the rectitude of her judgment.

"I should not have asked, otherwise," Stephen gravely replied.

"Well, it was for the simple reason that my soul would burn within me if
I permitted myself to indulge in such extravagance and gayety the while
our own poor boys were bleeding to death at Valley Forge."

Stephen grasped her hand and pressed it warmly. "You are a true
patriot," was all he could say.

Whether it was his emotion for the cause of his country or the supreme
satisfaction afforded him by the knowledge that this girl was loyal to
the cause, Stephen did not know, nor did he try to discover. He knew
that he was thrilled with genuine gratification and that he was joyously
happy over the thought which now relieved his mind. Somehow or other he
earnestly desired to find this girl an ardent patriot, yet he had dared
not ask her too bluntly. From the moment she had entered the hall in
company with the other girls, he had singled her alone in the midst of
the company. And, when the summons came to him from the Governor, he had
seen her standing at the side of the dais, and her alone. Little did he
suspect, however, that she bore his billet, nor did he presume to wish
for the pleasure of her exclusive company for the evening.

She danced with grace and was wholly without affectation. How sweet she
looked; pink gown, pink flowers, pink ribbon, pink cheeks! How
interesting her conversation, yet so reserved and dignified! But she
lived in the city and the city he knew teemed with Loyalists. Was she
one of these! He dared not ask her. To have her so declare herself
enraptured him. She was one of his own after all.

Moreover she was one with him in religious belief--that was a distinct
comfort. Catholics were not numerous, and to preserve the faith was no
slight struggle. He was thoroughly conversant with the state of affairs
in the province of New York where Catholics could not, because of the
iniquitous law and the prescribed oath of office, become naturalized as
citizens of the state. He knew how New Jersey had excluded Roman
Catholics from office, and how North and South Carolina had adopted the
same iniquitous measure. Pennsylvania was one of the few colonies
wherein all penal laws directed against the Catholics had been
absolutely swept away. To meet with a member of his own persecuted
Church, especially one so engaging and so interesting as Marjorie, was a
source of keen joy and an unlooked-for happiness.

"You will