"Yes, I do--you colonists are learning fast. Witness, the Stamp Act, and so on. You are growing powerful, and with power comes laxity. But, we diverge--we were discussing our hostess; scarcely, the best-bred thing to do, but excusable under the circumstances. Has she never been in love--since she came to Annapolis, I mean?" "I think not," said Plater; "at least, there never has been any indication of it. The one man she seems to like at all times, is Richard Maynadier--and he is almost old enough to be her father. He never has attempted to grow sentimental. He could not, if he wanted to. Maynadier and sentiment are strangers to each other." ("A word to the wise!" thought Parkington. "I must have a care, I see, for Mr. Richard Maynadier. No sentiment? Why, the man is full of it, or I observed him very poorly, last night.") What he said was: "Sometimes it is the slow hound that catches the fox, you know." "Meaning Maynadier?" laughed Plater. "No one else is eligible, you say." "I did not say _he_ was eligible." "But he is the only one who is given an opportunity--consequently, he must have a chance, if he care to take it." "Pooh! He would be sent about his business as quickly as the next one, if he got sentimental. He is the _fidus achates_--he does not want to be more." "I see--well, it is a rare man who can be _fidus achates_ to a handsome woman, without wishing to be more." "Still the cynic?" laughed Plater. "Very much!--it is against human nature." A little later, Parkington chanced upon Miss Marbury near the sun-dial, in the garden. "I hear that Long-Sword has escaped," she said, "and that father refused to permit a search for him, is it true?" "Yes--he said he was not going to have your house-party disturbed by chasing a pirate, who was trying his best to get away--that he has had enough of pirates." "How like father!" "Your father is a very sensible man." She gave him an appreciative look, which was not lost on him. "The way to her good opinion is to praise her father," he thought, but he did no more of it, then. Instead, he changed the subject. "You forsook me last evening," he said; "at the very first opportunity you deserted." "To the enemy? I thought I was being very loyal--Captain Herford is in his Majesty's service, you know." "It was not a question of his Majesty's service--every man is a king, at such times." "Pardon! sire, pardon!" she laughed. "I did not recognize your kingship." "That is just the reason I am complaining--you should have recognized it." "What is the penalty for treason?" she asked. "Do not make it too severe, sire." "The penalty, for this sort of treason," he said,--"and I am making it very easy--is to give me as much of your society, while I am here, as I have the courage to seek." "Have the courage to seek!" she quoted. "That may seem modest enough, but, for my part, I am of the opinion that you are not wanting in courage--in fact----" "Yes," he said. "In fact----?"