"Be not so melancholy," observed Arnold. "My boy, the future and the world lie before you."
"Like a yawning abyss," was the grave reply.
"Oh! spare us your terrible verdicts," cried Peggy with a smile.
"I believe that I should have crushed with my scorn the philosopher who first uttered this terrible but profoundly true thought," said Anderson. "'Prudence is the first thing to forsake the wretched!'"
"I did find a charm in my escapades. At first I tingled with fear, but I gradually laid aside that cloak of suspicion which guards safety, and stalked about naked. A despicable contempt arises from an unreserved intimacy. We grow bolder with our efforts."
Their mood was heavy; their tone morose. A sadness had settled upon them like the blanket of the night. Only the moon climbing into the heavens radiated glory.
"Come! Away with those dismal topics!" exclaimed the General. "This is the time for rejoicing."
"I, too, should be happy, but I fear, alas, I am not. My people give me no peace."
"Why not render your country a lasting service?"
"By performing a heroic deed that will once for all put an end to this unseemly conflict."
"Never! I have been shattered twice for my efforts. I am done with active field duty."
"I do not think of that," Anderson assured him.
"You know that the mother country had already offered conciliation. The colonies shall have an American Parliament composed of two chambers; all the members to be Americans by birth, and those of the upper chamber to have the same title, the same rank, as those of the House of Lords in England."
"What? A Marquis of Pennsylvania, a Duke of Massachusetts Bay?" he laughed aloud at this.
"No less fitting than the Duke of Albemarle."
"Why do you mention him?" Arnold inquired immediately. A thought flashed before his mind. Had Peggy and this man conversed on that point?
"As I was saying, all laws, and especially tax laws, shall be the work of this legislature, with the signature of the Viceroy. They shall enjoy in every relation the advantage of the best government. They shall, if necessary, be supported by all the naval and military force of England, without being exposed to the dangers or subjected to the taxes from which such a military state is inseparable."