;
that freemen may be restrained by wholesome laws, but that they are
freemen still. That lesson, Sir William Berkeley must yet be taught. The
patriot who dares to teach him, is at last, the truest lover of his
country."

"I scarcely know what you say," said the young girl, weeping, "but tell
me, oh, tell me, have you joined your fortunes with a rebel?"

"If thus you choose to term him who loves freedom better than chains,
who would rather sacrifice life itself than to drag out a weary
existence beneath the galling yoke of oppression, I have. I know you
blame me. I know you hate me now," he added, in a sad voice, "but while
it was my duty, as a freeman and a patriot, to act thus, it was also my
duty, as an honourable man, to tell you all. You remember the last lines
of our favourite song,

"I had not loved thee dear, so much,
Loved I not honour more."

"Alas! I remember the words but too well," replied Virginia, sadly, "but
I had been taught that the honour there spoken of, was loyalty to a
king, not treason. Oh, Hansford, forgive me, but how can I, reared as I
have been, with such a father, how can I"--she hesitated, unable to
complete the fatal sentence.

"I understand you," said Hansford. "But one thing then remains undone.
The proscribed rebel must be an outlaw to Virginia Temple's heart. The
trial is a sore one, but even this sacrifice can I make to my beloved
country. Thus then I give you back your troth. Take it--take it," he
cried, and with one hand covering his eyes, he seemed with the other to
tear from his heart some treasured jewel that refused to yield its
place.

The violence of his manner, even more than the fatal words he had
spoken, alarmed Virginia, and with a wild scream, that rang through the
old hall, she threw herself fainting upon his neck. The noise reached
the ears of the party, who remained above stairs, and Colonel Temple,
his wife, and Bernard, threw open the door and stood for a moment silent
spectators of the solemn scene. There stood Hansford, his eye lit up
with excitement, his face white as ashes, and his strong arm supporting
the trembling form of the young girl, while with his other hand he was
chafing her white temples, and smoothing back the long golden tresses
that had fallen dishevelled over her face.

"My child, my child," shrieked her mother, who was the first to speak,
"what on earth is the matter?"

"Yes, Hansford, in the devil's name, what is to pay?" said t