“Alas!  I might have foreseen this consequence,” I exclaimed.  “Nor do I blame you, Patty.”

“But my father has explained all,” Patty continued, brightening.  “His admiration for you is increased tenfold, Richard.  Your grandfather told him of the rector’s treachery, which he says is sufficient to make him turn Methodist or Lutheran.  We went to the curate’s service to-day.  And —­will you hear more, sir?  Or do your ears burn?  That patriots and loyalists are singing your praises from Town Gate to the dock, and regretting that you did not kill that detestable Captain Collinson—­but I have something else, and of more importance, to tell you, Richard,” she continued, lowering her voice.

“What Mr. Carroll had told me stunned me like a blow, such had been my faith in you.  And when Mr. Allen moved off, I stood talking to Percy Singleton and his Lordship without understanding a word of the conversation.  I could scarce have been in my right mind.  It was not your going over to the other side that pained me so, for all your people are Tories.  But I had rather seen you dead than a pretender and a hypocrite, selling yourself for an inheritance.  Then you came.  My natural impulse should have been to draw you aside and there accuse you.  But this was beyond my strength.  And when I saw you go away without a word I knew that I had been unjust.  I could have wept before them all.  Mr. Carroll went for his coach, and was a full half an hour in getting it.  But this is what I would tell you in particular, Richard.  I have not spoken of it to a soul, and it troubles me above all else:  While Maria was getting my cardinal I heard voices on the other side of the dressing-room door.  The supper-room is next, you know.  I listened, and recognized the rector’s deep tones:  ’He has gone to the Coffee House,’ he was saying; Collinson declares that his Lordship is our man, if we can but contrive it.  He is the best foil in the service, and was taught by—­there!  I have forgot the name.”

“Angelo!” I cried.

“Yes, yes, Angelo it was.  How did you know?” she demanded, rising in her excitement.

“Angelo is the great fencing-master of London,” I replied.

“When I heard that,” she said, “I had no doubt of your innocence.  I ran out into the assembly room as I was, in my hood, and tried to find Tom.  But he—­” She paused, ashamed.

“Yes, I know,” I said hurriedly; “you could not find him.”

She glanced at me in gratitude.

“How everybody stared at me!  But little I cared!  ’Twas that gave rise to Mr. Green’s report.  I thought of Percy Singleton, and stopped him in the midst of a dance to bid him run as fast as his legs would carry him to the Coffee House, and to see that no harm befell you.  ’I shall hold you responsible for Richard,’ I whispered.  ’You must get him away from Mr. Claude’s, or I shall never speak to you again.’  He did not wait to ask questions, but went at once, like