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movement, but did not think it necessary to remind him that there was more than one "captain" in the world.

"You more than realize my expectations, my dear niece; and I am rejoiced to see you so tractable; but you were always a dutiful girl."

The heart of Agnes smote her for a moment; but the remorse was not sufficient to induce her to undeceive her relative.

"No one appears better on horseback than the Captain; and at the head of his troop he looks and acts the hero."

"He does indeed," replied Agnes. "A more noble and valiant youth could not be found. One who scorns a dishonorable action, and has no feeling in common with rebel or traitor."

"True, most true, uncle."

“Of high birth and immense wealth. One of the aristocracy of England!" Agnes thought of her heart's chosen-a captive, without home, friends, or the world's wealth and honors; rich only in that nobility of soul which changed Tasso's dungeon into a palace and her fine face glowed with pride as she still echoed her uncle's words.

"You are a happy girl, Agnes!"

"Happy! Oh yes, uncle, I am very, very happy!" and poor Agnes burst into tears, and wept for some time as if her heart were breaking.

"A strange way of evincing it, by Jupiter!" exclaimed General Howe, gazing on his niece with increased amazement. "Come, come, child, this capricious conduct is extremely silly. And what a face to show your betrothed, when he comes! I have invited him to dinner. Will you meet him with tears? Go, foolish girl, and make yourself fit to be seen. This is the most wayward prank I ever witnessed in you."

Glad to escape, Agnes flew to her chamber, shut the door, and gave vent to the agony of her mind; while her joyful uncle sat down and wrote a long letter to Captain Chester, of the Royal Guards, informing him of the successful issue of his suit, to which was added his own warm congratula

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At this permission the face was followed by a grotesque-looking body, mounted on a pair of long, ill-shapen limbs, with arms to match. A coat much too short for these arms, and nether garments equally short for the legs, with a gaudy-flowered waistcoat, and a three-cornered hat, completed the attire of this strange apparition. A | pompous flourish of the three-cornered hat, and an awkward scrape of the foot preceded the delivery of Dromio's message, which proved to be merely a letter; and he was scraping himself out again, when his master bade him stay. Dromio drew up his foot, crushed his hat under his arm, and strode across the room to a small recess, where he sat catching flies and feeding a large spider, suspended from the ceiling.

General Howe opened the letter and read as follows:

DEAR GENERAL:-I have just received an insolent message from Mr. Washington, demanding more lenient treatment of the prisoners in our possession. Does he suppose we shall seek no retaliation for the many injuries inflicted upon the noble Britons who, in the fortune of war, have fallen into the hands of the rebels? In my opinion, these rebels should suffer the fate of common criminals. I see no distinction in the

nature of their offense. The young man who, with several soldiers, was sent to you a few days since, has been suspected of carrying on an intricate correspondence,

which has drawn some of our bravest men into a snare. I would suggest the propriety of keeping him in close confinement; and if any one must be exchanged, let it be any other than he. A fellow by the name of Dr. Church has been arrested in Boston, charged with writing a letter in cipher to Captain Wallace, and suspected of containing some conspiracy against the Americans. This circumstance should make us watchful. Have you examined young B- yet? If not, I advise that you do so immediately. Captain Chester will be with you at two o'clock.

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"Desire him to step up here a moment." The man bowed, and withdrew. General continued his soliloquy.

"I must use Chester to further my plans, and Agnes shall be the pledge for the faithful performance of his duty. Such pliant minds are necessary sometimes. The matter shall be settled at once; and I know not why the marriage should not take place without delay. As for Agnes-but I have her consent, and that is sufficient.”

Yet, although General Howe confessed himself satisfied at the happy results of his plans, there was a certain nervous twitching of his fingers, a restlessness in his movements, a contracting of his heavy eyebrows, which denoted a mind ill at ease. Several times the half-audible words, "silly girl," or "maiden bashfulness," and more frequently

the sudden ejaculation, "ridiculous airs, that ought to be cured," escaped his lips. He unfolded and folded again the letter in his hands, walked the room, and was growing impatient of his own solitary thoughts, when the door opened, and Colonel Williams entered with an expression of pleasure and satisfaction upon his countenance.

The letter was read, and its contents discussed by the two officers. Williams listened attentively, tapping his boot the while; but at the conclusion, to the extreme astonishment of Howe, burst into a violent fit of laughter. The quick blood sprang in a fiery torrent to the brow of his superior officer, who demanded, in a fierce tone, "what he meant by such an insult?"

Williams was one of the best-humored men in the world. It was always said of him, that "he never wounded a fellowcreature, save on the field of battle, where he was a very lion;" and the idea of insulting his General was a crime he had never thought of. It was some time, however, ere he could compose his risibles, even when he observed the dark brow before him growing darker; a circumstance which instantly reminded him of his imprudence.

"Pardon me, my dear sir; I was far from intending any insult; but really, the contemptuous appellation, Mr. Washington, and the exhibition of Gage's tender mercies towards the enemy, was too much for my philosophy. Are you aware that a letter was written by to Mr. Washington, and returned with the cool answer that there was no such person in the American army,' and that 'the Commander-in-Chief of the American forces must be addressed by his proper title, or no letter or other document sent to him would be honored with a perusal !' ”

The habitual grave severity of Howe's countenance was not proof against the infection caught from the laughing eye of his companion. The contracted brow began to unbend, and the compressed lips to unclose; but it was more to assail the presumption of the self-made aristocrat, as he called him,

than to laugh at the oddity of the thing. More important business, however, soon drew the attention of both officers, and Williams hastened to communicate the agreeable intelligence that forty privates had deserted from the American army to their standard, and were impatient to be put on duty. They were now in the guardroom, awaiting his orders.

"Another bone for Schuyler to pick," exclaimed Howe, springing up with animation; "and, by the way, that reminds me that I have another agreeable piece of business to perform. Young Bradford must be examined, that we may decide whether he is to be treated as a prisoner of war or an unworthy culprit."

During the discussion, Dromio had glided about the room, pretending to be very busy in arranging the furniture, though, much to the annoyance of his master, he put every thing in the wrong place, in his endeavors to make them "prim," as he called it. He was repeatedly ordered to desist, when he would reply, "Yis, master," and go to work in another corner. Colonel Williams watched him for some time, and, bursting into another peal of merriment, asked Howe where he picked up such a curious specimen of humanity as that.

"It is an appendage of the house of Fletcher," replied Howe. "I should have got rid of the fellow long ago, but he seems such a simple, inoffensive animal, that, in pity to his misfortune-for you observe he is a witling-I suffer him to go at large. I suppose it would break the poor fool's heart to leave his mistress, my niece. He follows her about like a dog. But he is very troublesome to me, for he not only keeps every thing in confusion, but-"

At this moment the old servant, making a sudden dart at a large blue-bottle fly, drove his fist through a pane of glass in the window, and scattered the shivered fragments in every direction.

"Leave the room, you rascal, or I'll break your head," thundered the General, raising his ponderous cane, and shaking it at the culprit.

"Yis, sir," replied the menial; and freeing the captive flies, he made three strides to the door, his eyeballs rolling up in his head, and his finger thrust into his cheek, imitating the sound made by extracting a cork from a bottle. But Dromio had no intention of removing himself beyond the reach of his master's voice. The door was left ajar, and occasionally a cocked hat, with an unmeaning eye peering from under it, was cautiously protruded, and again withdrawn. At length the good fellow's curiosity was satisfied, for he shut the door, and, scampering across the hall, took his station at the head of the stairs; and again the sound of the uncorking of a bottle proceeded from his broad cheek.

"No ketch this weasel 'sleep;"-bung! (uncorking the bottle with great vehemence.) "How long Miss Aggy stays!"—bung! "Master Bradford swing on apple-tree afore she come;" and at the thought, Dromio shook his fist repeatedly at the door of the room, where the sound of voices was hardly perceptible.

"Think I's a fool, hey! I'll show 'em a thing or two 'fore morning"-bung! and Dromio finished his soliloquy by pulling several large pieces of gingerbread from his pocket, and, sitting down on the stairs, commenced devouring them with great voracity.

Suddenly the faint tingle of a bell rung along the gallery. Dromio started to his feet, and the last cake of gingerbread went rolling down the stairs. Snatching from his pocket a bright red silk handkerchief, he wiped his mouth with it, and then, carefully folding it, returned it to its place. He then cut several capers in the air, to the imminent peril of his skull, which several times saluted the ceiling. He took off his three-cornered hat, stroked down his long locks till they resembled sea-weeds on a rock, pulled down his coat-sleeves as far as they would descend, and at length, satisfied with his personal appearance, marched along the gallery in the direction of the sound. A door opened, and Agnes Fletcher beckoned him towards her.

"What do they say, Dromio? Is he to of a fellow-being? And what though the be released?"

Dromio took off his hat, clasped both his hands around his neck, pretending to strangle, and shook his fist in the direction of Howe's apartment.

“Good heavens, is it possible! Dromio, you must go instantly to my brother, and tell him to come here with all speed."

"What, Miss Aggy! go 'mong all them guns and swords? They won't let me see Master Edward; they'll kill me. What shall I do if they kitch me? and you'll have nobody to take care of you while I'm gone. Oh dear, dear!"

"Then you would rather they should hang poor Mr. Bradford, than go through a little danger to save him, Dromio ?"

Dromio was a coward, but his love for his mistress was superior to every other consideration. He consented to go, and Agnes flew to her room, wrote a few hasty lines to her brother, explaining the situation of Louis, and her fears that the trial would only result in a sentence of death.

"Do try, dear brother," she wrote, "to ascertain what has become of that unfortunate letter. According to Mr. Bradford's statement, it is of every importance to insure his safety. He says that the poor man who was arrested at the same time with himself, has been put to death. If you could discover who was with him in his last moments, perhaps you might hear something of it. If you cannot come immediately, Edward, send word by Dromio if any thing can be done on my part to save your friend." Agnes here dropped the pen, and buried her burning face in her hands. "What am I about?" said she to herself; "conniving at the escape of a rebel, and urging my brother to do the same! Perhaps exposing him to the very peril from which I would rescue Louis. What would my uncle say, if he knew all this? Yet he must not, shall not die! Heavenly Father!" she exclaimed, throwing herself on her knees, "Thou alone knowest the purity of my motives. Am I not justified in endeavoring to save the life

world contemn! what though I may provoke its sneers! what though my uncle even should cast me off as a disgrace to his loyal house! Louis! I could be happier with thee in the loneliest corner of the earth, than if mistress of the world, with the knowledge that thou wert sacrificed, and I might have saved thee!" She wiped away the struggling tears that would rise, in spite of all her efforts to restrain them, folded the letter, sealed it carefully, and gave it to her faithful attendant, with strict charge to becareful to deliver it into no other hands than his young master's.

Whatever failing Dromio might possess, he was cunning as a fox, and Agnes knew it was safer to confide a message to his care than trust a wiser messenger. The poor fellow's misfortune would be his protection, and his known attachment to his master insure his admittance into the royal camp. It was now a most difficult task to account to her uncle for the absence of the servant, and Agnes, unused to deceit, spent some hours in considering how she might frame an excuse for him. It was near the dinnerhour, too, and a more difficult task was before her, that of veiling her troubled countenance in smiles, and preparing to meet a suitor unwelcome on many accounts, but now doubly hateful as the persecutor of him she loved. With a heart ill at ease, but a countenance composed, the young lady descended to the drawing-room, where her uncle met her at the door, and presented her to his military guests. The dreaded suitor had not yet arrived; and as the persons present were elderly officers, and busily engaged in conversation about the plans and operations of the army, Agnes took her needle-work, and seated herself in a recess, half hidden from view by a rich drapery of red satin. The dinner was announced, and Captain Chester had not yet arrived. She indulged the forlorn hope that he might be delayed until her brother's arrival, when they could devise some plan of escape from the toils in which she was now involved.

But how did her heart beat when Colonel Williams proposed to examine the prisoner before an answer should be sent to the letter of General Gage. The proposal met with the approbation of the other officers, and a guard was sent to conduct Bradford to their presence. Agnes drew the folds of the large curtain together. Her uncle seemed to have forgotten that she was in the room; and she was uncertain whether to escape or remain where she was. There was no time, however, for deliberation, for a few moments saw her lover standing before his stern judges.

The youth and intellectual beauty of Louis appeared to make a favorable impression. The British officers looked at each other, and then at the young soldier in admiring silence. Louis drew up his manly figure, and his proud, dark eye quailed not as he looked upon his judges. Agnes had shrunk to the farthest corner of the recess as Louis entered the room, but she could not refrain from one glance at that form which might soon be removed from her sight for ever. "Oh, Louis!" thought she, as she gazed at his high and thoughtful brow, "can any one for a moment see thee thus, and imagine thee guilty of a base action?" Once or twice she thought of making some movement to acquaint him with her presence, but maiden delicacy forbade. General Howe now bent his searching eye upon the prisoner, and demanded his name.

"Louis Bradford."

well-known spy. A letter, also, was found upon him, in your writing, and enigmatical enough to excite suspicion. If you can explain the nature of that communication, and your motive for writing it, it might materially alter our view of the case."

At mention of the letter, Agnes listened with the most painful anxiety. She was certain that Louis would shed his heart's blood rather than betray those feelings which, though honorable and worthy, he scorned to exhibit to the world; and yet, without some explanation, how could he satisfy the minds of those upon whose decision hung his fate? "Oh! if Edward would only come," thought she, "he might save him-save me, for with his life is involved my own."

The prisoner lost not for a moment the calm composure which marked him on his entrance. At the question as to the contents of the letter, a deep flush passed over his countenance for an instant, and was gone, observed only by one agitated spectator. Had he known who was a witness to his emotion, that strong effort at self-control might have been vain.

In the mild countenance of Colonel Williams, Agnes saw the only expression of pity for the condition of the prisoner. All the others were rigid as stone; and more firm and determined did they grow, as Louis refused to give any further explanation of his conduct.

"We may consider the guilt of this young man as certain, since he cannot clear himself

"You belong to the army of Washing- from this charge. Let him be removed, and ton?"

"I am a captain, sir, in the service of my country, under the banner of the commanderin-chief of her forces."

to-morrow morning his sentence shall be pronounced."

Agnes, starting from her seat, made a faint effort to speak, but her tongue seemed to cleave to her mouth. She could not utter a word; she could not move a step. At this moment she perceived a horseman galloping at full speed towards the house. "It is he"Will it please you, sir, to bring forward it is my brother!" she ejaculated, "and he my accusers?"

"You are accused of carrying on a secret correspondence with the soldiers of his Majesty, in order to draw them from their allegiance."

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may yet be saved."

"Remove the prisoner."

The guard were about to obey.

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