an Articles of War. The charge had been preferred on the
evening previous to his arrest and bore the signature of Colonel
Forrest, with whom, she called to mind, he had participated in the
affray at the Inn.

Little would come of it. Of that she could rest assured. For if he chose
to present his side of the case, cause might be found against the
Colonel in the matter of disrespectful language against the
Commander-in-chief. On that account the affair would very probably end
where it had begun and his sword would once more be restored to him.
Should the Colonel press the case, however, it would result in a
court-martial, that being the usual tribunal before which such matters
were tried.

For the present he was under arrest. He was not confined and no limits
were assigned to him in the order of his arrest, yet he was deprived of
his sword and therefore without power to exercise any military command
pending his trial. Since it was considered indecorous in an officer
under arrest to appear at public places, it would be impossible for him
to accompany her to the home of the Shippens on Friday evening. This
caused him the greater concern, yet his word of honor obliged him to
await either the issue of his trial or his enlargement by the proper
authority.

He bade her be of good cheer and asked a remembrance in her prayers,
assuring her she would be ever present in his thoughts. Since he was
allowed the use of his personal liberty, he would soon make use of a
favorable opportunity to pay her a call. Until then, he could tell her
no more, save the desire to have her attend the party and to enjoy
herself to the utmost.

From the moment of her receipt of this letter, she had rehearsed the
incidents therein narrated over and over again. Go where she would her
thought followed her as instinctively as the homeward trail of the bee.
Reflection possessed her and she was lost in the intricate maze of the
world of fancy.

To follow mere instinct does not beseem a man, yet for woman this
faculty is the height of reason and will be trusted by her to the very
end. Marjorie's instinct told her that all would not be well with
Stephen, notwithstanding his place of honor on the staff of the
Commander-in-chief, to whom he might readily appeal should the occasion
require. The charge was of minor consequence, and could under ordinary
circumstances be dismissed; but it would not be dismissed. He would be
tried, found guilty, and sentenced.