"I have the right to question the composition of the court!"
"What matter! You know the people detest you. They have hated you from the moment you set foot in this city. Every issue of the paper found some new grievance against you. And when you married me the bomb was exploded. You yourself know that it was the mere fact of your participation in this scheme that quelled it. They loathe you, I tell you. They hate you."
Silence reigned in the room as she finished. His eyes were closed and he gave every appearance of having fallen into a deep sleep. His mind was keenly alert, however, and digested every word she uttered. At length he arose from his composure and limped to the window at the further end of the room.
"I shall ask for a new command," he said quietly, "and we shall be removed for all time from this accursed place. I shall do service again."
"Better to await developments. Attend to your trial first. Plan for the future later."
"I shall obey the wishes of the people."
"The people! A motley collection of fools! They have eyes and ears but no more. They know everything and can do nothing."
"I don't know what to do. I...."
"I told you what to do," she interrupted his thought and finished it for him. "I told you to join Anderson. I told you to go to New York and make overtures to General Clinton. That's what you should do. Seek respect and power and honor for your old age."
"That I shall not do. Washington loves me and my people will not desert me to my enemies. The court-martial is the thing."