ghland steel, and English
hearts are as tried and as true as those that beat beneath the plaid,"
said I, coming to the defence of my English ancestry.

"So ho! Sir Rebel!" she cried in glee, "what means this defence of the
hated redcoat? Do you not fear the shadow of the great committee that
you preach treason so openly?" And she looked so bewitching in her
little triumph that I had to thrust my hands into my pockets and turn
away, so great was the temptation.

"I will turn Highlander," said I, "if you do not stop."

"Stop?" she said with the most innocent air in the world.

"Aye," said I, "for if your Highlanders have ever been sturdy knaves,
the Frisbys have ever been quick where bright eyes and ruby lips are
concerned, and there is no telling what might happen." And I looked so
determined and fierce that she broke into merry laughter in my face.

"Your fate be upon you," said I solemnly; and--well, at that moment, I
heard Captain Nicholson calling that my horse was at the door, waiting
for me.

"That means that I must go, Mistress Jean," and the laughter died on
her lips, "go to join my comrades in the North in their struggle for
the Great Cause. When you hear of battles and sieges and sudden
deaths, will you sometimes think of the young rebel who rode with you
from the Braes to Fairlee? For wherever he may be, whether in the
glory of the rush and the sweep of the charge, or the gloomy and
dismal retreat; whether in the camp on the bleak hillside, with the
cold north wind blowing, or bivouacked in the Southern savannahs
warmed by the rays of the sun; in the fatigue and the toil of the
marches, amid the groans and cries of the dying, or the joy and
triumph of the hour when the fight has been fought and won, your smile
shall always be with him, the light of your eye in his heart. Will you
think of him, or forget, Mistress Jean?"

"I will think of him." Her voice was very low and sweet. Then I
stooped and kissed her hand, the fairest hand that man ever looked
upon.

CHAPTER XIV

THE RETURN OF THE TORY

As I turned to ride away, after bidding good-bye to the Captain, I
heard a voice calling me, and looking up, I saw Mistress Nancy at a
window, and riding under it she commanded me to convey to Master
Richard a tiny case wrapped in many papers.

"And now, sir," said she, "here is something for you;" and she threw
me a little case, which, on opening quickly, I saw contained a
miniature of a fair young