have
read in books."

Cornwallis smiled as he replied playfully: "Tush, my young philosopher,
you must not take your wisdom from romances. I have heard of Tyrrel, and
will stand his surety that love has raised no devil to conjure such
mischief in his breast. What will satisfy your errand hither, Miss
Lindsay?"

"A word from your lordship, that no harm shall befall Arthur Butler
beyond the necessary durance of a prisoner of war."

"That is granted you at once," replied the general, "granted for your
sake, madam, in the spirit of a cavalier who would deny no lady's
request. And I rather grant it to you, because certain threats have been
sent me from some of the major's partisans, holding out a determination
to retaliate blood for blood. These had almost persuaded me to run,
against my own will, to an extreme. I would have you let it be known,
that as a free grace to a lady, I have done that which I would refuse to
the broad sword bullies of the mountains. What next would you have?"

"Simply, an unmolested passage hence, beyond your lordship's posts."

"That too shall be cared for. And thus the business being done, with
your leave, I will go to more unmannerly employments."

"A letter for your lordship," said an officer, who at this moment
entered the door, and putting a packet into the general's hand, retired.

Cornwallis opened the letter and read it.

"Ha! by my faith, but this is a rare coincidence! This brings matter of
interest to you, Miss Lindsay. My officer, Macdonald, who had Butler in
custody, writes me that, two days since, his prisoner had escaped."

"Escaped!" exclaimed Mildred, forgetting in whose presence she spoke,
"unhurt--uninjured. Thank Heaven for that!"

Cornwallis sat for a moment silent, as a frown grew upon his brow, and
he played his foot against the floor, abstracted in thought. "These
devils have allies," he muttered, "in every cabin in the country. We
have treachery and deceit lurking behind every bush. We shall be
poisoned in our pottage by these false and hollow knaves. If it gives
you content, madam," he said, raising his voice, "that this Major Butler
should abuse the kindness or clemency of his guard and fly from us at
the moment we were extending a boon of mercy to him through your
supplications, you may hereafter hold your honorable soldier in higher
esteem for his dexterity and cunning."

"I pray your lordship to believe," said Mildred, with a deep emotion,
which showed its