that
your lordship had given orders to have the thing put off until the major
could prove the real facts of the case."

"The tale is partly true, young sir," said Cornwallis. "We have a
prisoner of that name and rank."

"My sister Mildred and myself, thinking no time was to be lost, have
come to say to your lordship that the whole story is a most sinful lie,
hatched on purpose to make mischief, and most probably by a fellow by
the name of----"

"My brother speaks too fast," interrupted Mildred. "It deeply concerned
us to do justice to a friend in this matter. If my father had been at
home a letter to your lordship would have removed all doubts; but, alas!
he was absent, and I knew not what to do, but to come personally before
your lordship, to assure you that to the perfect knowledge of our whole
family, the tale from beginning to end is a malicious fabrication. Major
Butler loves my father, and would be accounted one of his nearest and
dearest friends."

Cornwallis listened to this disclosure with a perplexed and bewildered
conjecture, to unravel the strange riddle which it presented to his
mind.

"How may I understand you, Miss Lindsay?" he said; "this Major Butler is
in the service of Congress?"

"Even so. Your lordship speaks truly."

"Your father--my friend, Philip Lindsay, is a faithful and persevering
loyalist."

"To the peril of his life and fortune," replied Mildred.

"And yet Butler is his friend?"

"He would be esteemed so, if it please your lordship--and, in heart and
feeling, is so."

"He is related to your family, perhaps?"

"Related in affection, my lord, and plighted love," said Mildred,
blushing and casting her eyes upon the ground.

"So!--Now I apprehend. And there are bonds between you?"

"I may not answer your lordship," returned the lady. "It only imports
our present business to tell your lordship, that Arthur Butler never
came to the Dove Cote but with the purest purpose of good to all who
lodged beneath its roof. He has never come there but that I was apprised
of his intent; and never thought rose in his heart that did not breathe
blessings upon all that inhabit near my father. Oh, my lord, it is a
base trick of an enemy to do him harm; and they have contrived this plot
to impose upon your lordship's generous zeal in my father's behalf."

"It is a strange story," said Cornwallis. "And does your father know
nothing of this visit? Have you, Miss Lindsay, committed yourself to al