her to my
heart a moment.

"'I see you and then I have to go,' I said.

"'It is the fault of my too romantic soul,' she answered mournfully.
'For two days we have been in hiding here. I wanted to surprise you.'

"And this protest came involuntarily from my lips:

"'Here now is the happiness for which I have longed, and yet forthwith
I must leave it. What a mystery is the spirit of man!'

"'When it is linked to the spirit of God it ceases to understand
itself,' she answered. 'Oh, that I had the will for sacrifice which is
in you!'

"She lifted the jeweled cross I wore to her lips and kissed it. I wish
that I could tell you how beautiful she looked then. She is twenty-six
years old and her womanhood is beginning.

"'Now you may go,' she said. 'My heart goes with you, but I fear that
we shall not meet again.'

"'Why ?' was my question.

"'I am utterly discouraged.'

"'You can not expect her to wait for you any longer. It is not fair,'
said her mother.

"'Margaret, I do not ask you to wait,' I said. 'I am not quite a human
being. I seem to have no time for that. I am of the army of God. I
shall not expect you to wait.'

"So it befell that the stern, strong hand of a soldier's duty drew me
from her presence almost as soon as we had met I kissed her and left
her weeping, for there was need of haste. Soon I was galloping out of
Passy on my way to the land I love. I try not to think of her, but how
can I put out of mind the pathos of that moment? Whenever I close my
eyes I see her beautiful figure sitting with bowed head in the
twilight."

CHAPTER XXVI

IN WHICH APPEARS THE HORSE OF DESTINY AND THE JUDAS OF WASHINGTON'S ARMY

In Boston harbor, Jack learned of the evacuation of Philadelphia by the
British and was transferred to a Yankee ship putting out to sea on its
way to that city. There he found the romantic Arnold, crippled by his
wounds, living in the fine mansion erected by William Penn. He had
married a young daughter of one of the rich Tory families, for his
second wife, and was in command of the city. Colonel Irons, having
delivered the letters to the Treasurer of the United States, reported
at Arnold's office. It was near midday and the General had not
arrived. The young man sat down to wait and soon the great soldier
drove up with his splendid coach and pair. His young wife sat beside
him. He had little time for talk. He was on his way to breakfast.
Jack presented his