utler, and to make known to him all that he had heard from his
daughter. This disclosure produced the most cheering effect upon
Butler's spirits. It, for the first time since the commencement of his
sufferings, opened to his mind a distinct view of his chance of eventual
liberation. The expectation of having his case represented to Cornwallis
inspired him with a strong confidence that justice would be done to
him, and the covert malice of his enemies be disarmed. In this hope, it
occurred to him to take some instant measures to satisfy the British
commander-in-chief of the groundless character of the principal
accusation brought against him by the court-martial,--that which related
to the pretended design to deliver up Philip Lindsay to the wrath of the
Republican government. For this purpose he resolved to make an appeal to
Lindsay himself, by letter, and frankly to call upon him to put at rest
this most unjust and wicked accusation. He knew that however strong
Lindsay's antipathy to him might be, the high sense of honor which
distinguished the father of Mildred might be confidently and
successfully invoked to furnish such a statement as should entirely
satisfy his accusers of the gross injustice of the charge. "I will write
to him," he said, "and throw myself upon his protection. I will require
of him to detail the whole history of my intercourse with his family,
and to say how improbable even he must deem it, that I could be so base
as to plot against his peace. And I will appeal to Mildred to fortify
her father's statement, to show that this wicked accusation rests upon a
story which it is impossible could be true."

Whilst Butler's thoughts were still occupied with this resolve, Mary
Musgrove entered his apartment, bearing in her hands a napkin and plate
which she had come to spread for his dinner, and as the maiden employed
herself in arranging a small table in the middle of the room, she cast a
few distrustful glances towards the sentinel who paced to and fro
opposite the door, and then, seizing on a moment when the soldier had
disappeared from view, she whispered to Butler--

"You have seen my father, sir?"

Butler nodded his head.

"He has told you all?"

Butler again signified a silent assent.

The tramp of the sentinel showed that he was again approaching the door;
and when Mary turned her eyes in that direction, she beheld the watchful
soldier halting in such a position as to enable him both to see and