m their
society? Can you expect them to be as gracious as in former days?"
said Berinthia.

"Perhaps not, from the standpoint you have taken; but it is rather
uncomfortable to have a young lady who has welcomed you to her
fireside pass you by on the street as if you were a cold-blooded
villain."

"It comes to this," said Ruth. "One cannot be loyal to the king,
neither to liberty, without suffering for it. Miss Brandon's brother
Tom had to give up his lady-love because he sided with the
provincials. Young ladies shut the door in Captain Coffin's face
because he adheres to King George. If his majesty only knew the
disturbance he is making over here in love affairs, perhaps he would
withdraw the army."

"Of course he would," exclaimed General Howe. "I don't believe that
side of the question has ever been laid before him. I am sure, Miss
Newville, if you were to go as special envoy and present the case,
showing him how the sword is cutting young heartstrings asunder, he
would at once issue an order for us to pack up and be off, that the
course of true love might run smoothly once more."

The company laughed heartily.

"Perhaps," continued General Howe, "we may have to pack up any way,
for want of something to eat. Before I succeeded to the command,
General Gage seriously thought of evacuating the town, but had not
enough vessels to transport the troops. I could not, when I was
invested with the command, send a portion away; to do so would invite
an attack upon those remaining."

Berinthia saw a startled look upon Mr. Newville's face.

"Do you think, your excellency, the time will ever come when his
majesty's troops will take their departure?"

"I trust not; but this rebellion, which we thought would be confined
to this Province, has become a continental question. Neither the king
nor his ministers anticipated it, but it is upon us, and we shall be
obliged to treat it in all its vastness. Large reinforcements are to
be sent. An agreement is being made to employ several thousand Hessian
troops, and everything will be done to put down the rebellion."

"I expect to see," said General Ruggles, "the army of Mr. Washington
crumble to pieces very soon. I hear that the Connecticut troops
demanded a bounty as the condition of their staying any longer, and
when it was refused, broke ranks and started for their homes."

"So I am informed," General Howe remarked, "though, to tell the truth,
two thousand fresh men came from