"Well, he appeared against me. After a few more preliminary questions I was put on the stand in my own defense. I told briefly the circumstances which led to the incident (I would not call it an assault, for I continually maintained it to be of a trivial nature and worthy only of an explanation). I told how the Colonel had used certain derogatory remarks against the faith that I believed and practiced, which occasioned a violent argument. This, I think, was the great mistake I made, for it appeared to make an unfavorable impression upon the Court. In this respect they were unquestionably on the side of Forrest. Then I related the remark incident to my action, and announced that I would repeat the deed under similar circumstances were the same disrespectful language directed against the Commander-in-chief. This, I fear, made little impression either since I was already attached to the staff of General Washington. And a jealous rival general was about to decide my guilt. That ended it. I was excused and the Court adjourned." He paused. "For these reasons I have serious misgivings as to my fate." "What can happen to you?" "I do not know. It may result in a suspension, and it may result in a verdict of 'not guilty.'" "Will you know very soon?" "I shall be summoned before them." Neither spoke for a time. "Do you know," observed Marjorie, "I greatly mistrust General Arnold and I fear that he already has decided against you." "What causes you to say that?" "Well ... I don't know ... I just think it. While listening to him last evening I drew that impression." "Did he say anything against us?" "He is enraged at Congress and he has long felt persecuted and insulted by the people. He desires a command in the navy and has already written Washington to that effect; and again he would petition Congress for a grant of land in New York where he would retire to private life, for he vows he never will again draw sword on the American side." "Did he say this?" asked Stephen. "He did." "Do you think that he was sincere?" "I really do. He talked with all the earnestness of a man of conviction. Somehow or other I greatly mistrust him. And he is extremely bigoted." "I rather suspect this, although I have had no proofs of it. If he is, it will out very soon." "And you may be assured, too, that he will have an able adjutant in Peggy. She is his counterpart in every particular." He looked at her as she spoke, and was amazed by the excitement in her face. She talked excitedly; her eyes, those large vivacious brown eyes that looked out of her pretty oval face, were alight, and her face had gone pale. "I was interested in them last evening and with the apparent zeal displayed by Peggy's mother in favor of the match. I would not be surprised to hear of an announcement from that source at any time." "Has it reached that stage?" "Most assuredly! I decided that they already are on terms of intimacy where secrets now obtain a common value."