When these two social forces had met and were joined in matrimony, an abject imitation was made of the husband, and a tyrannical boaster of the wife.
CHAPTER XXVIII
Leaving his wife’s chamber, Arnold went to the office of Roderick Barclugh.
He was smarting under the findings of the court-martial at Morristown, and under the monetary demands of a gay and ambitious wife. He had proposed to resign his commission in the army and settle upon an estate in the wilds of Western New York, and let history right the wrongs that had been heaped upon him, but the ambition of his wife intervened again. Her love of social distinction would not allow her to consent to a home in the wilderness. What a glorious record of heroism was thus turned into the wormwood of infamy!
Desperation was written on his face when Arnold reached the office of Roderick Barclugh, who shook the General’s hand, saying:
“I hope, General Arnold, that you do not think seriously of my heated discourse toward you yesterday, for I was weary and suffering from my wound. I was then ill-humored and out of patience. Anything that I can do to relieve your financial difficulties, you may command of me.”
This unexpected liberality on the part of Barclugh now won the heart of Arnold. The ointment for a wounded spirit was in these words.
Arnold sat down and smiled as he rubbed his hands and began to relate confidingly to Barclugh: