im that all the pageantry of
King George's court, all the wealth inherited from his ancestors, was
of little account in her esteem when set against eternal verities, and
one of those verities was fidelity to the conviction that she must be
true to herself.

"My lord," she said, "you may think me unappreciative; you may regard
me as strange, but I must be true to myself. I cannot do violence to
my better nature. I cannot barter my convictions. I could honor and
respect you, but something more would be your due; that I could not
give you. I could not make you happy, and I should forever despise
myself."

It was spoken clearly, distinctly, but with a tremor of voice and a
flush upon her cheek that heightened her beauty. Lord Upperton sat in
silence, pondering her words. It was dawning upon him that a girl of
the Colonies had rejected his suit. He had come to her with his
castle, his ancestry, his title, his position as a peer of the realm,
but she had put them all aside. Not with them could he win his suit.
Instead of accepting what he had to give, she stood calm, serene,
beautiful, radiant, and pure, upon a height so far above him that he
never could stand by her side. The silence was embarrassing.

"Miss Newville," he said, rising and standing before her, "your answer
is painful to me. I had anticipated the winning of your hand and
heart. It had not occurred to me that I should fail. I appreciate what
you have said. A loftier ideal of the nobleness of true womanhood has
come to me. My honor, respect, and love for you are deeper than ever,
but I see that what I desired cannot be. I bid you farewell."

She courtesied to his bow, and extended her hand. He touched it to his
lips, and passed from the room.

Her head was pressing her pillow once more. The bell struck the
midnight hour. Once more she heard the watchman's voice.

"Twelve o'clock, and all is well."

"Yes, all is well," she said,--and her sleep for the night was calm
and peaceful.

XIII.

THE MOHAWKS AND THEIR TEA-PARTY.

On the evening of October 29, 1773, the Sons of Liberty again
assembled at the Green Dragon. A ship had dropped anchor during the
day off Castle William, bringing the news that Parliament had passed a
law taxing tea. Ever watchful for the welfare of the people, they came
together to hear what the London newspapers and their friends in
England had to say about it, in letters which Samuel Adams had
received. The night being co