cent fort on York River, he prepared to maintain
his power and his dignity by the sword.

Such was the state of things on the evening that Thomas Hansford and his
companions arrived at Windsor Hall. The intelligence of their arrival
created much excitement, and the inmates of the mansion differed greatly
in their opinions as to the intention of the young rebel. Poor Mrs.
Temple, in whose mind fear always predominated over every other feeling,
felt assured that Hansford had come, attended by another "ruffian,"
forcibly to abduct Virginia from her home--and a violent fit of
hysterics was the result of her suspicions. Virginia herself,
vacillating between hope and fear, trusted, in the simplicity of her
young, girlish heart, that her lover had repented of his grievous error,
and had come to claim her love, and to sue to the Governor for pardon.
Sir William Berkeley saw in the mission of Hansford, a faint hope that
the rebels, alarmed by his late proclamation, had determined to return
to their allegiance, and that Hansford was the bearer of a proposition
to this effect, imploring at the same time the clemency and pardon of
the government, against which they had so grievously offended.

"And they shall receive mercy, too, at my hands, "said the old knight,
as a tear glistened in his eye. "They have learned to fear the power of
the government, and to respect its justice, and they shall now learn to
love its merciful clemency. God forbid, that I should chasten my
repenting people, except as children, for their good."

"Not so fast, my honoured Governor," said Philip Ludwell, who, with the
other attendants of Berkeley, had gathered around him in the porch; "you
may be mistaken in your opinion. I believe--I know--that your wish is
father to the thought in this matter. But look at the resolution and
determined bearing of that young man. Is his the face or the bearing of
a suppliant?"

Ludwell was right. The noble countenance of Hansford, always expressive,
though sufficiently respectful to the presence which he was about to
enter, indicated any thing rather than tame submission. His face was
very pale, and his lip quivered for a moment as he approached the
anxious crowd of loyalists, who remained standing in the porch, but it
was at once firmly compressed by the strength of resolution. As he
advanced, he raised his hat and profoundly saluted the Governor, and
then drawing himself up to his full height, he stood silently awaiti