ia.
Arrangements had been made for this meeting of malcontents to be held
at the house of a Mr. Stanhope, on one of the lower sections of the
James river--a gentleman of good repute, with whom Lindsay had long been
in the relations of close friendship.

"The moments are precious, and you are waited for," said Tyrrel, in the
course of his conference with Lindsay; "we must strike whilst the iron
is hot. Separated as our good friends are from each other, you are now
in the power, and at the mercy--which is a significant phrase--of the
unruly government of Congress. Your motions, therefore, should be
prompt. There are seasons, in the history of every trouble, when the
virtue of deliberation mainly lies in its rapidity and the boldness of
its resolve. I beseech you, sir, to regard this as such a season, and to
take the course which the honor of our sovereign demands, without
further pause to think of consequences."

"When you were here a month ago," replied Lindsay, "I had my scruples.
But things have strangely altered in that short interval. Your standard
floats more bravely over the path of invasion than I had deemed it
possible. You charged me then with being a laggard, and, you may
remember, even impeached my loyalty."

"I did you a grievous wrong, my dear friend; and did I not know your
generous nature pardoned, as soon as it was uttered, my rash and
intemperate speech, it would have cost me many a pang of remorse. Even
in this, good sir," said Tyrrel, smiling and laying his hand upon
Lindsay's shoulder; "even in this, you see how necessary is it that we
should have a wise and considerate councillor to moderate the ungoverned
zeal of us younger men."

"My mind is made up," replied Lindsay. "I will attend the meeting."

"And Mildred will be removed forthwith to Charleston?" eagerly
interrupted Tyrrel.

"Ah, sir, not one word of that. If I attend this meeting, it must be in
secret. Nor do I yet commit myself to its resolves. I shall be a
listener only. I would learn what my compatriots think, reserving to
myself the right to act. Even yet, I would purchase peace with many a
sacrifice. I abjure all violent measures of offence."

"I am content," answered Tyrrel, "that you should hold yourself
unpledged to any measures which your gravest and severest judgment does
not approve. Though I little doubt that, from all quarters, you will
hear such tidings as shall convince you that the road, both of safety
and honor, lead