among us, we have to be unceasingly vigilant. You must go home with General Putnam, and I will see you in the morning. I have to ride a long distance to-morrow," ," and these last words were uttered in tones which said, "Would you like to accompany me?"

"So much the better, Aaron. We shall have a better opportunity for conversation, for I shall manage to join you. You see I am bold, but love has made me

So."

"Thank you a thousand times, my own Margaret," exclaimed the young officer, enthusiastically, as he drew her arm within his own, and leading her back into the room where the company were still assembled, consigned her to the care of the good old general, to whom he had reported the fact of the fire, and announced his intention of going to the scene in order to ascertain, if possible, whether it was an accident or the result of design on the part of some of the turbulent Tories who were permitted to remain in the city, though only upon giving bonds for their behavior.

major," he said, as Mar"Go and see what it is, I shall not retire until

"She will go home with me, garet drew close to his side. and report when you return. you come back. Oh, you need not fear for Miss Moncrieffe," said the old soldier, gaily, as he caught his aid stealing a glance at Margaret. "If I don't take good care of her, there are a hundred here ready to take my place. She will be safe enough, I will warrant."

Major Burr made no reply to his general, but with a low bow, took his leave, and proceeded toward the scene of the fire.

The conflagration was very trifling, and the flames being soon extinguished, the young aid retired to his own quarters, where he found General Putnam in the parlor, surrounded by his family, Margaret, of course, included, and having made his report, he was about retiring for the night, when the general arrested him by saying:

"By the way, major," and as Major Burr turned to receive his command, he continued sternly: "I wish you would send some discreet officer to-morrow night, to Corbie's, and report what he sees and hears. It is our belief that his pestilent den is the resort of the most dangerous characters, who are eternally plotting treason; and if we discover any cause, we are determined to break his house up at once, and send him out of the city. Pick out some one not likely to be known, and let him make any pretence he chooses, to find out what is really going on there, but it must be some brave, cool-headed, intelligent

man."

"I have one in my eye now, general," replied the aid, "a young fellow from Elizabeth. He is the son of an old lady, with whom I am well acquainted, and with whom I have passed many a happy hour; a sharp, keen, quick-witted fellow, brave as a lion, and if there is any

thing wrong going on, I will guarantee he will find it

out."

While this conversation was going on, between the general and his aid, Margaret seemed an attentive listener to the prattle of the general's daughters concerning the ball and their beaux (for in those days, young ladies were just as fond of the ball and beau, as they are at present), but she had heard and remembered every word which he had uttered.

In a few minutes after the aid had retired, she pleaded a severe headache, for leaving such pleasant company, and withdrew to her own room, and seating herself at a table, drew forth a small slip of paper, and hastily wrote a few lines in pencil. This she folded up in a very small compass, and placed in her pocket; and she then proceeded to note down the incidents and occurrences of the day and night, as, indeed, she had done since the first day she rode out with Major Burr.

CHAPTER XII.

THE BROTHERS' MEETING.

On the following morning, General Putnam's presented the appearance of a levee. Officers of every grade poured in, with kind inquiries after the health of the Misses Putnam, who had the penetration, however, to discover that this remarkable anxiety for their health, was but a pretext for seeing Miss Moncrieffe; and while slightly piqued, they had the discretion and good sense to make the best of it. Indeed, one of them, taking a moment when the parlor was empty of visitors, said to Margaret, with an arch look; "it's well you can't marry more than one, Margaret, there's some chance for us, after you have taken your choice."

"Keep them all, cousin Bell," she said, gaily. "I am too good a loyalist for any of them, and they know it, for I have spoken my mind very freely."

At this juncture another visitor was announced, one who was a stranger to the general's family, and who had inquired for Miss Moncrieffe.

It was Captain Blanchard, of the Royalist army; and as his name was announced, Margaret sprang forward, and as she did so, she hastily thrust her right hand into

the pocket of her dress, and as she advanced, she drew it forth and extended both hands, which were warmly grasped by the gallant, but unfortunate officer, who, as an old friend of Major Moncrieffe, was warmly attached to his daughter.

"An old friend of mine, ladies," she said, drawing him forward, and retaining one of his hands in her own; one of my father's best friends-Captain Blanchard, of the royal army.”

The Misses Putnam bowed to the salutation of the captain, but his reception was much less cordial than that of the provincial officers-for the general's daughters were ardent patriots. This was felt by the captain, who, however, only exhibited his perception of it, by directing the most of his conversation to Margaret ; and the advent of two or three young officers enabled him for a few moments, to converse with her alone. She inquired after old friends, spoke about home and dear old England, with the honest enthusiasm of her heart, and, for the moment, forgot their position-he, a prisoner on parole; she, the protégée of a rebel general, glad of the protection which he had so courteously proffered, and which was so hospitably secured to her.

A few moments only, however, were allowed them for private conversation—if, indeed, that could be called private, which was overheard by all present-for the visitors soon turned it into a more general channel; and Captain Blanchard having, by his manly, polished bear