“Certainly, if ’t is of a character that makes it allowable.”

“I’ve not sealed it, that you might read it,” answered the squire, holding out his letter.

Brereton read it slowly, as if he was thinking between the words.  “It shall be sent in at once,” he promised, his lips set as if to conceal some emotion.  Then he asked, “You write to Colonel Hennion as if—­are he and—­you intend to give Miss Meredith to him?”

“Yes.”

Jack wheeled and looked out of a window for an instant; without turning he said, “Is she—­does she—­she is willing?”

“Ay, the lass has at last found she loves him, and is as ready now as I ever was.”

Again Brereton was silent for a breathing space.  “When will they wed?” he questioned finally.

“Once we can get to York.”

“And that will be?”

“The burial of Mrs. Meredith and other matters will keep us in Brunswick for an uncertain length of time.”

“And you will lodge where?”

“At the tavern.”

“’T is no place for Miss Meredith.”

“Beggars cannot be choosers, sir.”

For a moment Brereton said nothing; then remarked as he faced about, “If I can serve you in any other way, Mr. Meredith, hesitate to ask nothing of me.”

“My thanks to ye, general,” answered Mr. Meredith, gratefully.  “I fear me I little merit courtesy at your hands.”

“’T is a peace-making time,” replied Jack, “and we’ll put the ill feeling away, as ’t is to be hoped Great Britain and our country will do, once the treaty is negotiated and ratified.”

“’T is no country I have,” rejoined the squire, sadly.  “One word, sir, and I will be gone.  I was but just told that ’t was ye who got Mrs. Meredith off the pest-ship; and if—­”

Brereton held up his hand. “’T was the Marquis who gave the order, Mr. Meredith, and the Surgeon-General who superintended the removal.”

“So I was told at the time, but I feared that I might have been misinformed.  None the less, general, I am your present debtor;” with which words the squire bowed himself out.

Left alone, Brereton stood like a stone for some minutes ere he resumed his seat.  He glanced down at the sheet, on which was written:—­

Brunswick, June 13th, 1782.  “Sir,—­After three months’ test, I can assure your Excellency that it is possible to very materially if not entirely check the illicit trade with New York, but only by the constant employment of a considerable force of men in a service at once fatiguing to them and irritating to the neighbourhood.  I would therefore suggest, in place of these purely repressive measures, that others which will at once bring to justice those most deeply concerned in the trade, and terrify by example those who are only occasionally guilty, be employed, and therefore beg to submit for your consideration the following plan of action.

Shoving the paper to one side, Brereton took a fresh sheet, and wrote a hurried letter, which, when sealed, he addressed to “Lady Washington, Headquarters at Greenwood Manor.”  This done, he finished his official letter, and going to the rows of tents on the green, he delivered the two into the hands of an officer, with an order to ride with them at once.