“It is Greek to me,” I answered. “What does it mean?”
“You suggested it yourself. Bellamont has decided to fortify Albany, and is going to send off three of the city companies to-morrow or next day.”
“What has Lady Marmaduke to do with it? Why does she want the troops stopped?”
“Have you not heard the rumors? Some people here in the city believe that there is danger from a French fleet. They have not forgotten how helpless Stuyvesant was in '64. I tell you, St. Vincent, there is no danger from the sea. Frontenac is the man to fear. I would wager my estate he is coming through the wilderness, and has set these notions in the air himself to keep attention off from Albany. He is a shrewd old fox, and if the troops are stopped we shall get a message down the river soon: likely as not the county’s greeting and news that Fort Orange is taken.”
“If all this is true why should Lady Marmaduke oppose it?”
“Because she is a fool. She believes the gossip of the street. She has already tried to convince the Earl. But he has more sense. I hate him, but, I declare, he demands respect in this.”
We had reached the patroon’s door by this time, and the clerk who had signed the note came out to meet him.
“When does the Assembly adjourn?” asked the patroon aloud, after a short whispered consultation.
“They have moved to adjourn for a week at noon to-day.”
“Can Lady Marmaduke sway them to her wishes?”