given her life to recall them. To her astonishment, however, Col.
Hamilton laughed outright, and the ladies turned and approached
her, but were checked by a slight gesture from the otherwise
impassive figure of the general.

"It is possible, Mistress Thankful," he resumed, with undisturbed
composure, "that one at least of these gentlemen may be known to
us, and that your instincts may be correct. At least rest assured
that we shall fully inquire into it, and that your father shall
have the benefit of that inquiry."

"I thank your Excellency," said Thankful, still reddening under the
contemplation of her own late frankness, and retreating toward the
door. "I--think--I--must--go--now. It is late, and I have far to
ride."

To her surprise, however, Washington stepped forward, and, again
taking her hands in his, said with a grave smile, "For that very
reason, if for none other, you must be our guest to-night, Mistress
Thankful Blossom. We still retain our Virginian ideas of
hospitality, and are tyrannous enough to make strangers conform to
them, even though we have but perchance the poorest of
entertainment to offer them. Lady Washington will not permit
Mistress Thankful Blossom to leave her roof to-night until she has
partaken of her courtesy as well as her counsel."

"Mistress Thankful Blossom will make us believe that she has at
least in so far trusted our desire to serve her justly, by
accepting our poor hospitality for a single night," said Lady
Washington, with a stately courtesy.