"Perhaps he counts on the effect of events to reconcile me--events
which he seems to expect will shortly happen--the complete triumph of
his cause, the disgrace, banishment, or death of its cpposers, and his
own elevation thereby to stations which, he thinks no woman will
refuse to share with him. He counts much also, probably, on the aiding
influence of my father, who feels warmly interested in his success,
and believes with the other that he, who is so loyal, while so many of
his standing are otherwise, cannot fail of reaping a brilliant harvest
of rewards, which, with the connection they propose, will reflect
lustre on our family."

"Then it does not occur to them," said Woodburn, with a smile at this
specimen of that loyal air-castle building in which the tories of the
revolution seemed to have so extravagantly indulged--"it does not
occur to them that it is even _possible_ these splendid schemes may
fail, in the failure of their cause in this country, which has thus,
in anticipation, been parcelled out into dukedoms and lordships, to
reward its sanguine adherents?"

"One would think not, from their conversation on the subject," replied
the other.

"And what thinks _she_, whom they would have so much _interested_ in
this great issue?" asked Woodburn, encouraged to the question by the
manner and tone of her last remark. "Has it never occurred to _her_
mind that their cause, as strong as they deem it, is destined to fail;
that even this vaunting army, which hangs so menacingly on our
borders, may be swept away by the vengeance of a wronged, an insulted,
and now aroused people; and that this despised people have right and