“Why I believe in Strides’ sinister views is more than I may be able to explain to you, in words, Bob,” she replied, after a moment’s thought; “still, I do believe in them as firmly as I believe in my existence.  His looks, his questions, his journeys, and an occasional remark, have all aided in influencing the belief; nevertheless, no one proof may be perfectly clear and satisfactory.  Why you should be the subject of his plans, however, is simple enough, since you are the only one among us he can seriously injure.  By betraying you, he might gain some great advantage to himself.”

“To whom can he betray me, dear?  My father is the only person here, in any authority, and of him I have no cause to be afraid.”

“Yet, you were so far alarmed when last here, as to change your route back to Boston.  If there were cause for apprehension then, the same reason may now exist.”

“That was when many strangers were in the valley, and we knew not exactly where we stood.  I have submitted to your wishes, however, Maud, and shall lie perdu, until there is a serious alarm; then it is understood I am to be permitted to show myself.  In a moment of emergency my unexpected appearance among the men might have a dramatic effect, and, of itself, give us a victory.  But tell me of my prospects—­am I likely to succeed with my father?  Will he be brought over to the royal cause?”

“I think not.  All common inducements are lost on him.  His baronetcy, for instance, he will never assume; that, therefore, cannot entice him.  Then his feelings are with his adopted country, which he thinks right, and which he is much disposed to maintain; more particularly since Beulah’s marriage, and our late intercourse with all that set.  My mother’s family, too, has much influence with him.  They, you know, are all whigs.”

“Don’t prostitute the name, Maud.  Whig does not mean rebel; these misguided men are neither more nor less than rebels.  I had thought this declaration of independence would have brought my father at once to our side.”

“I can see it has disturbed him, as did the Battle of Bunker’s Hill.  But he will reflect a few days, and decide now, as he did then, in favour of the Americans.  He has English partialities, Bob, as is natural to one born in that country; but, on this point, his mind is very strongly American.”

“The accursed Knoll has done this!  Had he lived in society, as he ought to have done, among his equals and the educated, we should now see him at the head—­Maud, I know I can confide in you.”

Maud was pleased at this expression of confidence, and she looked up in the major’s face, her full blue eyes expressing no small portion of the heartfelt satisfaction she experienced.  Still, she said nothing.