"Why did you not send me word last night? Neil would have come." "Neil was arrested, and also my dear old grandfather. It is shameful! shameful!" "What was Harry doing at your landing?" "I don't know. I was in my room. I was half-undressed, combing my hair out, when grandmother rushed to me with the news. It is not my fault, Agnes." "Did you ever meet Harry at your landing, Maria?" "Only twice, both times in the daylight. He was passing and happened to see me. There was no tryst between us; and I know nothing about last night, except----" "Except what?" "That if you had given him a chance to say 'Good-bye' to me here, he would not have thought of stopping at our landing; but," she added in a weary voice, "you were watching for Uncle Neil, and so, of course, you forgot other people." "Don't be cruel, Maria, as well as unjust." "All the same, it is the truth." "How was he discovered? You surely know that?" "No, I do not. There were at least ten or twelve soldiers--Highlanders. One of them struck Harry." "Oh, why do you tell me? Who could have betrayed him? Macpherson? You know you offended him." "It could not be Macpherson. He never saw Harry before. He knew nothing about him. He thought his name was Deane. If it had been Macpherson, your landing, not ours, would have been watched." "No; for he saw you and Harry coming through the garden hand-in-hand. I am sure he did. He went away in a fit of jealousy, and he would think of your landing as well as ours. But all that is nothing. We have but a few hours in which to try and save his life. I must awake father and tell him. It will break his heart." "You ought to have told him----" "I know." "What can I do?" "Women can do nothing but suffer. I am sorry with all my soul for you, Maria, and I will let you know what father does. Go home to your poor grandmother; she will need all the comfort you can give her." "I am sorry for you, Agnes; yes, I am! I will do anything I can. There is Lord Medway, he loves me; and General Clinton loves him, I know he does; I have seen them together." "Father is first. I must awaken him. Leave me now, Maria, dear. None but God can stand by me in this hour." Then Maria kissed her, and Agnes fell upon her knees, her arms spread out on her bed and her face buried in them. There were no words given her; she could not pray; but when the Gate of Prayer is closed the Gate of Tears is still open. She wept and was somewhat helped, though it was only by that intense longing after God which made her cry out, "O that I knew where to find Him, that I might come into His presence!"