"Yes, and your friend likewise. She has scarce a mite o' color o' any kind; a little o' the human sunshine tint--the red and gold on her cheeks--and she might be better looking." "Better looking! Why, grandmother, Agnes was the beauty of the school." "Schoolgirls are poor judges o' beauty. She has a wonderfu' pleasant way with her, but that isn't beauty." "I thought you liked her, I am so sorry and disappointed." "She is weel enough--in her way. There are plenty o' girls not as pleasant; but she is neither Venus, nor Helen o' Troy. I was speaking o' Captain Macpherson; when he stood in the garden with your uncle Neil, his hand on his sword and the wind blowing his golden hair----" "Grandmother! His hair is red." "It is naething o' the kind, Maria. It is a bonnie golden-brown. It may, perhaps, have a cast o' red, but only enough to give it color. And he has a kindly handsome face, sweet-eyed and fearless." "I did not notice his eyes. He seems fearless, and he is certainly good-tempered. Have you known him a long time, grandmother?" "I never saw him before this afternoon," the old lady answered wearily. She had become suddenly tired. Maria's want of enthusiasm chilled her. She could not tell whether the girl was sincere or not. Women generally have two estimates of the men they meet; one which they acknowledge, one which they keep to themselves. When the gentlemen returned to the sitting-room a young negro was lighting the fire, and Macpherson looked at him with attention. "A finely built fellow," he said, when the slave had left the room; "such men ought to make good fighters." Then turning to Madame he added, "Captain de Lancey lost four men, and Mr. Bayard five men last week. They were sent across the river to cut wood and they managed to reach the rebel camp. We have knowledge that there is a full regiment of them there now." "They are fighting for their personal freedom," said the Elder, "and who wouldna fight for that? Washington has promised it, if they fight to the end o' the war." "They have a good record already," said Macpherson. "I have nae doubt o' it," answered the Elder. "Fighting would come easier than wood cutting, no to speak o' the question o' freedom. I heard a sough o' rumor about them and the Hessians; true, or not, I can't say." "It is true. They beat back the Hessians three times in one engagement." "I'm glad o' it," said Madame, "slaves are good enough to fight hired human butchers." "O, you know, Madame, the Hessians are mercenaries; they make arms a profession." He spoke with a languid air of defense; the Hessians were not of high consideration in his opinion, but Madame answered with unusual warmth: