He will be reproached for the supposed crime of his son.
Look at those helpless sisters that I leave behind me without a
protector. Prove to me that you love us all. Let the clergyman whom you
will bring with you, unite you this night to Frances, and become at
once, brother, son, and husband."_
The paper fell from the hands of Frances, and she endeavored to raise
her eyes to the face of Dunwoodie, but they sank abashed to the floor.
"Am I worthy of this confidence? Will you send me out this night, to
meet my own brother? or will it be the officer of Congress in quest of
the officer of Britain?"
"And would you do less of your duty because I am your wife, Major
Dunwoodie? In what degree would it better the condition of Henry?"
"Henry, I repeat, is safe. The word of Harper is his guarantee; but I
will show the world a bridegroom," continued the youth, perhaps
deceiving himself a little, "who is equal to the duty of arresting the
brother of his bride."
"And will the world comprehend this refinement?" said Frances, with a
musing air, that lighted a thousand hopes in the bosom of her lover. In
fact, the temptation was mighty. Indeed, there seemed no other way to
detain Dunwoodie until the fatal hour had elapsed. The words of Harper
himself, who had so lately told her that openly he could do but little
for Henry, and that everything depended upon gaining time, were deeply
engraved upon her memory.
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