fficers were feted
and entertained extravagantly. None outshone the Shippens in the
magnificence of their entertainments. Their house was ever open in
hospitality, and more than once it had been whispered about that their
resources had reached the point of exhaustion.

At these functions Marjorie found herself a welcome guest. For Peggy
took care that her little friend was never overlooked, even if on one
occasion a pang of regret sent her to bed with copious tears when the
favor for the evening had been bestowed upon her fair guest. Marjorie,
however, maintained a mature composure and a marked concern, as was her
wont, throughout it all, and Peggy again reassured herself that her
misgivings were without foundation. For Marjorie disliked the titled
gentry. They were without exception hostile to the faith to which she so
steadfastly adhered. She bore with them merely for the pleasure which
she derived from the coterie made brilliant by their participation.

And so the winter passed, giving way to lovely, spring, whose gentle
zephyrs dispelled the cold, the ice and the snow that had sent the
British into the ballrooms for protection, and had afflicted and
distressed the patriots at Valley Forge. With the advent of favorable
weather, operations began anew; the hopes and the courage of the
colonists were now exalted to the highest pitch. The disasters of Long
Island and Fort Washington had been offset by the victory at Saratoga.
While the British had taken and held the important cities of New York
and Philadelphia as well as the town of Newport, still they had lost an
army and had gained nothing but the ground on which they were encamped.

Now, at the beginning of the fourth period of the war, the joyful news
was heralded far and wide that the government of France had formally
acknowledged the independence of the United States and that help was on
the way to assist the Colonists in their struggle. At the same time the
conciliatory measures of Lord North in Parliament gave indication to
the patriots that the British Government was weakening. The joy of the
Whigs knew no bounds, and Marjorie was beside herself as she related the
glad tidings over and over again. The fourth epoch of the war augured
well for the success of the cause.

II

In all the Colonies there was at this stage of the war no city more
important than Philadelphia. Whatever there was among the Colonists of
wealth, of comfort, of social refinement, of c