on the Protector. A eulogy upon a traitor is bad
authority with an old cavalier like me."

"If, then, you need authority which you cannot question," the girl
replied, earnestly, "do you think that the royal cause lost strength by
the mild policy of Charles the Second? That is authority that even you
dare not question."

"Well, and what if I should say," replied Berkeley, "that this very
leniency was one of the causes that encouraged the recent rebellion? But
go, my child; I would rejoice if I could please you, but Hansford's fate
is settled. I pity you, but I cannot forgive him." And with a courteous
inclination of his head, he signified his desire that their interview
should end.

"Nay," shrieked Virginia, in desperation, "I will not let you go, except
you bless me," and throwing herself again upon her knees, she implored
his mercy. Berkeley, who, with all his sternness, was not an unfeeling
man, was deeply moved. What the result might have been can never be
known, for at that moment a voice was heard from the street exclaiming,
"Drummond is taken!" In an instant the whole appearance of the Governor
changed. His cheek flushed and his eye sparkled, as with hasty strides
he left the room and descended the stairs. No more the fine specimen of
a cavalier gentleman, his manner became at once harsh and irritable.

"Well, Mr. Drummond," he cried, as he saw the proud rebel led manacled
to the door. "'Fore God, and I am more delighted to see you than any man
in the colony. You shall hang in half an hour."

"And if he do," shrieked the wild voice of a woman from the crowd,
"think you that with your puny hand you can arrest the current of
liberty in this colony? And when you appear before the dread bar of
God, the spirits of these martyred patriots will rise up to condemn you,
and fiends shall snatch at your blood-stained soul, perfidious tyrant!
And I will be among them, for such a morsel of vengeance would sweeten
hell. Ha! ha! ha!"

With that wild, maniac laugh, Sarah Drummond disappeared from the crowd
of astounded spectators.

History informs us that the deadly threat of Berkeley was carried into
effect immediately. But it was not until two days afterwards that
William Drummond met a traitor's doom upon the common gallows.

Virginia Temple, thus abruptly left, and deprived of all hope, fell
senseless on the floor of the room. The hope which had all along
sustained her brave young heart, had now vanished forever, an