her, now just
stepping beyond the confines of mere boyhood. Her influence over Henry
was paramount and unbounded: her affections were his, her faith was his,
her enthusiasm stole into and spread over his whole temper.

With these means of influence she had sedulously applied herself to
infuse into Henry's mind her own sentiment in regard to the war; and
this purpose had led her to interest herself in subjects and pursuits,
which, in general, are very foreign from her sex. Her desire to enlist
his feelings in aid of Butler, and her conviction that a time was at
hand when Henry might be useful, gave rise to an eager solicitude to see
him well prepared for the emergencies of the day, by that necessary mode
of education which, during the period of the revolution, was common
amongst the young gentlemen of the country. He was a most willing and
ready pupil; and she delighted to encourage him in his inclination for
military studies, however fanciful some of his conceptions in regard to
them might be. She, therefore, saw, with great satisfaction, the
assiduous though boyish devotion with which he set himself to gain a
knowledge of matters relating to the duties of a soldier. However little
this may fall within the scope of female perception in ordinary times,
it will not appear so much removed from the capabilities or even the
habits of the sex, when we reflect that in the convulsions of this great
national struggle, when every resource of the country was drained for
service, the events of the day were contemplated with no less interest
by the women than by the men. The fervor with which the American women
participated in the cares and sacrifices of the revolutionary war, has
challenged the frequent notice and warmest praises of its chroniclers.
Mildred but reflected, in this instance, the hues of the society around
the Dove Cote, which consisted of many families, scattered along the
country side, composed of persons of elevated character, easy
circumstances, and of the staunchest Whig politics, with whom she held
an uninterrupted and familiar intercourse.

Another consideration may serve to explain the somewhat masculine
character of Mildred's pursuits. Her most intimate companion, at all
times, and frequently for weeks together her only one, was her brother.
These two had grown up together in all the confidence of childhood; and
this confidence continued still unabated. Their pursuits, sports,
exercises, thoughts, and habits