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Yet however greatly I mourn the error for your sake, for my own it is somewhat balanced by the pleasure you have afforded me by your company. Indeed, 't is with a certain regret that I received Colonel Brereton's report, which, by completely exonerating Mr. Meredith, is like to deprive us of your presence." "Your Excellency is over-kind," replied Mrs.
Master Levin, if you fall into his path, Brereton's daughter may be bestowed on you. Hola! behold her in Hulda." "I can't see any of that sin in Hulda, Captain; she ain't even ashamed." "No," affirmed Hulda, looking sincerely at Van Dorn; "it is too true to make me ashamed. I feel as if God's hand covered me like the silver dollar under my father's foot, because he let me survive such parents."
"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.
"Ah, Miss Meredith, dark as it is above, I could pick you from a thousand by Colonel Brereton's description. I was beginning to fear some misfortune had overtaken you. I am Captain McLane of the light horse. You can descend without fear." With a relief that was not to be measured, the two dropped the ladder into place and descended. "Is Colonel Brereton here?" asked Mrs. Meredith.
"I surrender," announced Philemon, as the soldiers came crowding on to the wharf. "Where is your commander?" "I am sorry to see you here, Hennion," said Brereton's voice. "You are the last man I wanted to take prisoner under such circumstances." "Wilt let me go to my father?" steadily requested the British colonel. "I give my word not to escape."
He blew off some of the pent-up bitterness of an aching heart by writing to a friend, "But for General Brereton's damned information, I would have been living or dead, and the greatest man England ever saw, and now I am nothing and perhaps would incur censure for misfortunes which may happen and have. Oh! General Brereton! General Brereton!" This explosion was indicative of bitter disappointment.
One of them, ahead of the others, carried a bull's-eye lamp and in swinging it about revealed himself as one of the superintendent's own officers. He caught sight of his superior and came forward. "Mr. Brereton's here, sir, and some gentlemen from Norcaster," he said. "They want to see you particularly something about this place, so I brought them "
The maiden scrutinised the ground and horizon as if seeking an explanation ere she replied shyly, "'T is 't is indeed no fear of you, but you you never ask permission." The officer laughed exultingly. "Then may I put my arm about you?" he requested. "'T will make walking too difficult." "How know you that?" demanded Jack. "'T is 't is easily fancied." Brereton's free arm encircled the girl.
"Ah, your Excellency," impulsively cried the young officer, starting forward, "'t is a worthless life, which brought disgrace to mother, to father, and to self; but what it is, is yours." "Thank you, my boy," replied Washington, laying his hand affectionately on Brereton's shoulder. "As you say, 't is a time which winnows the chaff from the wheat. I thank God He has sent some wheat to me."
Hulda Brereton?" "The other Griffin also suffered death?" suggested Hulda, with a pale, unevasive countenance. "Yes, your fond grandma, then in her blazing charms, drew him to her band again with the lure of Widow Brereton's hand; he killed a constable to recommend himself the better, and died on the gallows at his native Cambridge.
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