“’Washington is like his people.  He turns from all the loves of this world to obey the call of duty.  My young friend who has so well presented the look and manner of Washington will now show you his spirit.’

“He looked at his watch and added: 

“’Within forty minutes he will be riding post to Boulogne, there to take ship for America.’

“So here I am on the ship L’Etoile and almost in sight of Boston harbor, bringing help and comfort to our great Chief.

“I was presented to the King and Queen.  Of him I have written—­a stout, fat-faced man, highly colored, with a sloping forehead and large gray eyes.  His coat shone with gold embroidery and jeweled stars.  His close-fitting waistcoat of milk white satin had golden buttons and a curve which was not the only sign he bore of rich wine and good capon.  The queen was a beautiful, dark-haired lady of some forty years, with a noble and gracious countenance.  She was clad in no vesture of gold, but in sober black velvet.  Her curls fell upon the loose ruff of lace around her neck.  There were no jewels on or about her bare, white bosom.  Her smile and gentle voice, when she gave me her bon-voyage and best wishes for the cause so dear to us, are jewels I shall not soon forget.

“Yes, I had a little talk with Margaret and her mother, who walked with me to Franklin’s house.  There, in his reception room, I took a good look at the dear girl, now more beautiful than ever, and held her to my heart a moment.

“‘I see you and then I have to go,’ I said.

“‘It is the fault of my too romantic soul,’ she answered mournfully.  ‘For two days we have been in hiding here.  I wanted to surprise you.’

“And this protest came involuntarily from my lips: 

“’Here now is the happiness for which I have longed, and yet forthwith I must leave it.  What a mystery is the spirit of man!’

“’When it is linked to the spirit of God it ceases to understand itself,’ she answered.  ’Oh, that I had the will for sacrifice which is in you!’

“She lifted the jeweled cross I wore to her lips and kissed it.  I wish that I could tell you how beautiful she looked then.  She is twenty-six years old and her womanhood is beginning.

“‘Now you may go,’ she said.  ’My heart goes with you, but I fear that we shall not meet again.’

“‘Why ?’ was my question.

“‘I am utterly discouraged.’

“‘You can not expect her to wait for you any longer.  It is not fair,’ said her mother.

“‘Margaret, I do not ask you to wait,’ I said.  ’I am not quite a human being.  I seem to have no time for that.  I am of the army of God.  I shall not expect you to wait.’

“So it befell that the stern, strong hand of a soldier’s duty drew me from her presence almost as soon as we had met I kissed her and left her weeping, for there was need of haste.  Soon I was galloping out of Passy on my way to the land I love.  I try not to think of her, but how can I put out of mind the pathos of that moment?  Whenever I close my eyes I see her beautiful figure sitting with bowed head in the twilight.”