nt. Because one of the captains of our host has sought
the hand of Virginia Temple. Ah, blush, maiden, for the blush of shame
well becomes one who has deserted her lover, because he has laid aside
every weight, and pressed forward to the prize of his high calling. Yet
a little while, and the brave men of Virginia will be here to show the
malignant Berkeley, that the servant is not greater than his lord--that
they who reared up this temple of his authority, can rase it to the
ground and bury him in its ruins. I come from Thomas Hansford, to ask
that you will under my guidance meet him where I shall appoint
to-night."

"This is most strange conduct on his part," said Virginia, flushing with
indignation, "nor will I believe him guilty of it. Why did he entrust a
message like this to you instead of writing?"

"A warrior writes with his sword and in blood," replied the woman.
"Think you that they who wander in the wilderness, are provided with pen
or ink to write soft words of love to silly maidens? But he foresaw that
you would refuse, and he gave me a token--I fear a couplet from a carnal
song."

"What is it?" cried Virginia, anxiously.

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

said the woman, in a low voice. "Thus the words run in my memory."

"And it is indeed a true token," said Virginia, "but once for all, I
cannot consent to this singular request."

"Decide not in haste, lest you repent at leisure," returned the woman,
"I will come to-night at ten o'clock to receive your final answer. And
regret not, Virginia Temple, that your fate is thus linked with a brave
man. The babe unborn will yet bless the rising in this country--and
children shall rise up and call us blest.[36] And, oh! as you would
prove worthy of him who loves you, abide not thou like Reuben among the
sheep-folds to hear the bleating of the flocks, and you will yet live to
rejoice that you have turned a willing ear to the words and the counsel
of Sarah Drummond."

There was a pause of some moments, during which Virginia was wrapt in
her own reflections concerning the singular message of Hansford,
rendered even more singular by the character and appearance of the
messenger. Suddenly she was startled from her reverie by the blast of a
trumpet, and the distant trampling of horses' hoofs. Sarah Drummond also
started at the sound, but not from the same cause, for she heard in that
sound the blast of defiance--the trum