inguish the candles."

Having delivered this order, the Adjutant-General departed. Lydia
betook herself to getting all things in readiness. But she felt
curious to know what the business could be that required such
secrecy, and resolved on further investigation. Accordingly, in
the midst of their conference that night, she quietly approached
the door, and listening, heard a plan for the surprise of
Washington's forces arranged for the next night. She retreated
softly to her room and laid down; soon there was a knocking at
her door. She knew well what the signal meant, but took no heed
until it was repeated again and again, and then she arose
quickly and opened the door. It was the Adjutant-General who
came to inform her they were ready to depart. Lydia let them out,
fastened the door, extinguished the fire and lights, and returned
to her chamber, but she was uneasy, thinking of the threatened
danger.

At the dawn of day she arose, telling her family that she must go
to Frankfort to procure some flour. She mounted her horse, and
taking the bag, started. The snow was deep and the cold intense,
but Lydia's heart did not falter. Leaving the grist at the mill,
she started on foot for the camp, determined to apprise Gen.
Washington of his danger. On the way she met one of his officers,
who exclaimed in astonishment at seeing her, but making her
errand known, she hastened home.

Preparations were immediately made to give the enemy a fitting
reception. None suspected the grave, demure Quakeress of having
snatched from the English their anticipated victory; but after
the return of the British troops Gen. Howe summoned Lydia to his
apartment, locked the door with an air of mystery, and motioned
her to a seat. After a moment of silence, he said: "Were any of
your family up, Lydia, on the night when I received my company
here?" "No," she replied, "they all _retired_ at eight o'clock."
"It is very strange," said the officer, and mused a few minutes.
"I know you were asleep, for I knocked at your door three times
before you heard me; yet it is certain that we were betrayed."

Afterward some one asked Lydia how she could say her family were
all in bed while she herself was up; she replied, "Husband and
wife are one, and that one is the husband, and