204 THE WIFE OF BENEDICT ARNOLD. The scenes which occurred at West Point during those momentous days are too well known to require repetition here. Let us merely recall those in which Mrs. Arnold so unhappily figured. It so chanced, as the reader is aware, that General Washington was then upon his way to meet Count de Rochambeau at West Point. He and his suite were nearing this place in the early morning, when he paused, and turning his horse into a by-way leading to the river, was about to ride on in that direc- tion. Lafayette, who was beside him, protested, saying that word had been sent to West Point that they were coming, and it would be a pity to cause Mrs. Arnold to wait breakfast. " Ah," replied Washington, " I know you young men are all in love with Mrs. Arnold, and wish to get where she is as soon as possible. You may go and take your breakfast with her, and tell her not to wait for me. I must ride down and examine the redoubts on this side of the river, and will be there in a short time." Lafayette chose to remain with his chief. Two aides were sent on with the message, who, upon arriving, sat down to the table with General and Mrs. Arnold, and a few officers. They were still occupied with their meal when a letter was delivered to General Arnold which caused him, apparently, some slight embarrassment. He remained in his place for some minutes, continuing to sustain his part in the conversation ; then, urging the plea of business, and requesting his guests to excuse him and make themselves at home during his absence, which should be brief, he left the room. News traveled slowly in those times. Two full days had then passed since the arrest of Andre*. The letter which Arnold received was the one written by Colonel Jameson to inform him of that arrest and of the trans- mission of the fatal papers to Washington. There was obviously not a moment to be lost.
