Chapter II: Foreword

I have endeavored to tell an old story in a modern fashion. Wherein I have failed, I beg indulgence; wherein I have succeeded, even a little, I have to thank the Spirit of the Past, which still lingers in the ancient capital and its environs.

To Mrs. Story, the present owner, who graciously permitted me to inspect Whitehall; to Mrs. Dugan, Prudence R.--a direct descendant of John Ridout, the Commissary-General--who gave me much information concerning Governor Sharpe; and to Miss Shaffer, the State Librarian, in whose charge are the _Maryland Gazettes_ of the period, as well as to the _Gazettes_ themselves, I wish to express my sincere appreciation.

J. R. S.

GETTYSBURG, PENNA., 6 June '10.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE
I.--THE GOVERNOR'S NIECE 13

II.--SIR EDWARD PARKINGTON 24

III.--THE RACES 33

IV.--THE MARBURYS 46

V.--HEDGELY HALL AND MARBURY, SENIOR 59

VI.--THE MISTAKE 73

VII.--SIR EDWARD LAYS PLANS 88

VIII.--THE MEANING OF A SHRUG 104

IX.--THE SURPRISE 122

X.--THE DEFEAT 141

XI.--THE KEY 160

XII.--MAYNADIER'S DREAM 178

XIII.--THE CAMPAIGNS 196

XIV.--GUILTY AND NOT GUILTY 212

XV.--LONG-SWORD AGAIN 233

XVI.--THE CRESCENT AND THE STAR 253

XVII.--A LETTER AND A CONFESSION 271

XVIII.--THE BROKEN RENDEZVOUS 289

XIX.--ARRAIGNED 304

XX.--THE PENALTY OF A BIRTH-MARK 320

ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE "MISS STIRLING, IS SIR EDWARD DANGEROUS, AS WELL AS FASCINATING, OR SIMPLY FASCINATING?" ASKED MISS MARBURY _Frontispiece_

"IT IS A QUEER TRADE, MONSIEUR, THIS OF A PIRATE," HE SAID 144

"WHAT WERE YOU AND SIR EDWARD TALKING ABOUT LAST NIGHT?" HE ASKED 306

THE IMPOSTOR