et merely a novice."

"Lud! I ne'er heard one so illiberal of his graces."

"Nor one more candid," Stephen rejoined as quickly. If he were good at
repartee he had met with one who was equally as apt.

"You know the Governor will be in attendance," she declared in a
matter-of-fact manner.

"How should I know that? Is it unusual for him to frequent the company
of the gay?"

"Not of late, the more especially where the presence of Peggy is
concerned," added the little tale-bearer with a keen though reckless
wit.

"And why Peggy?" He was innocent enough in his question.

"Have you not heard of His Excellency's courting? Mr. Shippen has
already made public the rumor that a certain great General is laying
close siege to the heart of Peggy. And I have Peggy's own word for it."

"To Peggy?" He asked with evident surprise. "Why, she but halves his
age, and he is already a widower."

"With three sons," Marjorie gayly added. "No matter. Peggy will meet the
disparity of ages by the disparity of stations. She has avowed to me
that no one dares to question the social preeminence of the Military
Governor, nor the fact that he is the most dashing and perhaps most
successful general of the Continental Army. Position in life is of prime
importance to her."

"Is that so? I had not so judged her," was the comment.

"She admits that herself, and makes no secret of it before any one. Did
you not observe her sullen silence at the Ball upon learning of the
identity of her inferior partner? And that she sat out the major portion
of the dance in company with the Military Governor?"

"It escaped my attention, for I was too deeply concerned with another
matter which distracted me for the entire evening," he answered with a
smile.

She pretended to take no notice, however, and continued.

"Well, he has been calling regularly since that evening, and this quiet
and informal function has been arranged primarily in his honor, although
it will not be announced as such. You will go?" she asked.

"I shall be pleased to accept her invitation. May I accompany you?"

"Thank you. I almost hoped you would say that. Men folks are so sadly
wanting in intuition."

"Friday, then? Adieu! The pleasure that awaits me is immeasurable."

"Until Friday."

She extended to him her hand, which he pressed. A moment later he was
mounted.

"My kindest to your mother. She will understand." Dolly broke into a
gallop.

II

Marjorie stood at the gat