When Ferguson drew up at Lytle's door, Lytle had already made his escape; but Mrs.Lytle was there.

She was a very handsome woman and she had dressed herself in her best to receive Ferguson, who was reported a gallant as well as a wolf.
After a few spirited passages between the lady in the doorway and the officer on the white horse before it, the latter advised Mrs.Lytle to use her influence to bring her husband back to his duty.

She became grave then and answered that her husband would never turn traitor to his country.

Ferguson frowned at the word "traitor," but presently he said: "Madam, I admire you as the handsomest woman I have seen in North Carolina.

I even half way admire your zeal in a bad cause.