d, it is true, and Lord Cornwallis proved
himself a gentleman. Elizabeth Drinker protested since her husband was
from home, but it was not regarded. And we have been favored, whether
from the influence of this young Nevitt or not, I cannot decide. I like
not to be so identified with the Tory party, but I cannot be ungracious
to my little girl's half-brother and the child Bessy Henry loved. I
think he must favor his mother's people; he has not much of the old
Henry blood in him."

"I am not sure it is so bad a thing, madam, for we shall be less
suspected of kindliness to the poor fellows who need it so much. And we
may hear news to their benefit occasionally."

"Ah, if a turn could be brought about for our brave men! I hear that
Mrs. Washington is to join her husband and share his hardships. It will
put courage into many a loyal fellow that misfortunes have well-nigh
disheartened."

So the great apartment was cleared of some of its ornaments that there
might be more room for dancing, in that and the spacious hall.

Primrose had been curiously distant and wary. It had amused her brother
very much, and he teased her about being a little rebel and said he
should take her to England to cure her of such folly and that she should
be presented at Court. For certainly the Continentals could not hold out
when all the principal cities were taken and trade stopped.

He was proud of her beauty, and his flattery might have turned the head
of almost any child.

"I shall insist upon taking her back to England with me," he announced
to his friend. "And this fine old lady, Madam Wetherill, can be induced
to go along, I think, when she realizes the hopelessness of the cause,
for she is, by birth, an Englishwoman. And Primrose, it is true, will be
quite an heiress. What a pretty name her mother gave her, and it seems
that in it she outwitted my father. He was one of the strait sort as I
remember him, and my pretty stepmother planned many a bit of indulgence
for me, and hid some childish pranks from his eyes that would have
brought severe punishment."

"You have good reason, then, to care for her and love the child. It
seems to me a curious thing that your father should let you go
abroad--his only son."

"But, if he had lived, he might have had half a dozen sons. He was a
hale, hearty man, much too fine looking for a Friend. You must go with
me to see the portrait of him, which, with some other keepsakes, belongs
to me."

"And t