rehensive," remarked Peggy. "With your
composure and gallantry the world would judge that cares set lightly
upon your head."

"Happy is he who can abandon everything with which his conscience is
burdened. I have enjoyed no peace of soul for years and I see an
untimely end."

"Be not so melancholy," observed Arnold. "My boy, the future and the
world lie before you."

"Like a yawning abyss," was the grave reply.

"Oh! spare us your terrible verdicts," cried Peggy with a smile.

"I believe that I should have crushed with my scorn the philosopher who
first uttered this terrible but profoundly true thought," said Anderson.
"'Prudence is the first thing to forsake the wretched!'"

"Have you been imprudent?" she asked.

"I did find a charm in my escapades. At first I tingled with fear, but I
gradually laid aside that cloak of suspicion which guards safety, and
stalked about naked. A despicable contempt arises from an unreserved
intimacy. We grow bolder with our efforts."

"What is success?" asked Peggy.

Their mood was heavy; their tone morose. A sadness had settled upon them
like the blanket of the night. Only the moon climbing into the heavens
radiated glory.

"Come! Away with those dismal topics!" exclaimed the General. "This is
the time for rejoicing."

"Can you rejoice?" inquired the visitor.

"I, too, should be happy, but I fear, alas, I am not. My people give me
no peace."

"Why not render your country a lasting service?"

"How?"

"By performing a heroic deed that will once for all put an end to this
unseemly conflict."

"Never! I have been shattered twice for my efforts. I am done with
active field duty."

"I do not think of that," Anderson assured him.

"Of what, then?"

"You know that the mother country had already offered conciliation. The
colonies shall have an American Parliament composed of two chambers; all
the members to be Americans by birth, and those of the upper chamber to
have the same title, the same rank, as those of the House of Lords in
England."

"What? A Marquis of Pennsylvania, a Duke of Massachusetts Bay?" he
laughed aloud at this.

"No less fitting than the Duke of Albemarle."

"Why do you mention him?" Arnold inquired immediately. A thought flashed
before his mind. Had Peggy and this man conversed on that point?

"He simply came into my mind. Why?"

"Oh! Nothing. Continue."

"As I was saying, all laws, and especially tax laws, shall be the work
of this legislat