money at a time when our paper currency is
practically worthless, and the assistance of their fleet is now
momentarily expected," the General went on to explain.

"And to what purpose? Lord North has proposed to meet our demands most
liberally and with our constitutional liberties secured, I fail to see
why further strife is necessary."

"But our independence is not yet secure."

"It was secure after your brilliant victory at Saratoga. With the
collapse of Burgoyne, England saw that further campaigning in a country
so far removed from home was disastrous. It only remained to formulate
some mutual agreement. We have triumphed. Why not be magnanimous? Why
subject the country to a terrible strain for years for a result neither
adequate nor secure?"

She talked rapidly, passionately. It was evident from the manner of her
address that the subject was no new one to her.

"You can be court-martialed for treason?" he remarked with a slight
smile playing about the heavy lines of his mouth.

"Is it treason to talk of the welfare of the country? I look upon the
alliance with this Catholic and despotic power as more of an act of
treason than the total surrender of our armies to King George. To lose
our independence is one thing; but to subject our fair land to the
tyranny of the Pope and his emissary, the King of France, is a total
collapse. Our hopes lie in England alone."

The Governor was struck by this strange reasoning. Why had this mere
child dared to express the very thoughts which were of late intruding
themselves upon his mind, but which he dared not permit to cross the
seal of his lips? She was correct, he thought, in her reasoning, but
bold in her denunciation. No one else had dared to address such
sentiments to him. And now he was confronted with a young lady of quick
wit and ready repartee who spoke passionately the identical reflections
of his more mature mind. Clearly her reasoning was not without some
consistency and method.

"I am afraid that you are a little Tory." He could not allow this girl
to think that she had impressed him in the least.

"Because I am frank in the expression of my views?" She turned and with
arched eyebrows surveyed him. "Pardon me, if you will, but I would have
taken no such liberty with any other person. You gave me that privilege
when you forbade my alluding to your former brilliant exploits."

"But I did not want you to become a Tory."

He spoke with emphasis.

"I am not