“I brought it from the inlet on the Jersey coast. It came from New York by sloop,” answered the man, who was one of the fishermen Barclugh had employed when he fled.
“None whatever. I was charged to deliver it into the hands of Miss Mollie Greydon. I have done so and my duty ends. Good day. I must return,” was the short and unceremonious message of the boatman and he left as mysteriously as he came.
But here it was, the word from Roderick Barclugh at last: A large package emblazoned with a crest and the motto standing out in strong contrast:
“Post Nubes Lux”
Mollie opened it with nervous hand and she gazed at the bold handwriting of Roderick Barclugh with an anxious face.
Devon Court, Devonshire,
August 17, 178—“My dear Madam:
“True to my pledge to your honored father I have changed my attitude toward the Colonies. Mostly from your precious lips I have learned to love your country and the principles that they are struggling to maintain. I am happy to inform you that the Colonies will very soon be free and independent States. The report that I have made to my superiors is enclosed and the conclusion has been made according to the information in my report that a war of extermination is impracticable and that England will honor the Colonies to establish which she has contributed the best blood in her realm and will wish them Godspeed.
“Now as to my part in the unfortunate drama of Arnold’s treason I can only say: ‘Forget it and forgive me.’
“If it had succeeded my only desire was to share with you the honors that I might have claimed.
“My dear Madam, I love you with all my soul. Your affection is more to me than my country, my title, or even my life. If you would only consent to be my wife I will go whithersoever thou sayest or do whatsoever thou biddest. Be mine and we will be forever happy.
“Since my return to England my older brother has died and the title has fallen to me. My fortune is now ample and we can live quietly on our estates. The world has little to attract me outside of domestic happiness.
“With the sentiments that I have always held in my heart, and which no worldly conditions can change, believe me to be
“With sentiments of my tenderest love, your faithful and obedient servant,
“Roderick Barclugh.
“Miss Mollie Greydon,
Dorminghurst, Penn., N. A.”
As the motto on Barclugh’s seal says, “After darkness there is light,” so Mollie read and re-read his sweet words with increasing delight. Her soul was athirst for what he said. But what would papa say?
After many family councils in the Doctor’s office, at last Doctor Greydon gave his consent under one condition, which was: that Roderick Barclugh would come to America and take the ups and downs of a common American and rear his family as free American citizens.
Mollie wrote her lover after she had time to consider the meaning of it all, as follows: