The Spy | Page 8

internal innocence and peace. There was much of that feminine
delicacy in the appearance of the three, which distinguishes the sex in
this country; and, like the gentleman, their demeanor proved them to be
women of the higher order of life.
After handing a glass of excellent Madeira to his guest, Mr. Wharton,
for so was the owner of this retired estate called, resumed his seat by
the fire, with another in his own hand. For a moment he paused, as if
debating with his politeness, but at length threw an inquiring glance on
the stranger, as he inquired,--
"To whose health am I to have the honor of drinking?"
The traveler had also seated himself, and he sat unconsciously gazing
on the fire, while Mr. Wharton spoke; turning his eyes slowly on his
host with a look of close observation, he replied, while a faint tinge
gathered on his features,--
"Mr. Harper."

"Mr. Harper," resumed the other, with the formal precision of that day,
"I have the honor to drink your health, and to hope you will sustain no
injury from the rain to which you have been exposed."
Mr. Harper bowed in silence to the compliment, and he soon resumed
the meditations from which he had been interrupted, and for which the
long ride he had that day made, in the wind, might seem a very natural
apology.
The young ladies had again taken their seats beside the workstand,
while their aunt, Miss Jeanette Peyton, withdrew to superintend the
preparations necessary to appease the hunger of their unexpected visitor.
A short silence prevailed, during which Mr. Harper was apparently
enjoying the change in his situation, when Mr. Wharton again broke it,
by inquiring whether smoke was disagreeable to his companion; to
which, receiving an answer in the negative, he immediately resumed
the pipe which had been laid aside at the entrance of the traveler.
There was an evident desire on the part of the host to enter into
conversation, but either from an apprehension of treading on dangerous
ground, or an unwillingness to intrude upon the rather studied
taciturnity of his guest, he several times hesitated, before he could
venture to make any further remark. At length, a movement from Mr.
Harper, as he raised his eyes to the party in the room, encouraged him
to proceed.
"I find it very difficult," said Mr. Wharton, cautiously avoiding at first,
such subjects as he wished to introduce, "to procure that quality of
tobacco for my evenings' amusement to which I have been
accustomed."
"I should think the shops in New York might furnish the best in the
country," calmly rejoined the other.
"Why--yes," returned the host in rather a hesitating manner, lifting his
eyes to the face of Harper, and lowering them quickly under his steady
look, "there must be plenty in town; but the war has made
communication with the city, however innocent, too dangerous to be

risked for so trifling an article as tobacco."
The box from which Mr. Wharton had just taken a supply for his pipe
was lying open, within a few inches of the elbow of Harper, who took a
small quantity from its contents, and applied it to his tongue, in a
manner perfectly natural, but one that filled his companion with alarm.
Without, however, observing that the quality was of the most approved
kind, the traveler relieved his host by relapsing again into his
meditations. Mr. Wharton now felt unwilling to lose the advantage he
had gained, and, making an effort of more than usual vigor, he
continued,--
"I wish from the bottom of my heart, this unnatural struggle was over,
that we might again meet our friends and relatives in peace and love."
"It is much to be desired," said Harper, emphatically, again raising his
eyes to the countenance of his host.
"I hear of no movement of consequence, since the arrival of our new
allies," said Mr. Wharton, shaking the ashes from his pipe, and turning
his back to the other under the pretense of receiving a coal from his
youngest daughter.
"None have yet reached the public, I believe."
"Is it thought any important steps are about to be taken?" continued Mr.
Wharton, still occupied with his daughter, yet suspending his
employment, in expectation of a reply.
"Is it intimated any are in agitation?"
"Oh! nothing in particular; but it is natural to expect some new
enterprise from so powerful a force as that under Rochambeau."
Harper made an assenting inclination with his head, but no other reply,
to this remark; while Mr. Wharton, after lighting his pipe, resumed the
subject.

"They appear more active in the south; Gates and Cornwallis seem
willing to bring the war to an issue there."
The brow of Harper contracted, and a deeper shade of melancholy