Harper had risen as the door opened, and there was a slight movement
of his hand towards his pistols; but it was cool, and instantly
checked. He raised the hood of the cardinal, which had fallen over her
features, and exclaimed with some uneasiness:

"Miss Wharton! But you cannot be alone?"

"There is none here but my God and you; and by his sacred name, I
conjure you to remember your promise, and save my brother!"

Harper gently raised her from her knees and placed her on the stool,
begging her at the same time to be composed, and to acquaint him with
the nature of her errand. This Frances instantly did, and after a
short pause added:

"We can depend much on the friendship of Major Dunwoodie;
but his sense of honor is so pure, that--that--notwithstanding
his--his--feelings--his desire to serve us--he will conceive it to
be his duty to apprehend[125] my brother again. Besides, he thinks
there will be no danger in so doing, as he relies greatly on your
interference."

[Footnote 125: arrest.]

"On mine?" said Harper, who appeared slightly uneasy.

"Yes, on yours. When we told him of your kind language, he at once
assured us all that you had the power, and, if you had promised, would
have the inclination, to procure Henry's pardon."

"Said he more?" asked Harper.

"Nothing but reiterate assurances of Henry's safety; even now he is in
quest of you."

"Miss Wharton, that I bear no mean part in the unhappy struggle
between England and America, it might now be useless to deny. You owe
your brother's escape, this night, to my knowledge of his innocence,
and the remembrance of my word. Major Dunwoodie is mistaken when he
says that I might openly have procured his pardon. I now, indeed, can
control his fate, and I pledge to you a word which has some influence
with Washington, that means shall be taken to prevent his recapture.
But from you, also, I exact a promise, that this interview, and all
that has passed between us, remain confined to your own bosom, until
you have my permission to speak upon the subject."

Frances gave the desired assurance, and he continued:

"The peddler and your brother will soon be here, but I must not be
seen by the royal officer, or the life of Birch might be the
forfeiture."[126]

[Footnote 126: penalty.]

"Never!" cried Frances, ardently; "Henry never could be so base as to
betray the man who saved him."

"It is no childish game we are now playing, Miss Wharton. Men's