"I would not speak of it as treason," I said; "it seems to me to be in accord with nature that you, who are an American, should feel sympathy for the Americans."
"Then," she replied, "it is you who have treasonable thoughts, and not I."
"I trust I may never falter in doing my duty," I said.
"I trust I may not do so either," she said.
"Then," I exclaimed, flinging away reserve and caution, "why play this part any longer?"
"What part?" she asked, her eyes still unfathomable.
"This pretence of Toryism," I cried. "This pretence which we both know to be so unreal. Do I not know that you are a patriot, the noblest of patriots? Do I not honor you for it? Do I not remember every second of our desperate ride together, and glory in the remembrance?"
I paused, for I am not accustomed to making high speeches, even when under the influence of strong emotion.
Her eyes wavered, for the first time, and the red flush swept over her face. But she recovered herself quickly.
"Then say nothing about it, if you would serve me," she said, and rising abruptly she went into the house.