d, and
sooner than risk that, she made up her mind that this time she must
stay, but that in the future she must sit no more between the wall and
the hedge at Ingleside.

She knew the companion of her Prince to be Reginald Bromfeld, who spoke
next:

"I have but an hour ago heard from Boston, and the town is red-hot over
the unlawful, daring conduct of the soldiers, and the government that
has sent them over here. Mark my words!" exclaimed young Bromfeld, "it
won't be long before a blow will be struck that meaneth war, and when it
is, it will be near Boston town that the first sharp crack of a gun will
be heard.

"And also when that blow is struck, I shall be on the ground almost
before one could say 'Jack Robinson!'"

"I would I could go too," said Lionel, "running like 'Sam Hill!'"

Both young men laughed a little, then Reginald asked:

"But would that be best? It may be that Virginia's sons will need remain
to defend her. You know I hail from Boston, am native there, although
business affairs of my mother's have brought me here."

"I should not mean to fly from duty," said Lionel, "but wherever the
first hard blow for freedom is struck there will men be needed, and for
a time at least I think the conflict will be hottest near old Boston
town."

There came at that moment the sound of gay voices from near the house.

"What you say may be true," Reginald hastened to reply, then he added in
a sly tone, "but I thought it might be there were fair ones, I might
say, _a_ fair one, it would be your first sweet duty to stay and
defend."

"Oh, prithee, halt!" cried Lionel, half impatiently. "_The_ fair one I
would guard and defend, at present, is my native land. All fair dames
and maidens have my respect and command my service, but I can think
neither of billing or cooing or wooing with sound of clanking guns being
raised in our midst, and by those who call us 'rebels!'

"Now here come the ladies. And hark ye! the subject must be changed. I
like not talking of war with those who think it sin to take up arms
against the king."

After they had gone Sally sat for several moments lost in thought.

"It would sometimes seem that he loveth the Lady Rosamond not one whit,"
she said, dreamily.

Then she arose, shook out her pretty skirt with its simple but tasteful
overskirt of flowered cloth, and began a leisurely homeward walk.

Her heart-beats quickened and she turned her head aside, when two
soldiers appeared at a