country.

"She sent her family to bed, according to directions, before the
officers came, and after admitting them retired to her own couch, but
not to sleep, for her thoughts were busy with conjectures in regard to
the mischief they--the unwelcome intruders into her house--might be
plotting against her country.

"She had lain down without undressing and after a little she rose and
stole softly, in her stocking feet, to the door of the room where they
were assembled.

"All was quiet at the moment when she reached it. She put her ear to the
keyhole and--doubtless, with a fast beating heart--waited there,
listening intently for the sound of the officers' voices.

"For a few moments all was silence; then it was broken by a single voice
reading aloud an order from Sir William Howe for the troops to march out
of the city the next night and make an attack upon Washington's camp at
Whitemarsh.

"Lydia waited to hear no more, for that was sufficient, and it would
have been dangerous indeed for her to be caught there.

"She hastened back to her own room and again threw herself on the bed;
but not to sleep, as you may well imagine.

"Presently the opening and shutting of doors told her that the visitors
of the adjutant-general were taking their departure; then there was a
rap on her door. But she did not answer it. It was repeated, but still