ll you I can
dictate to them now. You shall have your peerage after all."

"I am not so sure."

"Have it your own way. I know what I am about and I know where I stand.
At first it was a question only of my personal desertion. The betrayal
of an army was a later development. But I could not become a deserter on
a small scale. I have been accustomed all my life to playing signal
roles. If I am to sell myself at all, it shall be at the highest price
together with the greatest prize. I have only one regret, and that is
that I am obliged to take advantage of the confidence and respect of
Washington to render this at all possible."

"Don't let your heart become softened by tender condolences at this
stage. Your mind has been set; don't swerve."

He looked at her and wondered how she could remain so imperturbable.
Ordinarily she burned with compassion at the sight of misery and
affliction. He could not understand for the life of him, how stoically
she maintained her composure throughout this ordeal. Plainly her heart
was set on one ambition. She would be a duchess.

But she did not know that he had maintained a continual correspondence
with Sir Henry Clinton, or that West Point had long since been decided
upon, as a possible contingency. Much she did know, but most of the
details had been concealed from her. Not that he did not trust her, but
he wished her to be no party to his nefarious work.

And so he was not surprised that she expressed a genuine disappointment
over his change of command. In fact he had been prepared for a more
manifest display of disapproval. Perhaps it was due to the fact that she
was at length to accompany him which caused her to be more benign in her
appreciation of the transfer. For he knew that she detested the city
and longed for the day when she might be far removed from it forever.

"You will, of course, make ready to leave Mount Pleasant?" he asked of
her.

"Assuredly. I shall acquaint mother and father with the prospect this
evening. They do not want me to leave. But I am determined."

"They should be here. It is not early."

"The ride is long. They will come."

III

The last night spent by the Arnolds and the Shippen family at Mount
Pleasant was a happy one. The entire family was in attendance and the
Arnold silver was lavishly displayed for the occasion. American viands
cooked and served in the prevailing American fashion were offered at
table--hearty, simple food in great ple