ral Ternay of the French navy for a conference there in
reference to the proposed naval operations of the combined fleets. With
the letter in his hand he had sought and obtained a further leave of
absence from his Commander-in-chief in order that his own campaign for
the winning of the lady of his heart might be brought to a quick and
decisive termination.

He had left the city, not hurt nor wounded as she had supposed, but
somewhat disappointed at the manner of her expression. Her apparent
coolness and unconcern he had ascribed rather to her extreme diffidence
and shyness than to want of appreciation or sincerity. That she truly
cared for him, he knew full well; that he would eventually win her to
him was a faltering conviction. But, now, there was no further doubt.
She had written him pages into which she had poured out her heart in
generous and unmistakable accents, and which he had read and re-read
with growing delight.

Washington could not refuse his request. He made no attempt to conceal
the nature of his mission and obtained not alone His Excellency's
gracious permission but his sincere wishes for success as well. With a
heart buoyant with joy and anticipation he spurred on his mare and
pushed her to her worth in the direction of the city and the object of
his quest.

II

He rode into the city well aware that the first news to reach him would
be that of the exodus of the Arnolds.

"You came straight through town, I suppose?"

"Yes," replied Stephen.

"And came here direct?" continued Mr. Allison.

"I quartered my mare, first. I thought immediately of the Inn as the
place to gather the news. So I hastened hither."

"There's been heaps doin'," Jim remarked casually.

"Never saw such excitement since the day of the regiment," observed the
keeper of the Inn, a well-mannered and well-educated gentleman, above
middle age, who held the enviable position of inn-keeper and lawyer
alike. Every inn-keeper of this age commanded much of respect in the
community, for it was he who received the money of the people, and money
commanded the necessities of life--a good bed, good things to eat,
attentive servants; but Mr. Smith, the keeper of the Old London Coffee
House, was the most respectable inn-keeper in the city, the proud
possessor of a very pretty library and an excellent table where
cleanliness and decency vied with dignity and self-respect.

"Arnold, you know, has left the city," volunteered Mr. Allison.