ining, I can
well understand it, Katharine. Proud, of high birth, descended from
the 'loyal Talbots,' and the widow of one of them, she cannot bear the
thought of rebellion against the king. I don't think she cares much
for the people, or their liberties either."

"Yes, father; with her the creed is, the king can do no wrong."

"Ah, well," said the colonel, reflectively, "I thought so too once, and
many is the blow I have struck for this same king. But liberty is
above royalty, independence not a dweller in the court; so, in my old
age, I find myself on a different side." He sipped his wine
thoughtfully a moment, and continued,--

"Madam Talbot has certainly striven to restrain the boy, and
successfully so far. He is a splendid fellow; I wish we had him. He
would be of great service to the cause, with his name and influence,
and the money he would bring; and then the quality of the young man
himself would be of value to us. You have met him, Seymour, I believe?"

"Yes, sir, several times; and I agree with you entirely. It is his
mother who keeps him back. I have had one or two conversations with
her. She is a Tory through and through."

"Not a doubt of it, not a doubt of it," said the colonel. "Katharine,
can't you do something with him?"

"Oh, father, you know that I have talked with him, pleaded with him,
and begged him to follow his inclination; but he remains by his mother."

"Nonsense, Katharine! Don't speak of him in that way; give him time.
It is a hard thing: he is her only son; she is a widow. Let us hope
that something will induce him to come over to us." He said this in
gentle reproof of his spirited daughter; and then,--

"Permit me to offer you a glass of wine, Seymour,--you are not drinking
anything; and to whom shall we drink?"

Seymour, who had been quaffing deep draughts of Katharine's beauty,
replied promptly,--

"If I might suggest, sir, I should say Mistress Wilton."

"No, no," said Katharine. "Drink, first of all, to the success of our
cause. I will give you a toast, gentlemen: Before our sweethearts, our
sisters, our wives, our mothers, let us place--our country," she
exclaimed, lifting her own glass.

The colonel laughed as he drank his toast, saying, "Nothing comes
before country with Katharine."

And Seymour, while he appreciated the spirit of the maiden, felt a
little pang of grief that even to a country he should be second,--an
astonishing change from that spiri