yourself."

"How?" doubtfully.

"Why not be allies?"

"What for?"

"Mutual service."

"Oh!" dubiously.

"A woman's 'yes'!"

"No," with affirmative answer in her eyes.

He believed the latter.

"We will seal the compact then."

And he bent over and saluted Mistress Susan on the lips. She became as
rosy as the flowers she carried and tapped him playfully with them.

"For shame! La! What must you think of me?"

"That you are an angel."

"How lovely! But I must go."

"May I see you after the play?"

"Yes."

"Do not fail me, or the soldier will not transfer his affections to
you!"

"If he dared!" And she shook her head defiantly as she tripped away.

"Little fool!" murmured Mauville, his lips curling scornfully. "The
one is a pastime; the other"--he paused and caught his breath--"a
passion!"

But he kept his appointment with Susan, escorting her to the hotel,
where he bade her good-night with a lingering pressure of the hand,
and--ordered his equipage to the door!

"Hadn't you better wait until morning?" asked the surprised landlord,
when the young patroon announced his intention of taking an immediate
departure. "There are the barn-burners and--traveling at night--"

"Have they turned footpads?" was the light reply. "Can't I drive
through my own lands? Let me see one of their thieving faces--" And he
made a significant gesture. "Not ride at night! These Jacobins shall
not prevent me."

Barring the possible danger from the lease-holders who were
undoubtedly ripe for any mischief, the journey did not promise such
discomfiture as might have been expected, the coach being especially
constructed for night traveling. On such occasions, between the seats
the space was filled by a large cushion, adapted to the purpose, which
in this way converted the interior of the vehicle into a sleeping-room
of limited dimensions. With pillows to neutralize the jarring, the
land baron stretched himself indolently upon his couch, and gazed
through the window at the crystalline lights of the heavens, while
thoughts of lease-holders and barn-burners faded into thin air.

At dawn, when he opened his eyes, the morning star yet gleamed with a
last pale luster. Raising himself on his elbow and looking out over
the country to learn his whereabouts, his eye fell upon a tree,
blood-red, a maple amid evergreens. Behind this somber community of
pines, stiff as a band of Puritan elders, surrounding the bright-hued
maple, a