He believed now that St.Luc had come to Williamsburg to discover the size and preparations of the American force and its plan, and Robert felt that he must have him seized if he could.

He would be wanting in his patriotism and duty if he failed to do so.

He must sink all his liking for St.Luc, and make every effort to secure his capture.
But there was a sudden murmur that grew into a deep hum of expectation, punctuated now and then by shouts: "Blenheim!" "Cressy!" "Cabell!" "Stuart!" Horses and horsemen alike seemed to have their partisans in about equal numbers.

Ladies rose to their feet, and waved bright fans, and men gave suggestions to those on whom they had laid their money.
The race, for a space, crowded St.Luc wholly out of Robert's mind.

Stuart and Cabell, each dressed very neatly in jockey attire, came out and mounted their horses, which the grooms had been leading back and forth.