“Once, sir, you were guilty of a deceit,” said Washington, sternly, “and the present conditions are enough similar to make me suspicious.  Are you certain that the fact that Miss Meredith’s happiness is concerned in this officer’s fate, has had nothing to do with the quality you have given to his status?”

Despite the tan, General Brereton’s cheeks paled.  “My God, your Excellency!” he burst out.  “It has been one long struggle from the moment I found him my prisoner, until my report was safe in your hands not to—­not to send him to the gallows, as I could by mere silence so easily have done.  That I reported so promptly was due to the fact that I dared not delay, lest the temptation should become too strong.”

Washington’s eye had never left Brereton during his outbreak, and at the end he said:  “You will remain at headquarters, and report to me again, sir, in half an hour, after I have duly considered the facts.”

Making no reply, Jack saluted, and passed out of the room.  As he reached the doorway, Janice, who had risen, said: 

“I pray you, General Brereton, to forgive me the grave wrong I have just done you in both thought and speech.”

Silently Jack bowed, and closed the door.

“I should think thee ’d be well ashamed of thyself; miss,” declared Mrs. Washington, fretfully.

“I am, Lady Washington,” replied the girl, humbly, “but believe me, that wrong as I was in this instance, I am not so wholly to blame as I seem, for one example of General Brereton’s temper which he gave me, proves that he can carry his resentment to all lengths, and

“And is it because the man has a temper that you have slighted his suit?” interrupted the matron, peevishly.  “Child, child, don’t you know that every man that is worth his salt has a warm constitution?  Why, the tales and warnings that were brought to me of the general’s choleric nature when he was wooing me were enough to fright any woman.  And true they were, for once roused, his wrath is terrible.  Yet to me he has ever been the kindest and most amiable of husbands.”

Washington smiled, as he said, “Miss Janice will know who deserves the credit for that.  But my wife is right.  A man is not apt to vent his wrath on the woman he loves, unless she gives him extreme cause.”

“Bitter cause we gave to General Brereton, I own, but—­ but I can never think that had he truly loved me he would have refused his aid in our extremity.”

“Refused thee aid!” snapped Jack’s partisan.  “Has he done anything but help thee in every way he could?  Who was it brought thy poor mother off that dreadful ship?  Who was it has teased General Lafayette with such unending favours for thee, that the marquis asked me what was the source of General Brereton’s interest in one Mr. Meredith?  Who only last week wrote me a letter that would have melted a stone—­anything, I believe, but thy heart—­begging me to offer thee a home, that thou might’st escape the tavern discomfort and crowd?  I declare, thy ingratitude nigh makes me regret my having wasted any liking upon thee.”