policy of the commander-in-chief to overlook the political
preferences of non-combatants, and to strive to win their
allegiance to the good cause by liberal privileges. But when it
was lately discovered that two strangers, although bearing a pass
from him, have been frequenters of this house under fictitious
names--"

"You mean Count Ferdinand and the Baron Pomposo," said Thankful
quickly,--"two honest gentlefolk; and if they choose to pay their
devoirs to a lass--although, perhaps, not a quality lady, yet an
honest girl--"

"Dear Mistress Thankful," said the major with a profound bow and
smile, that, spite of its courtesy, drove Thankful to the verge of
wrathful hysterics, "if you establish that fact,--and, from this
slight acquaintance with your charms, I doubt not you will,--your
father is safe from further inquiry or detention. The commander-
in-chief is a gentleman who has never underrated the influence of
your sex, nor held himself averse to its fascinations."

"What is the name of this informer?" broke in Mistress Thankful
angrily. "Who is it that has dared--"

"It is but king's evidence, mayhap, Mistress Thankful; for the
informer is himself under arrest. It is on the information of
Capt. Allan Brewster of the Connecticut Contingent."

Mistress Thankful whitened, then flushed, and then whitened again.
Then she stood up to the major.