"I did not know--at first. Now I realize it will require a higher motive
to influence you; not love of life, but love of country."

I felt the closer clasp of her fingers on my guiding hand, and knew I
took a deep breath of surprise.

"Lean your head just a little closer," she whispered. "I--I know you,
Major Lawrence, and--and I wish you well."

How I kept to the measure I cannot now imagine, for, in an instant, all
my house of cards crumbled into nothingness. She knew me, this blue-eyed
girl; knew me, and sought to aid my mission, this daughter of a loyalist,
this lady of the Blended Rose. It was inconceivable, and yet a fact--my
name had been whispered by her lips.

Suddenly she looked up laughing, as though to make others feel that we
conversed lightly. We passed Grant, even as I held my breath, almost
afraid to venture with words. Yet they would not be restrained.

"You certainly startled me; how do you know this? Surely we have never
met before?"

"I refuse to be questioned, sir; it means nothing how I know--the fact
that I do should be sufficient."

"But Mistress Claire--"

"Rather Mistress Mortimer."