immediate charge; but the hearts of both were too full to improve the
opportunity with much conversation. The young intriguer, who cared but
little in his selfish heart for either loyalists or rebels, still felt
that he had placed his venture on a wrong card, and was about to lose.
The hopes of preferment which he had cherished were about to be
dissipated by the ill fortune of his patron, and the rival of his love,
crowned with success, he feared, might yet bear away the prize which he
had so ardently coveted. Virginia Temple had more generous cause for
depression than he. Hers was the hard lot to occupy a position of
neutrality in interest between the contending parties. Whichever faction
in the State succeeded, she must be a mourner; for, in either case, she
was called upon to sacrifice an idol which she long had cherished, and
which she must now yield for ever. They sat together near the stern of
the boat, and watched the moonlight diamonds which sparkled for a moment
on the white spray that dropped from the dripping oar, and then passed
away.

"It is thus," said Bernard, with a heavy sigh. "It is thus with this
present transient life. We dance for a moment upon the white waves of
fortune, rejoicing in light and hope and joy--but the great, unfeeling
world rolls on, regardless of our little life, while we fade even while
we sparkle, and our places are supplied by others, who in their turn,
dance and shine, and smile, and pass away, and are forgotten!"

"It is even so," said Virginia, sadly--then turning her blue eyes
upward, she added, sweetly, "but see, Mr. Bernard, the moon which shines
so still and beautiful in heaven, partakes not of the changes of these
reflected fragments of her brightness. So we, when reunited to the
heaven from which our spirits came, will shine again unchangeable and
happy."

"Yes, my sweet one," replied her lover passionately, "and were it my
destiny to be ever thus with you, and to hear the sweet eloquence of
your pure lips, I would not need a place in heaven to be happy."

"Mr. Bernard," said Virginia, "is this a time or place to speak thus?
The circumstances by which we are surrounded should check every selfish
thought for the time, in our care for the more important interests at
stake."

"My fair, young loyalist," said Bernard, "and is it because of the
interest excited in your bosom by the fading cause of loyalty, that you
check so quickly the slightest word of admiration from one