ably promote. Have a
care to her; her wrath will know no mitigation."

"He never expected the verdict," the sergeant remarked.

"How did he appear?" asked Mr. Allison.

"Splendid. As he entered the court he laughed and jested with several
officers with all the self-possession of one of the eye-witnesses.
Flashes of the old-time energy and courage were manifest at intervals.
There was jubilation displayed on his every feature."

"He was jocose, you say?"

"Extremely so."

"Was this before the trial?"

"Yes. As he entered the Tavern."

"Was Peggy with him?"

"No, indeed. It was not permissible for her to enter. She awaited him
outside."

"And yet he maintained his composure throughout."

"He seemed to take delight in relating the resolutions of Congress, its
thanks, its gifts, for the many campaigns and the brilliant services
rendered his country. His promotions, his horse, his sword, his epaulets
and sword-knots, all were recounted and recited enthusiastically."

Mr. Allison looked at Marjorie and smiled.

"Only once did he lose his self-possession. Near the end of his plea he
forgot himself and called his accusers a lot of 'women.' This produced a
smile throughout the court room; then he regained his composure."

He paused.

"That was all?" asked Mr. Allison.

"I think so. The court adjourned for the day. On the following morning
the verdict was announced. I came here direct."

When he had finished he sat quite still. It was approaching a late hour
and he saw that he had overstayed his leave. Still the gravity of the
occasion required it.

It was these thoughts regarding the future, far more than any great
poignancy of grief respecting General Arnold and his present misfortune,
that affected this small group. It seemed to them that the events which
had of late happened were not without grave and serious consequence.
General Arnold was a man of prominence and renown. To lead such a figure
to the bar of justice and to examine and determine there in a definite
manner his guilt before the whole world was a solemn piece of business.
It meant that the new republic was fearless in its denunciation of
wrong; that it was intent upon the exercise of those precepts of justice
and equity which were written into the bill of rights, the violation of
which by a foreign power had constituted originally a set of true
grievances; and that it was actuated by a solemn resolution never to
permit within its own borde