flag of the
Commonwealth floats over the Assembly hall at Jamestown, then--"

"Then I will join myself to you as I have said, and I will bring with me
those without whom your revolution would be but short-lived--the Puritan
and Nonconformist element in the colony, gentle and simple."

"That is sufficiently explicit," said Landless, "and I thank you."

"I have trusted you fully, young man," said the other, stopping before
him, "not only because you cannot betray me if you would, seeing that
not one scrap of writing exists to inculpate me in this matter, and that
your word would scarce be taken before mine, but because I believe you
to be trustworthy. I believe also"--graciously--"that Robert Godwyn
(whose death I sincerely mourn) showed his usual wisdom and knowledge of
mankind when he chose you as his confidant and co-worker. I wish you
well through with a dangerous and delicate piece of work and in
enjoyment of your reward, namely, your freedom, and the esteem of the
Commonwealth of Virginia. I will myself see to it that any past offenses
which you are supposed to have committed (for myself, I believe you to
have been harshly used), shall not stand in your light."

"Major Carrington is very good," said Landless, calmly. "I shall study
to deserve his commendation."

The other took a restless turn or two through the room, stopping at
length before the younger man.

"You may tell me one thing," he said in a voice scarcely above a
whisper, and with his eyes bent watchfully upon the other's composed
face. "Had Godwyn set the day?"

"Yes."

"And you will adhere to it?"

"Yes."

"What day?"

"The thirteenth of September."

"Humph! Two weeks off! Well, my tobacco will be largely in, and I shall
send my daughter upon a visit to her Huguenot kindred upon the Potomac.
Good night."

"Good night," answered Landless.

CHAPTER XV

THE WATERS OF CHESAPEAKE

Patricia was ennuyee to the last degree. That morning Sir Charles had
ridden to Green Spring with her father; Mistress Lettice was in the
still room decocting a face wash from rose leaves, dew and honey; young
Shaw on his knees in the master's room, disconsolately poring over piles
of musty papers in search of a misplaced deed which the colonel had
ordered him to find against his return. It was a hot and listless
afternoon. Patricia read a page of "The Rival Ladies," tried her spinet,
had a languid romp with her spaniels, and finally sauntered into the