at the greensward.
+
+Soon they were again on their way, she munching the while on the last
+mouthful, now walking, now impatiently breaking into a canter; Stephen,
+holding her in check with his hand, looked far ahead at the roofs of the
+city beyond. Through his mind there passed in review the incidents of
+the day, the memory of his business just concluded, the speculation of
+the future of the army, the contemplation of his reception by Marjorie.
+
+He had been away for more than a month. During that time he was engaged
+in business of the gravest nature. Many hours had been spent in the
+company of the Commander-in-chief before whom he had laid an account of
+his varied activities in the city. The proposed plan for the formation
+of the regiment of Roman Catholic Volunteers, with all its ramifications
+and side issues, together with an account of his own adventures in its
+respect, was reported faithfully and accurately to his superior. The
+person of John Anderson, his suspicions concerning him, the strangely
+formed friendship of the spy with the Military Governor, were indicated
+with only that amount of reserve necessary to distinguish a moral from
+an absolute certitude. Events had moved with great rapidity, yet he felt
+assured that the real crisis was only now impending, for which reason he
+desired to return to the city so as to be ready for any service which
+might be required.
+
+"Go along, girl. We want to reach home by noon."
+
+Dolly heeded him and began to canter.
+
+Washington had not taken kindly to his suggestion for the recall of
+General Arnold's command; in fact he had treated the proposal with a
+scorn worthy of his strong sense and dauntless courage. It was plain to
+be seen that His Excellency had placed much reliance and confidence in
+his favorite officer. It was impossible to create so much as a suspicion
+in the mind of him, who had been compelled to endure irksome suppression
+at the hands of a cabalistic and jealous military party, and who, for
+that very reason, took a magnanimous view of the plight of one beset
+with similar persecutions. General Arnold was in his eyes a brave and
+fearless leader, but one unfortunately annoyed and tormented by the
+machinations of an ungrateful and intolerant populace.
+
+And so when it came to pass that the one General, whom he had admired
+and trusted, applied for an active command in the field, General
+Washington cordially granted the request. If the wounded limb would
+permit it, there was no doubt in the mind of His Excellency that General
+Arnold would prove the most heroic and able officer along the line.
+Lincoln was gone, having been forced to surrender with his entire army
+at Charleston only six weeks before. Green was engaged with the army in
+the Carolinas; Gates was a coward; Lee, a traitor. In the important
+operations which were soon to take place with the main army in the
+vicinity of New York, Arnold was the leader best qualified for the task.
+Washington took extreme delight in appointing him to the command of the
+Right Wing of his own army and the Second in Command of the Continental
+forces.
+
+It was with genuine reluctance that he consented to listen to the
+strange story as unfolded by his aide-de-camp, Captain Meagher. That
+General Arnold should openly countenance rebellion was preposterous; to
+become a party to it was incredible. Yet the veracity of his aide was
+unquestionable, and the wealth of evidence which he had presented left
+little room for doubt. Still Washington's faith was unshaken. He felt
+assured that his favorite General would redeem himself when the proper
+time came. And every encouragement for this redemption would be afforded
+him.
+
+West Point was open. He would recall the order appointing him to the
+command of the army and make him commander of the fortification there.
+The exigencies of the times required a man of rare ability and genius at
+this post. Should there prove to be a shadow of truth in the allegations
+of his aide, the change of command would simplify the situation from
+whatever viewpoint it might be regarded. The country might be preserved,
+and Arnold's ambition at the same time given another opportunity.
+
+Stephen ruminated over these events as he rode leisurely along. A
+genuine satisfaction was derived from the knowledge that his chief's
+confidence in him was still unshaken. He felt that he had effected a
+change of post for the man whom, above all other men, Washington most
+admired and respected; nevertheless he felt that at the same time he was
+only executing a service which would ultimately prove to be of
+incalculable value to the army and the nation. Arnold troubled him, but
+in command of a fortress he would occasion infinitely less worry and
+apprehension than in a responsible position in the field.
+
+Marjorie delighted him. At Morristown he had found her letter; and his
+plans for the immediate present underwent a decided alteration. He had
+been ordered to make the journey to Hartford in attendance upon General
+Washington, who had already completed arrangements with Count Rochambeau
+and Admiral Ternay of the French navy for a conference there in
+reference to the proposed naval operations of the combined fleets. With
+the letter in his hand he had sought and obtained a further leave of
+absence from his Commander-in-chief in order that his own campaign for
+the winning of the lady of his heart might be brought to a quick and
+decisive termination.
+
+He had left the city, not hurt nor wounded as she had supposed, but
+somewhat disappointed at the manner of her expression. Her apparent
+coolness and unconcern he had ascribed rather to her extreme diffidence
+and shyness than to want of appreciation or sincerity. That she truly
+cared for him, he knew full well; that he would eventually win her to
+him was a faltering conviction. But, now, there was no further doubt.
+She had written him pages into which she had poured out her heart in
+generous and unmistakable accents, and which he had read and re-read
+with growing delight.
+
+Washington could not refuse his request. He made no attempt to conceal
+the nature of his mission and obtained not alone His Excellency's
+gracious permission but his sincere wishes for success as well. With a
+heart buoyant with joy and anticipation he spurred on his mare and
+pushed her to her worth in the direction of the city and the object of
+his quest.
+
+
+II
+
+He rode into the city well aware that the first news to reach him would
+be that of the exodus of the Arnolds.
+
+"You came straight through town, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes," replied Stephen.
+
+"And came here direct?" continued Mr. Allison.
+
+"I quartered my mare, first. I thought immediately of the Inn as the
+place to gather the news. So I hastened hither."
+
+"There's been heaps doin'," Jim remarked casually.
+
+"Never saw such excitement since the day of the regiment," observed the
+keeper of the Inn, a well-mannered and well-educated gentleman, above
+middle age, who held the enviable position of inn-keeper and lawyer
+alike. Every inn-keeper of this age commanded much of respect in the
+community, for it was he who received the money of the people, and money
+commanded the necessities of life--a good bed, good things to eat,
+attentive servants; but Mr. Smith, the keeper of the Old London Coffee
+House, was the most respectable inn-keeper in the city, the proud
+possessor of a very pretty library and an excellent table where
+cleanliness and decency vied with dignity and self-respect.
+
+"Arnold, you know, has left the city," volunteered Mr. Allison.
+
+"Yes, I have surmised," was the reply.
+
+"Gone, an' all belongin' to 'im."
+
+"And closed his mansion?" Stephen inquired.
+
+"Tight. Mrs. Arnold went with him. They left yesterday."
+
+"But I thought----"
+
+"To the army? I understand he had been appointed to field duty under
+Washington. Second in Command, they say. But that has been changed. He
+has gone to West Point."
+
+Stephen did not answer.
+
+"It seems," went on Mr. Allison, "that he has been seeking a change of
+post for several months. His leg still bothers him, however, and very
+likely prevented him from doing active duty in the field. On that
+account, it has been said, he was given charge of the fortress. It is an
+important post, nevertheless, and carries with it a certain amount of
+distinction."
+
+"Hope he gits along better with 'em up there 'n he did here," remarked
+Jim. "He won't hev the s'ciety folks t' bother 'im now."
+
+"When did he leave?"
+
+"No one knows. There was no demonstration of any kind. It differed much
+from the farewell of General Howe. Arnold left in disgrace, it would
+seem," said the Inn-keeper, as he moved away to give his attention to
+other business.
+
+"And Peggy gone, too?" Stephen was genuinely surprised at this, for he
+rather expected that she would remain with her mother.
+
+"I am sure that the majority of our people are greatly pleased at the
+change," said Mr. Allison. "I never saw one sink to such depths of
+contempt. He came to the city as Military Governor in a blaze of
+triumph, the most celebrated soldier in the army, whose rise to popular
+esteem was only accelerated by the knowledge of the harsh treatment
+received by him at the hands of Congress after the battle of Saratoga.
+He was the idol alike of soldiers and civilians. Their hearts were his
+without the asking. That was two years ago. Today he left the city in
+the fullness of his years, in secret, after so many plaudits, in
+obloquy, after so much honor."
+
+"It is a sad commentary on human nature," Stephen observed. "Yet in all
+things else I blame the woman. 'Cherchez la femme.'"
+
+The room already was reeky from the clouds of tobacco smoke streaming
+upwards from the pipes of the several guests who were lounging in small
+groups about the room. There were several parties in as many corners,
+each wholly unconcerned about the other. The conversation of our trio
+was therefore private insofar as any privacy can be expected in an inn.
+Only the boisterous individual made himself heard, and then only to the
+displeasure of the others.
+
+Leaving the two at the Inn, Stephen bade them adieu and directed his
+journey in the direction of Second Street. Hastening his steps he soon
+reached the Germantown road, and as he turned the bend perceived the
+familiar outline of the Allison home. Little did he suspect, however,
+that the curtains of one of the upper windows concealed a lithe form and
+that his swift gait was being interpreted with a world of meaning. He
+laid his hand on the gate, and even then Marjorie had opened the door to
+meet him.
+
+
+III
+
+"First of all," she said, "how long may you remain? Will you dine with
+us, or what?"
+
+"I shall be most pleased. I have several days. His Excellency has gone
+to Hartford to engage in conference. It was intended that I should
+accompany the staff. I begged leave, however, to return to
+Philadelphia."
+
+They were seated on the sofa in the distant corner of the parlor. They
+were quite alone now for the first time, the mother having asked to be
+excused after many minutes with the announcement that since he would be
+pleased to remain, the supper must needs be prepared. No, Marjorie need
+not help her. She might entertain Captain Meagher.
+
+"It's glorious to see you again," he said, sitting down beside her after
+Mrs. Allison had departed from the room.
+
+"I am glad you have come," she replied softly, rubbing her hand across
+her apron as if to arrange it neatly.
+
+"But you knew that I would come, didn't you?"
+
+"I thought so."
+
+"And yet I greatly feared that it would not be possible. Preparations
+are being made for the final campaign, and it is expected that the
+French will be asked to play an important part."
+
+"It was very generous of His Excellency to grant you leave."
+
+He began to smile.
+
+"Could you guess how I obtained it?" he asked.
+
+She turned to regard him.
+
+"What have you done?" she asked soberly.
+
+"Showed him your letter."
+
+"Stephen!" she gasped as she drew back.
+
+Neither spoke. He continued to smile at her apparent concern, while she
+stared at him.
+
+"Do you mean it?" she asked; then quickly--"or are you teasing?"
+
+"I did. I showed the letter to him, and asked if I might return to you."
+
+"He read it?"
+
+"There! There! I am joking. He did not read it, but I did have it in my
+hand, and I told him about you and that I was going back to take you
+with me."
+
+Satisfied, she allowed herself to assume a more relaxed composure.
+
+"You are going to destroy it, aren't you?"
+
+He took it from his pocket and looked at it. She, too, glanced at it,
+and then at him.
+
+"May I keep it? I treasure every word of it, you know."
+
+"Did you but know how it was composed, you might ridicule me."
+
+"I suppose you closed yourself behind some great veil to shut out the
+world from your view. Your mind toiled with thought until you were
+resolved upon the heroic. There was no scheme nor formula; your quill
+ran on and on in obedience to the flood of ideas which inspired it."
+
+She lapsed into meditation; but she recovered herself immediately.
+
+"No," she shook her head slowly though steadily. "At midnight with the
+aid of a little candle which burned itself out quite before the end."
+
+He looked up sharply.
+
+"That night?"
+
+She nodded.
+
+He put his arms around her and drew her close. She made no resistance,
+but allowed herself to fall into his embrace.
+
+"Marjorie!" he whispered.
+
+She yielded both her hands to his grasp and felt them compressed within
+it.
+
+"You were not hurt at my seeming indiscretion?"
+
+"I told you in my letter that I was not."
+
+"Then you do love me?"
+
+She drew back a little as if to glance at him.
+
+"You know that I do," was the soft, reassuring answer.
+
+"Won't you let me hear you say it?" he pleaded.
+
+Reaching out, she put both arms about him and offered her lips to his,
+whispering at the same time only what he was destined to hear.
+
+Presently the old clock began to strike the hour of five.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI
+
+
+I
+
+"Father! Father! Where are you? Arnold has betrayed! He has betrayed his
+country!"
+
+Breathless, Marjorie rushed into the hallway, leaving the door ajar
+behind her. It was late in the afternoon of a September day. The air was
+soft and hazy, tempered with just the chill of evening that comes at
+this time of the year before sundown.
+
+More than two months had passed, months crowded with happiness which had
+filled her life with fancy. Her engagement to Captain Meagher had been
+announced, quietly and simply; their marriage was to take place in the
+fall. Day after day sped by and hid themselves in the records of time
+until the event, anxiously awaited, yet equally dreaded, was but a bare
+month distant. It would be a quiet affair after all, with no ostentation
+or display; but that would in no wise prevent her from looking her
+prettiest.
+
+And so on this September afternoon while she was visiting the shops for
+the purpose of discovering whatever tempting and choice bits of ware
+they might have to offer, she thought she heard the blast of a trumpet
+from the direction of the balcony of the old Governor's Mansion.
+Attracted by the sound, which recalled to her mind a former occasion
+when the news of the battle of Monmouth was brought to the city by
+courier and announced to the public, she quickened her steps in the
+direction of the venerable building. True, a man was addressing the
+people who had congregated beneath the balcony. Straining every faculty
+she caught the awful news.
+
+Straightway she sped homewards, running as often as her panting breath
+would allow. She did not wait to open the door, but seemed to burst
+through it.
+
+"What was that, child?" her father asked quickly as he met her in the
+dining-room.
+
+"Arnold ... Arnold ..." she repeated, waiting to catch her breath.
+
+"Has betrayed, you say?"
+
+"West Point."
+
+"My God! We are lost."
+
+He threw his hands heavenwards and started across the floor.
+
+"What is it, Marjorie?" asked the mother, who now stood in the
+passageway, a corner of her apron held in both hands, a look of wonder
+and suspicion full upon her.
+
+"No, Father!" the girl replied, apparently heedless of her mother's
+presence, "West Point is saved. Arnold has gone."
+
+"Let him go. But West Point is still ours? Thank God! He is with the
+British, I suppose?"
+
+"So they say. The plot was discovered in the nick of time. His
+accomplice was captured and the papers found upon him."
+
+"When did this happen?"
+
+"Only a few days ago. The courier was dispatched at once to the members
+of Congress. The message was delivered today."
+
+"And General Arnold tried to sell West Point to the British?" commented
+Mrs. Allison, who had listened as long as possible to the disconnected
+story. "A scoundrel of a man."
+
+"Three Americans arrested a suspicious man in the neighborhood of
+Tarrytown. Upon searching him they discovered some papers in the
+handwriting of Arnold containing descriptions of the fortress. They took
+him for a spy."
+
+"I thought as much," said Mrs. Allison. "Didn't I tell you that Arnold
+would do something like that? I knew it. I knew it."
+
+"Thank God he is not one of us," was Mr. Allison's grave reply. "His act
+would only serve to fan into fury the dormant flames of Pope Day."
+
+"This is an act of vengeance," Marjorie reflected. "He never forgot his
+court-martial, and evidently sought his country's ruin in revenge.
+Adversities he could contend with; humiliation he could not endure."
+
+The little group presented a varied scene. The girl, young, tender, was
+plainly animated with a strong undercurrent of excitement which thrilled
+her entire frame, flushing her cheeks and sparkling in her eyes. Her
+tender years, her inexperience with the world, her guileless mind and
+frank open manner had not yet prepared her for the enormity of the crime
+which had of a sudden been flashed full upon her. For the moment
+realization had given way to wonder. She sensed only the magnitude of
+the tragedy without its atrocious and more insidious details. On the
+other hand there was the father, composed and imperturbable, to whom the
+disclosure of this scheme of the blackest treason was but another
+chapter added to the year of disasters which was just coming to a close.
+His more astute mind, schooled by long experience with the world and its
+artifices, had taught him to view the transit of events with a certain
+philosophy, a sort of pragmatic philosophy, with reference to the causes
+and the results of events and how they bore on the practical utility of
+all concerned; and finally the mother, who in her devout and pious way,
+saw only the Holy Will of God working in all things for His own praise
+and glory.
+
+"And they found the dispatches in his own writing?" the father asked
+deliberately.
+
+"In his stockings, beneath the soles of his feet."
+
+Again there was silence.
+
+"He is a prisoner?"
+
+"Of course. He was arrested for a spy. They say he is an Adjutant in the
+British army. He was in full disguise."
+
+"Hm!"
+
+Mr. Allison set his lips.
+
+"I think," continued Marjorie, "that it was the effect of a stroke of
+good fortune. He was taken by three men who were lying in wait for
+robbers. Otherwise he might have continued his journey in safety and the
+plot would have succeeded."
+
+"Thank God and His Blessed Mother!" breathed Mrs. Allison as she clasped
+her hands together before her in an attitude of prayer.
+
+"And Arnold?" methodically asked Mr. Allison.
+
+"He escaped to the British lines. I do not know how, but it seems that
+he has departed. The one important item, which pleased and interested
+the people, was the capture of the spy and the frustration of the plot."
+
+The father left the chair and began to pace the room, his hands behind
+him.
+
+"It is a bad blow. Too bad! Too bad!" he repeated. "I do not like it,
+for it will destroy the courage and confidence of our people. Arnold
+was the idol of the army, and I fear that his defection will create a
+great change of heart."
+
+"The army will be better off without him," said Mrs. Allison.
+
+"I agree with you," was the reply. "But the people may decide in a
+different manner. There is reason for worry."
+
+"What was the effect of Lee's attempted treason?" spoke up Marjorie.
+"The people loathe him, and he will die an outcast."
+
+"There is no punishment too severe for Lee. He has been from the start
+nothing but a selfish adventurer. But the cases are not parallel. Lee
+was never popular with the army. Arnold, you must remember, was the most
+successful leader in the field and the officer most prized by the
+Commander-in-chief."
+
+"Nevertheless he will sink as fast as he climbed, I think. The country
+must not tolerate a traitor."
+
+"Must not! But will not the circumstance alter the case? I say that
+unless the proofs of Arnold's treason are irrefutable, the people will
+be slow to believe. I don't like it. I don't."
+
+There was some logic in his argument which began to impress Marjorie.
+Arnold could exercise a tremendous amount of influence over the army.
+Whether the strings of loyalty which had united their hearts with his
+would be now snapped by his act of perfidy was the mooted question. As a
+matter of fact a spirit of mutiny already was beginning to make itself
+manifest. The soldiers of Pennsylvania who were encamped on the heights
+of Morristown marched out of camp the following January and set out for
+Philadelphia. They were rebuked by Washington, who sent a letter by
+General Wayne, whereupon they returned to their posts. Later in the same
+month another mutiny occurred among the New Jersey troops, but this,
+too, was quickly suppressed. Just how much responsibility for these
+uprisings might be traced to the treason of Arnold can not be estimated.
+There is no question, however, that his act was not wholly unproductive
+of its psychological effects.
+
+"I feel so sorry for Peggy," Marjorie sighed.
+
+"The young wife has a sore burden thrown upon her. A sorry day it was
+when she met him," was Mrs. Allison's comment.
+
+"Strange, I never suspected Peggy for a moment," Marjorie said. "I had
+been raised with her and thought we knew each other. I am sorry, very
+sorry."
+
+"We do not know how much she is concerned with this," announced Mr.
+Allison, "but her ambition knew no restraint or limitation. She has her
+peerage now."
+
+"And her husband?"
+
+"The grave of a traitor, the sole immortality of degraded ambition,
+religious prejudice, treason and infamy."
+
+"God help him!" exclaimed Mrs. Allison.
+
+
+II
+
+In July, 1780, General Arnold had been placed in command of West Point;
+two months later he was safe on board the British sloop-of-war,
+_Vulture_. He had attempted to betray his country; he received in
+exchange six thousand pounds sterling, together with a brigadiership in
+the British Army.
+
+From the time he left Philadelphia until the morning of his flight he
+had kept up a continual correspondence with John Anderson. Information
+was at length conveyed to him that Sir Henry Clinton was in possession
+of advices that the American Commander-in-chief contemplated an advance
+on New York by way of King's Bridge. Clinton's scheme would allow the
+army of General Washington to move upon the city, having collected all
+his magazines at the fortification at West Point, but at a given moment
+Arnold was expected to surrender the fort and garrison and compel the
+army of Washington to retire immediately or else suffer capture in the
+field.
+
+Still Arnold felt that everything was not quite settled between Sir
+Henry and himself, and wrote accordingly, advising that a written
+guarantee be forwarded or delivered in person to him by an officer of
+Sir Henry's staff of his own mensuration. He was informed by way of
+reply that the necessary meeting might be arranged, and that the
+emissary would be the Adjutant-General of the British Army.
+
+Accordingly the British sloop _Vulture_ moved up the river as far as
+Stony Point, bearing the Adjutant-General. Arnold had fixed on the house
+of Joshua Smith as the place for the meeting. On the night of the
+twenty-first of September, he sent a boat to the _Vulture_ which brought
+the emissary shore. In a thick grove of cedars, in the shroud of the
+blackest night, Arnold waited the return of the rowboat, its oars
+muffled with sheepskins, its passenger on board. The latter sprang
+lightly to the shore, his large blue watchcoat and high boots alone
+visible. As he climbed the bank and approached the grove, he threw back
+his cloak and revealed the full British uniform of a general officer.
+
+"Anderson?" Arnold exclaimed. "You?"
+
+"No! Andre, Major Andre," was the reply.
+
+"Hm! I thought as much. I suspected you from the moment I met you in
+Philadelphia."
+
+"Come. Let us finish. I must return before daybreak."
+
+"Where is your disguise? I advised you to come in disguise."
+
+He understood the piercing glance.
+
+"I have come thus under General Clinton's orders," was the reply. "My
+safety lies in open uniform."
+
+"Let it go at that. Here! I have with me the plans of West Point,
+together with a full inventory of its armament and stores and a roster
+of its garrison."
+
+Andre took the papers and glanced at them as best he could by means of
+the lantern light.
+
+"But I do not see here a written promise to surrender the fortress?"
+
+"No! Nor, by Heaven, you shall not receive it," Arnold snapped. "I have
+given my word. That is enough. I have already placed myself in your
+hands by these plans and inventories made in my own handwriting. This is
+all.... No more."
+
+"General Washington visits here on Saturday?"
+
+"Yes."
+
+"The surrender must take place that night."
+
+Arnold looked fiercely at him. This was one matter which seemed
+intolerable. To betray his country was treason; to betray his sole
+friend and benefactor was unknown to him by any name in the English
+language. He refused absolutely. Andre insisted, and the discussion
+became violent.
+
+Neither became aware of the dawn which was about to break through the
+thicket of fir-trees which bounded the opposite bank of the Hudson.
+Still the details had not been arranged; the matter of Arnold's reward
+was still unsettled. There had been various promises of compensation,
+maintenance of military rank, a peerage or a viceroyalty in one of the
+colonies, but Andre was empowered to offer no more than compensation and
+military rank. With the dawning light, the boatmen became alarmed and
+refused to take Andre back to his ship, with the result that the two
+conspirators were obliged to pass the time until the next night in the
+house of Joshua Smith.
+
+It so happened that the day brought to pass an unforeseen accident.
+Livingston, the Colonel of "Congress' Own," in command of the batteries
+on the opposite side of the river at Verplanck's Point, opened fire upon
+the _Vulture_, compelling her to drop down the river. It was necessary,
+therefore, for Major Andre to proceed by land down the opposite shore
+until he had met with his vessel, and so late at night he departed, his
+uniform and coat exchanged for a disguise, the six papers in Arnold's
+handwriting crammed between his stockings and feet.
+
+It also happened, by a strange irony of fate, that a party of American
+soldiers had set out that very morning to intercept a band of robbers
+who had infested the roadways of this neighborhood, and who had rendered
+the highways impassable because of their depredations. Near Tarrytown,
+three of this party confronted a passing traveler, and leveling their
+muskets at him, ordered him to halt. They were obeyed on the instant,
+and because of the suspicious manner of the stranger, a complete search
+of him was made. The set of papers was found in their hiding place, and
+he was placed under arrest, and sent to North Castle. There the papers
+were examined, and instead of being sent to General Arnold himself,
+were forwarded to His Excellency, who was known to be lodged at West
+Point. At the same time a complementary letter was sent to General
+Arnold, informing him of what had taken place.
+
+He was at breakfast when the news was brought him. The letter was
+crumbled in his hand as he hastily arose from the table and rushed to
+Peggy's room where he acquainted her of his fate. She screamed and
+fainted. He stooped to kiss his sleeping child; then rushing from the
+house was soon mounted and on his way to the place where he knew a barge
+had been anchored. Jumping aboard he ordered the oarsmen to take him to
+the _Vulture_, eighteen miles down the river. Next morning he was safe
+within the enemy's lines at New York.
+
+
+III
+
+The minute details of the attempted plot had not filtered into
+Philadelphia when a demonstration had begun in celebration of its
+frustration. Spontaneously and exuberantly the citizens of the city
+gathered in the public square and for several hours the joy-making
+continued with unabated energy and enthusiasm. Like a flash it seemed
+that the full realization of what this news had meant broke like a
+rushing tide upon their consciousness. The country had been threatened;
+but the danger had been averted.
+
+In a few hours the streets were mad with hundreds of people singing and
+shouting and marching in unrestrained glee. Bulletins had been posted in
+the public square acquainting the people of the great facts, yet this
+did not begin to equal the amount of news which had been relayed from
+mouth to mouth and grew in detail and magnitude as it went. Chains,
+trays, broken iron were dragged in rattling bundles up and down the
+streets amid the laughs and cheers of the mass of humanity that had
+swarmed upon the roadways and sidewalks.
+
+Marjorie and her father were among the early arrivals on Market Street.
+Little by little items of information came to them as they alternately
+talked with their many acquaintances. Out of the many and varied
+accounts one or two points had stood out prominently--Arnold had
+attempted to surrender the fortress while Washington was lodged there in
+the hope that complete disaster would befall the American cause; he had
+completed negotiations with the British emissary; who was known as Major
+Andre, whom the people of Philadelphia associated with the person of
+John Anderson, a frequent visitor of the Arnolds during their stay in
+the city; the officer had been taken prisoner by the American forces and
+the papers found upon him; while Arnold and his wife had escaped to the
+British forces in the city of New York.
+
+When the gayety seemed to have attained its climax, a procession began
+to wend its way through the howling crowd. There was no attempt at
+regular formation, the multitude trailing along in whatever order seemed
+most desirable to them. In the midst of the line of march, two gaunt
+figures towered aloft over the heads of the marchers, the one bearing a
+placard upon which was scrawled the name "Arnold the traitor," the
+other, "Andre the spy." These were carried with great acclaim several
+times around the city until the procession rested at the square, where
+amid cheers and huzzas they were publicly burned. This seemed to
+satisfy the crowd, for they gradually began to disperse. The hour was
+late and Marjorie and her father journeyed homewards, passing the
+watchman at the corner as he announced the hour, "Eleven o'clock and
+Arnold is burned."
+
+The state bordering on frenzy into which the mob had been cast was
+responsible, for the most part, for the violence of the celebration,
+nevertheless there stood many sober and composed individuals apart from
+the ranks who had looked on in silent acquiescence during the riotous
+proceedings. Arnold had fallen to the lowest ebb of infamy and contempt
+so that even his past services were entirely forgotten. There was no
+palliation. There were no extenuating circumstances. The enormity of his
+crime alone mattered. His name could not be mentioned without a shudder.
+
+Mount Pleasant was not permitted to remain idle. It soon was seized by
+the city authorities and rented to Baron Steuben, the disciplinarian of
+the American Army and the author of its first Manual of Arms. The
+household furniture, too, had been removed and offered for sale at
+public auction, while the coach and four was bought by a trader at the
+Coffee House. Arnold's presence in the city was now no more than a
+memory--a memory, indeed, but a sad one.
+
+"He would never escape the fury of that crowd," Mr. Allison observed to
+his daughter as the two journeyed homewards.
+
+"They would surely put him to death."
+
+"If they ever lay hands on him--they might perhaps cut off his wounded
+leg, but the rest of him they would burn."
+
+She considered.
+
+"I can scarce believe it--it seems too awful."
+
+"Well! I never could see much good in a bigot. A man with a truly broad
+and charitable soul has no room in him for base designs. Arnold would
+crucify us if he could, yet we have lived to see him repudiated by his
+own."
+
+"It does seem after all that God takes care of His own. Even the sparrow
+does not fall to the ground."
+
+Plainly the spirit of the evening had awakened a serious vein of thought
+in the two. They could take no delight in a tragedy so intimately
+interwoven with pity and compassion. The fate of the two principal
+actors, the courageous Arnold and the ambitious Andre, erstwhile known
+as Anderson, could not fail to touch their hearts. Their lot was not
+enviable; but it was lamentable.
+
+"And John Anderson, too," said Marjorie, "I cannot believe it."
+
+"When the truth is known, I am of the opinion that he will be more
+pitied and less condemned. Arnold was the chief actor. Andre a mere
+pawn."
+
+"How brilliant he was! You remember his visits? The afternoon at the
+piano?"
+
+"Yes. He was talented. But to what purpose?"
+
+"I am sorry."
+
+And so were the many.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII
+
+
+I
+
+"Stephen, wilt thou take Marjorie here present for thy lawful wife,
+according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?"
+
+Audibly and distinctly resounded the voice of Father Farmer throughout
+the little church as he read from the Roman Ritual the form of the
+sacrament of Matrimony.
+
+"I will," answered Stephen deliberately.
+
+"Marjorie, wilt thou take Stephen here present for thy lawful husband,
+according to the rite of our Holy Mother, the Church?"
+
+"I will," was the soft response.
+
+The two then joined their right hands and repeated one after the other
+the pledge by which they took each other for man and wife; Stephen
+first, then Marjorie.
+
+"I, Stephen, take thee Marjorie for my lawful wife, to have and to hold,
+from this day forward, for better; for worse, for richer, for poorer, in
+sickness and in health, until death do us part."
+
+Solemnly and reverently the priest raised his right hand over them as he
+pronounced the blessing.
+
+"Ego conjungo vos in matrimonium, in nomine Patris et Filii, et Spiritus
+Sancti, Amen."
+
+The ring having been blessed before them, Stephen placed it on
+Marjorie's finger saying the prescribed words, after which they awaited
+the prayers of the priest. Father Farmer turned to the altar and at
+once began the Nuptial Mass, according to the ceremony of the Catholic
+Church, and pronounced over them the Nuptial Blessing.
+
+This made an end of the marriage ceremony.
+
+
+It would be difficult to describe the feelings of Marjorie as she turned
+from the sanctuary and made her way down the aisle of the little church.
+Her hand lay on Stephen's arm, but it seemed to her as if she were
+hanging from it. She was happy; that, of course. But she thought, too,
+that she was extremely nervous, and the more she thought over herself,
+the more she felt that she appeared extremely self-conscious.
+
+The church was quite filled with friends, yet she dared not look up to
+measure its capacity, but guarded her eyes with the strictest custody.
+The organ was playing an appropriate march which she tried to follow in
+her mind in order that she might thereby absorb the greater part of her
+attention. Stephen was with her, for she could feel him, although she
+was quite certain that she never laid an eye on him during the whole
+time. Her people were there, so were her many friends and acquaintances,
+and Stephen's relatives and friends as well, but these, too, were absent
+as far as her concentration of mind was concerned. Only one thought was
+uppermost in her mind and that was to leave the church as soon as
+possible, for she felt that every eye was focused upon her.
+
+It had been intended that the affair should be charmingly simple, both
+on account of the sad and melancholy days through which the country was
+passing and the natural tendencies of the parties concerned to avoid all
+semblance of display. Their names had been published at three public
+masses; the Catholic Church required that. They had been married by
+Father Farmer with a nuptial high mass. The wedding breakfast would be
+served at the home of the bride. But the number of invited guests would
+be limited strictly to the members of the family and one or two intimate
+friends so as to include Jim Cadwalader and Sergeant Griffin.
+Furthermore there would be no honeymoon on account of the uncertainty
+which invariably had defined the duration of Stephen's stay in the city.
+
+It was only when the little party, Marjorie and Stephen's sister, her
+maid of honor, and Stephen and Sergeant Griffin, his best man, had
+settled down into the coach, that Marjorie for the first time became
+composed. A great sigh of relief escaped from her as she sat back, her
+bouquet in her hand, and looked at the dispersing crowd. She could not
+tell yet whether she was happy or not; the excitement had not subsided
+enough to allow her to regain her self-possession and equanimity.
+Stephen was by her side. That was about all she knew,--or cared.
+
+Stephen was in his characteristically reticent mood. Already had he
+observed that he would have endured another Valley Forge with greater
+pleasure than the ordeal of a wedding ceremony. Still he was nicely
+dressed for the occasion, wearing for the first time a new full dress
+uniform of buff and blue. The interested spectator might have discerned,
+too, that he wore for the first time a new insignia of rank; for he was
+now a Major of the Continental Army, having received that promotion,
+upon the recommendation of His Excellency, for distinguished service,
+together with a warm message of congratulation upon his approaching
+marriage. Nevertheless he was unmoved through it all, betraying but one
+concern, and that was administration to the most trivial wants of his
+blushing and timid bride.
+
+It was the time of joy, of pure, unalloyed joy, yet he could not banish
+altogether from his mind the memories of the past two years, years
+crowded with events in his life and that of his beloved. There was,
+indeed, much to be thankful for, and notwithstanding his exceedingly
+great glee and the day of gladness which had dawned for him flooding his
+heart with exultation and complacent satisfaction, still a prayer of
+praise poured forth from his lips to the Giver of every best and perfect
+gift.
+
+The American Revolution had unfolded a wonderful story, a story of
+anti-Catholicism, of persecution and prejudice which had resolved itself
+step by step into a state of complete freedom of action and religious
+liberty. The Church was at length free, free to gather her children into
+congregations where she might speak to them and instruct them without
+any fear. Now she was at liberty to fulfill her mission of winning souls
+to Christ. True, her children were widely scattered, a bare twenty-five
+thousand out of a population of about three millions, whose wants were
+administered to by no more than twenty-five priests. Yet out of this
+contemptible little body there emerged a people, honorable, respectable,
+and of such consequence as to deserve commendation from the First
+President for "the patriotic part which you took in the accomplishment
+of their Revolution and the establishment of your government," as well
+as causing to be inserted in the Constitution of the new republic the
+clause that "no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification
+for any office or public trust under the United States." There was of
+course much to be desired; but the foundations had been laid, and the
+prospect for the future was auspicious.
+
+And so they rode through the city streets joyfully, merrily,
+light-heartedly. Conversation, interspersed with laughter and
+jocularity, literally ran riot, so impatiently did each attempt to
+relate what was uppermost in his or her mind. The ceremony, the music,
+the procession, the multitude obtained their due amount of comment,
+until the arrival of the coach at the door of the Allison home put an
+end to the session.
+
+
+II
+
+"A health, ladies and gentlemen, to the bride. May she live long and
+never form the acquaintanceship of sorrow!"
+
+Stephen's father had arisen from his chair and with his goblet held
+before him addressed the company.
+
+It was drunk with evident pleasure. Then Mr. Allison arose.
+
+"To Major Meagher, that his brilliant career be only the commencement of
+a life of extraordinary achievement!"
+
+This was followed by a round of applause. Stephen smiled and bowed his
+head, but it was plain to be seen that his father's chest had expanded
+more than an appreciable trifle. Marjorie was happy and whispered a word
+to her newly formed sister-in-law who was seated by her side. It was a
+jolly group who had surrounded the table, all bent on doing honor to the
+happy couple, but none appeared more so than Jim Cadwalader and his
+wife, Nancy.
+
+"I tell you," said Jim, "they're a right fine pair."
+
+"I am afraid, Jim, you have not forgiven me quite for excluding you
+from that meeting," Stephen suggested.
+
+"I'm the proud'st man this side o' the river t' think I gave y' me
+clothes. Y'd never got on widout me."
+
+There was an outburst of laughter.
+
+"You would have been captured, had you gone in there. I saved you."
+
+"Yes, an' the girl, there, did it. Don't ye furgit that, either. I'll
+tell on y'," replied Jim, nodding his head emphatically. "She got me
+caught."
+
+"Jim!" Marjorie exclaimed loudly.
+
+"Now do not lay the blame on her," Stephen cautioned with a smile. "You
+yourself were only too anxious to get there. You wanted to see yourself
+in a new uniform."
+
+"I did, then. I was terr'bly anxious t' see meself in a red suit, wasn't
+I?"
+
+The company enjoyed this exchange of repartee and laughed continually.
+Jim ever enjoyed the distinction of being tormented by the members of
+whatever gathering he was in, yet it was never known when he was
+powerless of providing for himself.
+
+And so they talked far into the morning. They sat in groups of twos and
+threes, long after the table had been cleared, while the willing
+helpers, the good neighbors, plied themselves industriously out in the
+kitchen with the cleaning of the dishes and the restoration of the house
+again to its proper order. Marjorie and her mother looked in through the
+doorway from time to time at the progress of the work, only to be
+banished as quickly by the cohort of willing toilers. For once in their
+lives the girl and her fond mother mingled entirely with the guests and
+took their full measure of enjoyment with the company.
+
+As the guests departed one after the other, leaving behind them many
+benedictions and choice wishes for the bride and groom, the house
+settled down to its accustomed quietude and uniformity with the
+immediate family, Jim and his wife alone remaining. Jim, like every
+recognized master in his own household, sat with his one leg across the
+other, enjoying his tobacco, while his less aristocratic helpmate took
+care that the kitchen affairs were given their due amount of attention.
+With abatement of the excitement and commotion the members of the family
+betook themselves upon various journeys, the father to look at his fire
+so as to give it, if needed, a few generous pokes; the mother, to the
+kitchen to add a touch here and there to the arrangement of its
+utensils; Marjorie to her room in order that she might once more robe
+herself in her plainer and more habitual apparel. The festivities were
+at an end and the practical things of life again asserted their stern
+reality.
+
+
+III
+
+At length Stephen and Marjorie were alone, alone in their own little
+world of fancies and dreams. They were standing by the upstairs window
+looking out at the little fence where they had stood together more than
+two years before on the afternoon of his arrest. Stephen recalled his
+impressions of her then, yet she was more beautiful now, he thought. She
+had changed her gown of white for one of pink, and as she stood there,
+her lips a little parted in a tiny smile, her soft cheeks heightened in
+color, her bright eyes looking out into the memories of the past, she
+seemed for all the world to Stephen like an enchanted being.
+
+"What are you thinking of, girlie?" he asked as he stood behind her, his
+arm about her waist.
+
+There was no response.
+
+"Tell me, won't you?" he pleaded.
+
+She continued to gaze into the roadway.
+
+"Aren't you happy?"
+
+"Oh! Yes.... Yes.... I was never so happy. I ... I...."
+
+"What is it? Please, tell me. I fear that you are disturbed over
+something."
+
+She did not answer but turned and seized the lapels of his coat with
+both her hands. Then she raised her face to his and looked straight into
+his eyes.
+
+"I was thinking how much I have really cared for you without ever
+knowing it."
+
+"Is that all?" he laughed, as he folded his arms about her.
+
+"And how unkind I have been to you all the while."
+
+"There! There! You must not say that again. Promise me you will not so
+much as think it."
+
+Again there was silence, but only for a moment.
+
+"But I must have hurt you often. And to think that I never realized it."
+
+"You are happy now, aren't you?"
+
+She looked up again with only love in her eyes.
+
+"Stephen!" she whispered.
+
+She was lost in his embrace and felt only his breath against her cheek.
+
+
+The world lived in them.
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+_Printed in U. S. A_.
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Loyalist, by James Francis Barrett
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