"But what am I to go to Cambridge for?" she asked rather nervously, still with her arms around his neck, and holding back her head to get a better look at his face, in which a serious expression seemed to be underlying its usual brightness. "Did I not tell you,--because General Washington sent us to fetch you? But come," he added more gravely, "we must get away at once. Hasten and get yourself ready and I will tell you all as we ride along." "Had I not better go with her?" asked Mary, when Dot had left them. Her husband shook his head. "No, it was only Dot we were to bring." "But for her to go alone, with a lot of men--" Mary began. He put an arm around her shoulder as he interrupted her remonstrances. "She goes with her brother, sweetheart, and to meet her husband." "But she is coming back?" And Mary spoke very anxiously. "Aye, she'll return sometime to-morrow; but for how long is for herself and the other to decide." Then he explained: "The British have a man of ours, one Captain Pickett, a valiant soldier, with a stout arm and true heart. They have had him these three months, a prisoner in Boston, and we have been most anxious to bring about his exchange. General Washington has now arranged this through Southorn, who is to return to-morrow to Boston, and Captain Pickett is to be sent to us. After that, as I have said, we have no right to dictate Dorothy's movements. Captain Southorn has told me that he should return to England as soon as may be." "Then," said Mary in a tone of conviction, and the tears springing to her eyes, "Dot will go with him." "Aye, belike," he sighed, "for they love one another truly." "And you, Jack, do you--can you look at and speak to this man with any tolerance?" demanded his wife, the asperity of her voice seeming to dry away the tears. "I try to do so, for Dot's sake, and for what he is to her. I've found him to be a gentleman, and a right manly fellow, despite the prank of which he was guilty." "Well, I shall hate him the longest day I live!" Mary could say nothing more, for Mistress Knollys and Hugh now came in from another room, where they had been together. Dorothy had passed this room on her way up the stairs, and seeing Hugh, stopped, while he came forward quickly to meet her. "Oh, Hugh, but I am truly glad to see you once more!" she exclaimed. "How long, how very long it seems since you went away!" And there were tears shining in the eyes she raised to his face. He clasped both her extended hands, and reminding himself of all he had heard, strove to hide his true feelings, while his mother, from the room back of them, watched the two in silence, still seeming to hear the cry he had uttered only a moment before,-- "Oh, mother, mother, I feel that my heart will break!"