inquire of Major Burr, who she was, and where, on earth, he had discovered such a lovely girl.

"A Miss Moncrieffe," was the reply; "daughter of a British officer, now camped on Staten Island; and for the present, a member of General Putnam's family."

"Burr, bring her to our ball to-morrow night; she will be the brightest star there. Do, that's a good fellow! You know we're awfully short of pretty girls, and the whole corps will send you a vote of thanks.”

"I am sure I shall be proud to escort her," said the young aid, laughing, "but some of your dashing youngsters will be losing their hearts. She is as witty and polished as she is beautiful, but she is an awful little Royalist."

"Royalist be hanged! She's a woman, and a pretty one, at that; so bring her along, and if she insists upon it, she shall drink the king's health; we are not fighting with women. The general's daughters are coming; two of our fellows engaged them a week ago. So do you bring your little Tory; will you,

Burr ?"

"If she will come, surely, and with pleasure; but I warn you, she will speak just as she thinks."

"Let her speak what she chooses, so long as she looks so sweetly on me, as she did— Faith, no, I won't finish that sentence. Burr, you are a lucky dog; I wish I was old Put's aid for a little while."

"Well, give me your commission, colonel," said the

major, laughing, "and you may have mine, and my position with it.”

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'What, and your chances with the handsome little Tory?"

"Of course! I want more active service," replied the major, for he could not say anything else without committing himself; though, as he spoke, his heart smote him for allowing Margaret to be spoken of in such a trifling manner, and he turned away to conceal the flush which had been called to his cheeks by this conversation.

THE threatened invasion of the British, by land and sea, concerning which rumors had been flying thick and fast for many weeks, had driven from the city most of the best families, and, in consequence, the wives of the generals and other officers quartered there were constrained to rely on each other for society and such amusement as they could invent, for the time passed heavily on them.

Among the troops quartered in the city, were four battalions of troops from Pennsylvania, commanded by Colonels Shee, McGaw, St. Clair, and Wayne, and officered by scions of the most wealthy and aristocratic families of the commonwealth. They had joined the army from motives of the purest patriotism, and without a thought as to any merely personal benefit, save such as might accrue to the whole country from a recognition of its independence from Great Britain.

While, therefore, ever ready for any duty, and equally ready to meet any foe, they felt that the time could be passed much more pleasantly than by watching and waiting for an enemy. They had accordingly

arranged a series of balls and entertainments, which were given alternately at the head-quarters of the dif ferent colonels, who were all men of high position and large wealth, and every lady in the city was anxious to be invited on those occasions.

The generals, anxious to propitiate the troops from every section, made it a point of honor to attend each ball or party with their families, and these weekly reunions were looked upon by all as a most agreeable means of dispelling the ennui attendant upon garrison life.

It was to the ball given by Colonel Shee to which Major Burr had been requested to invite Margaret, an invitation which she accepted most joyfully, for when she heard the general's daughters talking about it, and saw them arranging the little details of their modest toilettes for the occasion, she had wished that she might not be left alone. The invitation, therefore, from him whom her heart acknowledged as its master, was joyfully accepted, and her pleasure was heightened by the fact that he was to be her escort.

Colonel Shee, at that period, occupied a large mansion on Broadway, near the spot where the Astor House now stands. The lower part of the building, on this occasion, was devoted to dancing, the second floor to card-playing and the punch-room-and without an attempt at going into details, it is sufficient to say that everything which lavish expenditure could pro

cure, in view of the means at hand, for luxuries were rather rare, was provided to contribute to the pleasure of the guests.

The entrance of Margaret, leaning on the arm of her handsome escort, who was dressed in full uniform, was greeted with a buzz of admiration from the gentlemen (for Colonel Shee had boasted so much of her beauty, every one was anxious to test his judgment by his own standard) and by looks of jealousy from the ladies, for she was incomparably the most lovely woman or girl in the room.

Robed in simple white, without one single ornament, her glossy hair flowing in graceful ringlets over her snowy neck and shoulders, her countenance faultlessly beautiful, animated as well by the scene as by the presence of him to whom she had given her first affections, she might well challenge the admiration which she commanded.

Colonel Shee was among the first to notice her entrance, and apologizing to a group of ladies with whom he had been conversing, he hurried toward the youthful couple on whom all eyes were directed. The formality of an introduction was soon accomplished, and offering his arm, the colonel gallantly said:

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Major, you must allow me to rob you of your fair charge for a short time, so many are anxious to know her, and I claim, as host, the privilege of presenting her. Allow me the honor, Miss Moncrieffe," and he