"Mr. Renault?" he asked, raising his voice and eyebrows a trifle; and I think I never saw such a careless, laughing, well-bred countenance in which were set two eyes as shrewdly wise as the eyes of this young man.
"I am Mr. Renault," I said amiably, smiling at the mirth which twitched the gravity he struggled to assume.
"Colonel Hamilton of his Excellency's family," he said, making as elegant a bow as I ever had the honor to attempt to match.
We were very ceremonious, bowing repeatedly as we seated ourselves, he lifting his sword and laying it across his knees. And I admired his hat, which was new and smartly laced, and cocked in the most fashionable manner--which small details carry some weight with me, I distrusting men whose dress is slovenly from indifference and not from penury. His Excellency was ever faultless in attire; and I remember that he wrote in general orders on New Year's day in '76: "If a soldier can not be induced to take pride in his person, he will soon become a sloven and indifferent to everything."
"Mr. Renault," began Colonel Hamilton, "his Excellency has your letters. He regrets that a certain sphere of usefulness is now closed to you through your own rashness."
I reddened, bowing.
"It appears, however," continued Colonel Hamilton placidly, "that your estimate of yourself is too humble. His Excellency thanks you, applauds your modesty and faithfulness in the most trying service a gentleman can render to his country, and desires me to express the same----"
He rose and bowed. I was on my feet, confused, amazed, tingling with pleasure.
"His Excellency said--that!" I repeated incredulously.
"Indeed he did, Mr. Renault, and he regrets that--ahem--under the circumstances--it is not advisable to publicly acknowledge your four years' service--not even privately, Mr. Renault--you understand that such services as yours must be, in a great measure, their own reward. Yet I know that his Excellency hesitated a long while to send me with this verbal message, so keenly did he desire to receive you, so grateful is he for the service rendered."
I was quite giddy with delight now. Never, never had I imagined that the Commander-in-Chief could single me out for such generous praise--me, a man who had lent himself to a work abhorrent--a work taken up only because there was none better fitted to accomplish a thing that all shrank from.
Seated once more, I looked up to see Colonel Hamilton regarding me with decorous amusement.
"It may interest you, Mr. Renault, to know what certain British agents reported to Sir Henry Clinton concerning you."
"What did they say?" I asked curiously.