you wring my very heart; but, after all, we may be torturing
ourselves with unnecessary fears, and Henry, when I know the
circumstances, may be nothing more than a prisoner of war; in which
case, I can liberate him on parole."

Frances now led the way to the opposite room. Dunwoodie followed her
reluctantly, and with forebodings of the result.

The salutations of the young men were cordial and frank, and, on the
part of Henry Wharton, as collected as if nothing had occurred to
disturb his self-possession.

After exchanging greetings with every member of the family, Major
Dunwoodie beckoned to the sentinel to leave the room. Turning to
Captain Wharton, he inquired mildly:

"Tell me, Henry, the circumstances of this disguise in which Captain
Lawton reports you to have been found; and remember--remember--Captain
Wharton, your answers are entirely voluntary."

"The disguise was used by me, Major Dunwoodie," replied the English
officer, gravely, "to enable me to visit my friends without incurring
the danger of becoming a prisoner of war."

"But you did not wear it until you saw the troop of Lawton
approaching?"

"Oh, no!" interrupted Frances, eagerly, "Sarah and myself placed them
on him when the dragoons appeared; it was our awkwardness that led to
the discovery."

The countenance of Dunwoodie brightened, as, turning his eyes in
fondness on the speaker, he listened to her explanation.

"Probably some articles of your own," he continued, "which were at
hand, and were used on the spur of the moment."

"No," said Wharton, with dignity; "the clothes were worn by me from
the city; they were procured for the purpose to which they were
applied, and I intended to use them again in my return this very day."

"But the pickets--the party at the Plains?" added Dunwoodie, turning
pale.

"I passed them, too, in disguise. I made use of this pass, for which
I paid; and, as it bears the name of Washington, I presume it is
forged."

Dunwoodie caught the paper eagerly, and stood gazing on the signature
for some time in silence, during which the soldier gradually prevailed
over the man; then he turned to the prisoner with a searching look, as
he asked:

"Captain Wharton, whence did you procure this paper?"

"This is a question, I conceive, Major Dunwoodie has no right to ask."

"Your pardon, sir; my feelings may have led me into an impropriety.
This name is no counterfeit. Captain Wharton, my duty will not suffer
me to g