"Touch not the chord again, I entreat you.
While my fate is uncertain, I would wish to be at peace with all men."
"Then let the uncertainty cease," cried Frances, springing to the door,
"for here comes Peyton with the joyful intelligence of your release."
The words were hardly uttered, before the door opened, and the major
entered. In his air there was the appearance of neither success nor
defeat, but there was a marked display of vexation. He took the hand
that Frances, in the fullness of her heart, extended towards him, but
instantly relinquishing it, threw himself into a chair, in
evident fatigue.
"You have failed," said Wharton, with a bound of his heart, but an
appearance of composure.
"Have you seen Harper?" cried Frances, turning pale.
"I have not. I crossed the river in one boat as he must have been coming
to this side, in another. I returned without delay, and traced him for
several miles into the Highlands, by the western pass, but there I
unaccountably lost him. I have returned here to relieve your uneasiness,
but see him I will this night, and bring a respite for Henry."
"But saw you Washington?" asked Miss Peyton.
Dunwoodie gazed at her a moment in abstracted musing, and the question
was repeated. He answered gravely, and with some reserve,--
"The commander in chief had left his quarters.
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