The suddenness of the question, as well as its character, destroyed for an instant the composure of the young aid, who stammered and colored and hesitated ; but he was saved from a reply by the general, who bursting into a broad laugh, said: "Why, major, you blush and stammer like a schoolboy caught in a trick. I didn't mean anything when I spoke so to Margaret."

"I have not any idea, general," responded the major, whose face at the last words of his chief had turned ashy pale.

"Well, I did not suppose that you did, major; but if there is anything in it, we will find it out, I dare say."

Major Burr murmured something which he meant to be an assent, and rising from the table, withdrew from the apartment.

"It is my private opinion,” said the general, drawing back from the table, "that Major Aaron Burr and Miss Margaret Moncrieffe are a pair of love-sick children, Bah! what nonsense."

CHAPTER XXXIV.

MARGARET ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE.'

THE orders of the commander-in-chief were obeyed with alacrity, zeal and fidelity, though many were the expressions of wonderment as to what they portended, but of course they were executed without question.

The evening of the day so portentous in the history of our country, was bright, clear, and pleasant. The moon was in its first quarter, and detracted nothing from the brilliancy of the stars which studded the firmament.

Shortly after eight o'clock, two parties were seen wending their way past Richmond Hill, and as they walked leisurely along, with linked arms, they seemed deeply engaged in conversation-so deeply, that they at first scarcely heeded the challenge of the sentinel who paced the road which passed in front of the headquarters of the commander-in-chief of the American forces. A second challenge, however, aroused them, and the smaller of the twain, in answer to the hail, "to advance and give the countersign," dropped his com

panion's arm, and approaching the soldier, gave the required word in low tones. The musket was at once restored from the charge to the shoulder, and the pair again joining arms, passed on, followed by the eyes of the soldier, who wondered what could have brought them there at such an hour, and how they had learned the countersign; but having it, he was in duty bound to permit them to pass.

How, in heaven's name, Miss Margaret, did you get the word ?" asked the larger and elder of the two, when out of ear-shot, for his companion was no other than Margaret Moncrieffe, dressed in male attire, accompanied by Arthur Blanchard.

"All in good time, captain-all in good time, captain. In another hour you shall know all, or,” and she shuddered as she spoke, "nothing."

"You are a wonderful girl," said the captain, pressing his companion's arm. "If you had only been a man, what wonders you would have achieved; indeed, you have already accomplished more than all of us together."

"Yes," she laughed, "if I had only been a man, I should have been nothing but a man. No, no, Captain Blanchard, I am so proud to be Margaret Moncrieffe, I would not exchange my name for any reputation manhood might bring to me."

"Ahem!" said the captain, meaningly, but intuitively both felt it was no time now for mere bantering con

versation. Both were fleeing for their lives, and although one danger had been passed, others must be encountered.

Slowly they moved on, so as not to attract suspicion, and when fairly out of sight of the Richmond Hill House, and of course of the sentry, whose beat did not extend beyond the garden, Margaret turned suddenly into a lane, or rather path, which tended toward the river.

Noiselessly and cautiously they moved along in single file, Captain Blanchard taking the lead, and winding their way through the shrubbery and underbrush, the water's edge was at last reached. A low whistle from the captain was answered by some party hidden beneath the brush which concealed the water from sight, and in a few moments a man, in the garb of a sailor, made his appearance.

"Is all ready?" asked the captain, as the man approached and touched his hat.

"All right, captain," was the response, accompanied by another military salute.

"We had better get in the boat at once," said the captain to his companion, who now stood by his side. The shrubbery will conceal us beyond the possibility of discovery. Does your friend know the spot ?"

"Perfectly, and he will be here, I am confident, at the appointed hour."

"Come, then," and taking her hand, he led her

down the steep bank, aided by the sailor, who had answered his summons, and in a few minutes they were seated in the stern-sheets of the boat-a small yawl, manned by four men, who, evidently aware that they were engaged in a dangerous enterprise, stood up, gazing around as well as the darkness would permit, and crouching down upon their seats at the slightest noise.

Captain Blanchard, now feeling secure from the probability of capture, strove to draw Margaret into conversation; but gently waving her hand, as if to request his silence, she said: "Please don't ;" and burying her face in her hand, she gave way to her thoughts.

Leaving them thus placed, let us return to other parties. Shortly after they had passed the sentry, the officer of the guard came around, and gave strict orders that no persons were to be permitted to pass on any account whatever, whether they had the countersign or not, but to direct them to the guard-house. The sentinel's post was removed further down the road, so as to command a view of Corbie's house, and he was specially instructed to note, so far as was possible, how many entered there.

After receiving these orders, the soldier then communicated to the sergeant the fact that two persons, having the countersign, had passed shortly before. The sergeant, a keen, quick-witted soldier, who had seen much service, and who was devotedly attached to