Arnold's Tempter

In Short

Set against the backdrop of the American Revolution, this narrative follows Roderick Barclugh, a British agent sent to Philadelphia to gauge the allegiances of the colonial elite and exploit the vulnerabilities of Benedict Arnold. As the war intensifies, the story weaves together high-stakes political intrigue, the budding romance between Barclugh and a virtuous Quaker girl, and the inevitable downfall of a compromised commander. It is a work that captures the anxieties of a fledgling nation, finding its endurance in its vivid focus on the personal costs of betrayal.

The Story

The narrative opens in the opulent, tension-filled atmosphere of Philadelphia, where the social and political circles of the Revolution are beginning to fray. Roderick Barclugh, a gentleman of wealth and mysterious purpose, arrives in the city with letters of credit, quickly gaining entry into the home of Robert FitzMaurice, a merchant prince who harbors deep-seated reservations about democratic ideals. At this gathering, Barclugh encounters the prominent and increasingly imperious Benedict Arnold, whose expensive tastes and marriage to the ambitious Margaret Shippen have left him in a precarious financial state.

Barclugh, acting on behalf of British interests, identifies Arnold’s cupidity as a primary weakness. He orchestrates a series of business ventures, using intermediaries like Captain Samuel Risk to offer Arnold illicit profits. Under the guise of simple trade, these schemes slowly draw the General into a web of corruption. Simultaneously, Barclugh finds himself captivated by the sincerity of Mollie Greydon, a young Quaker woman whose deep belief in independence and the "Rights of Man" stands in stark contrast to the cynical machinations of the Philadelphia aristocrats.

As the war progresses, the narrative shifts between the intrigue in Philadelphia and the military maneuvers on the Hudson. Barclugh’s mission is complicated by his own growing moral conflict and his genuine feelings for Mollie, who remains blissfully unaware of his true identity. He travels to New York, where he negotiates with British leadership, including the impatient Sir Henry Clinton and Lord Carlisle, who debate the best approach to crushing the rebellion. Meanwhile, Arnold’s descent into treason becomes irreversible. He secures his passage through the lines to meet with Major Andre, leaving behind a trail of signed documents that seal his fate as a turncoat.

The climax arrives when news of Arnold’s betrayal ripples through Philadelphia, casting a pall over the social life of the capital and leaving the Shippen family disgraced. For Barclugh, the revelation is a moment of personal reckoning. He is wounded in a privateer skirmish—a consequence of his entanglement in the very war he hoped to manipulate—and is nursed back to health by the very family whose cause he sought to undermine. Moved by their hospitality and his love for Mollie, he chooses to abandon his allegiance to the British Crown. In the aftermath of the war, he reconciles his past by securing a pension for Arnold’s family, then sheds his title and status to start a new life with Mollie in the Kentucky wilderness, where they become pioneers of the blue-grass region.

How It Unfolds

The introduction of the agent Roderick Barclugh arrives in Philadelphia to infiltrate the inner circles of the colonial aristocracy. He quickly assesses the local sentiment, noting both the widespread anxiety over the war and the dangerous greed of the military leadership.

The corruption of the general Barclugh uses his financial resources to bait Benedict Arnold, offering the General illicit profits from privateering. Arnold’s eagerness for gold blinds him to the trap, and he begins to compromise his position to satisfy his debt.

The moral pivot While pursuing his mission, Barclugh meets Mollie Greydon, whose earnest patriotism forces him to reflect on his own motivations. He is increasingly drawn to her integrity, which stands as a silent judgment against his deceitful activities.

The betrayal revealed The secret correspondence between Arnold and the British forces is exposed, culminating in a public scandal that shocks the city. The collapse of Arnold’s reputation forces Barclugh to decide between his duty to the King and his burgeoning love for Mollie.

The final transformation Following the war’s conclusion, Barclugh renounces his noble status and his former life in England. He marries Mollie and migrates to the Kentucky frontier, seeking peace and redemption in a new nation.

The People

Roderick Barclugh is the book's complex center. Initially a calculating agent for British interests, he is driven by a cold, aristocratic pragmatism until his encounters with American ideals challenge his worldview. He transforms from an observer into a participant in the American project, ultimately trading his title for a life of honest labor.

Mollie Greydon provides the moral compass of the story. Intelligent and devout, she is deeply influenced by the political pamphlets of the day and possesses an unwavering belief in equality. Her influence over Barclugh is not through active persuasion, but through the simple, steady force of her character.

Benedict Arnold serves as the tragic foil to Barclugh’s journey. He is defined by his vanity and his inability to reconcile his grandiose expectations with his financial reality. While others act out of ideology, Arnold is consistently motivated by personal grievance and the desire to maintain a lifestyle of luxury, which ultimately leads to his ruin.

Segwuna, an Indian maiden, acts as a wise, almost mythic observer. She sees through the pretenses of the white settlers and provides the intellectual grounding for the independence movement, acting as an informal advisor to the political leaders of the era.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the intellectual atmosphere of the colonies during the Revolution, the author captures the ubiquity of revolutionary literature:

“For the past five years we have heard nothing discussed at our tables, at our firesides, and on every occasion, nothing but the ‘Rights of Man,’ ‘Common Sense,’ ‘Age of Reason,’ ‘The Declaration of Independence,’ ‘The Tyranny of Kings,’ and ‘The Corruption of Aristocracy,’ until their doctrines have become household words.”

Reflecting on his internal shift, Barclugh muses on the unexpected grace shown to him by those he intended to undermine:

“This kindness to me passeth all understanding. How shall I ever express my gratitude and return this compliment that has been paid me? No, I never expected such treatment as this from the hands of those whose cause I am endeavoring to defeat.”

What It's Really About

The book is fundamentally an inquiry into the nature of character in the face of shifting political loyalties. It contrasts the hollow aristocracy of the old world—represented by those who fear democracy—with the emerging, principled identity of the new American citizen. The author argues that corruption is not merely a political failing but a spiritual one, born of a preoccupation with luxury and status over collective good. Through the lens of the Arnold treason, the story questions what it means to be truly free and suggests that true independence requires the sacrifice of personal ambition for the sake of integrity and the common welfare.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction will appreciate the book’s focus on the personal lives caught in the gears of the Revolution. It offers an intimate, if sometimes stylized, look at the tensions between the old colonial aristocracy and the new spirit of the Enlightenment. The prose is earnest and reflects the ornate, slightly formal diction of the early 20th century, which provides an immersive, period-appropriate reading experience.

Be aware that the book carries the distinct marks of its 1908 publication date. The dialogue, particularly regarding the indigenous characters and the dialect of rural farmers, reflects the attitudes and tropes of the era, which modern readers may find dated or problematic. The pacing can occasionally slow during long, philosophical conversations, and the romantic elements are deeply rooted in the sentimental conventions of the early 1900s. However, for those interested in the psychological interpretation of Benedict Arnold, the book provides a fascinating, if highly fictionalized, character study. It remains a work of quiet, steady conviction, capturing a time when individuals were still debating whether they were subjects of a king or citizens of a republic, and it leaves the reader with a resonant, pastoral vision of American life found in the quiet corners of the frontier.