of their guest for the first time.

"Harper!" echoed Dunwoodie, turning towards her with the swiftness of
lightning; "what of him? Do you know him?"

"It is in vain," said Henry, drawing him aside; "Frances clings to
hope with the fondness of a sister. Retire, my love, and leave me with
my friend."

But Frances read an expression in the eye of Dunwoodie that chained
her to the spot. After struggling to command her feelings, she
continued:

"He stayed with us for a few days; he was with us when Henry was
arrested."

"And--and--did you know him?"

"Nay," continued Frances, catching her breath as she witnessed the
intense interest of her lover, "we knew him not; he came to us in the
night, a stranger, and remained with us during the severe storm; but
he seemed to take an interest in Henry, and promised him his
friendship."

"What!" exclaimed the youth, in astonishment; "did he know your
brother?"

"Certainly; it was at his request that Henry threw aside his
disguise."

"But," said Dunwoodie, turning pale with suspense, "he knew him not as
an officer of the royal army?"

"Indeed he did," cried Miss Peyton; "and he cautioned us against this
very danger."

Dunwoodie caught up the fatal paper, that lay where it had fallen from
his own hands, and studied its characters intently. Something seemed
to bewilder his brain. He passed his hand over his forehead, while
each eye was fixed on him in dreadful suspense--all feeling afraid to
admit those hopes anew that had been so sadly destroyed.

"What said he? what promised he?" at length Dunwoodie asked, with
feverish impatience.

"He bid Henry apply to him when in danger, and promised to requite the
son for the hospitality of the father."

"Said he this, knowing him to be a British officer?"

"Most certainly; and with a view to this very danger."

"Then," cried the youth aloud, and yielding to his rapture, "then you
are safe--then I will save him; yes, Harper will never forget his
word."

"But has he the power to?" said Frances. "Can he move the stubborn
purpose of Washington?"

"Can he! If he cannot," shouted the youth, "if he cannot, who can?
Greene,[107] and Heath,[108] and the young Hamilton[109] are nothing
compared to this Harper. But," rushing to his mistress, and pressing
her hands convulsively, "repeat to me--you say you have his promise?"

[Footnote 107: General Nathanael Greene, a noted American
commander.]

[Footnote 108: Willi