"A retreat?" exploded Mr. Allison. "What for?" "I do not know, but that was the report. Lee retreated when Washington arrived on the scene," continued Marjorie. "And then?" "He rallied the troops to another front and began the attack anew, driving the British back a considerable distance. Nightfall ended the battle, and when day broke, Clinton had withdrawn." "And Lee ordered a retreat!" exclaimed Mr. Allison. "A damned poltroon!" "All say the same. The crowd was furious upon hearing the message, although some thought it too incredible. The joy of victory, however, made them forget the disgraceful part." "My faith in him has never faltered," quietly observed Mrs. Allison, as she prepared to resume the knitting from which she had ceased on the sudden entry of Marjorie. "And his pretended friends must now croak forth his praises," rejoined her husband. "There were shouts and cheers," continued Marjorie, "as the news was being announced. Each newcomer would add another detail to the story with beaming delight. All said that the retreat from the city and the defeat of the British augured a speedy termination of the war. The country is wholly united again under General Washington." "And what will become of Lee?" asked the father. "The traitor!" snapped Marjorie. "They ought to court-martial him. The crowd greeted his name with hisses when the details began to impress themselves upon them. I dare say, he has few friends in the city tonight, expect perhaps among the Tories. He is a disgrace to the uniform he wears." "Undoubtedly, the losses were heavy." "No one seemed to know. The minor details of the engagement are still unknown. They will come later. The consoling feature is that the enemy were compelled to withdraw, which would indicate that they were worsted. The remnants, I suppose, will concentrate at New York. There will occur the next great battle." "God grant that it will soon be over," exclaimed Mrs. Allison. "And now, daughter, have you more news?" asked her father. "Oh, yes! General Arnold is going to give a ball at the City Tavern on the Fourth of July to the officers of the French Army. It will be under the auspices of the American officers of Washington's command and in honor of the loyal ladies who had withheld from the Mischienza. And I have been invited to attend." "I should think that we have had enough of social life here during the past winter," quietly announced the father. "Well," replied Marjorie, "this affair is to exclude all who participated in the English Army festivities. Only Americans will be present." "How did you come by this report?" asked her mother. "Peggy Shippen. I stopped there for a short time. They told me of the proposed invitation and that I was included." "How came they by the news?" "I suppose General Arnold told them." "Is he acquainted with them? I wonder----" "Yes. They were presented to him, and he has already honored them with his visit."