20(3 THE WIFE OP BENEDICT ARNOLD. soon left her to her grief, and withdrew to the dining- room to discuss further measures. They were still seated at the table when two letters from Arnold were brought in ; one addressed to the com- manding general, and the other to Mrs. Arnold. In the first he declared her innocence and requested protection for her. Upon reading it Washington at once turned to an aide. " Go," he said, " to Mrs. Arnold, and inform her that though my duty required that no means should be neglected to arrest General Arnold, I have great pleasure in acquainting her that he is now safe on board a British vessel of war." Mrs. Arnold's conduct had convinced General Washing- ton and his staff of her innocence, especially the young and ardent Hamilton, who lias left us a moving account of her beauty and distress. But public opinion con- demned her, and the residents of her native city in particular were convinced that she was her husband's accomplice, if indeed she had not tempted him to treason. They knew her best, and we are justified in saying that they were right. One evening, not long after the events just narrated, Colonel Aaron Burr was at the house of Mrs. Theodosia Prevost, the accomplished lady whom he afterwards married. Suddenly, horses' hoofs were heard upon the road without, and presently a lady in a riding habit, veiled, burst into the room, and hurried up to Mrs. Prevost. She was about to speak, when she observed Colonel Burr, although without recognizing him in the dim light. She paused and asked anxiously : " Am I safe ? Is this gentleman a friend ? " " Oh, yes," Mrs. Prevost answered, " he is my most particular friend, Colonel Burr." " Thank God ! " exclaimed the lady, who was none other
