"My home was there when the war began," she explained simply. "Now it is hate, pillage, and plunder everywhere. We fled to Philadelphia for our lives, and have almost forgotten we ever had a home. We loyalists are paying a price almost equal to those men with Washington. "Tis this memory which makes me so bitter toward those who play amid the ruins."
"Yet you have seemed to enter into the gay spirit of the occasion," and my eyes swept over her costume.
"Oh, I am girl enough to enjoy the glitter, even while the woman in me condemns it all. You are a soldier--a fighting soldier, I hope--and still you are here also seeking pleasure."
"True; I yielded to temptation, but for which I should never have come."
"What?"
"The dare in your eyes this afternoon," I said boldly. "But for what I read there I should be out yonder riding through the night."
She laughed, yet not wholly at ease, the long lashes drooping over her eyes.
"Always the woman; what would you do without my s.e.x to bear your mistakes?"
"But was this a mistake? Did I read altogether wrong?"
"Don"t expect a confession from me, sir," demurely. "I have no memory of any promise."
"No, the barest suggestion was all your lips gave; it was the eyes that challenged."
"You must have dreamed; perhaps you recall the suggestion?"
"I took it to mean that you would not be altogether averse to meeting me again through the kindness of some mutual friend."
"No doubt you have found such a friend?"
"I have scarcely seen a face I know to-night," I pleaded. "I cannot even guess from what place of mystery you appeared so suddenly. So now I throw myself upon your mercy."
"I wonder is it quite safe!" hesitatingly. "But, perhaps, the risk is equally great on your part. Ah! the lights go on again."
"And the band plays a Hungarian Waltz; how better could we cement friendship than to that measure?"
"You think so? I am not so sure, and there are many names already on my card--"
"Do not look," I interrupted swiftly, "for I claim first choice since this afternoon."
"You do?" and her eyes laughed into mine provokingly. "And I had forgotten it all; did I, indeed promise you?"
"Only with your eyes."
"Oh, my eyes! always my eyes! Well, for once, at least, I will redeem even that visionary pledge," and her glance swept the room hastily. "But I advise that you accept my surrender quickly, sir--I am not sure but this was Captain Grant"s dance, and he is coming now."
CHAPTER V
THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE
Her hand was in mine, my arm already around her waist, when the officer bowed before us. He had been but a dim figure in the afternoon, but now I saw him for a tall, slender man, somewhat swarthy of face, with black hair and moustache, and a keen eye, attired in the green and white of the Queen"s Rangers. He smiled, but with a sarcastic curl to the upper lip not altogether pleasant.
"Your pardon, Mistress Claire," he said boldly, sweeping me with a supercilious glance, "but am I mistaken in believing this waltz was pledged to me?"
"By mistake, Captain," her lips smiling, her eyes steady. "It seems I had overlooked a promise made during the afternoon."
"Oh, indeed," he turned toward me, staring insolently. "The hero of the rescue, I presume."
I felt the restraining pressure of her hand upon my sleeve, and her voice replied calmly, before I succeeded in finding words.
"This is the gentleman who protected me from the mob, if that be what you mean. Permit me to present Captain Grant of the Queen"s Rangers, Lieutenant--pardon my having already forgotten your name."
"Fortesque," I stammered, intensely hating the necessary deception.
"Ah, yes--Lieutenant Fortesque, of the 42nd British Foot."
We bowed coldly, neither extending a hand, the Captain twisting his moustache as he continued staring at me.
"Fortesque," he repeated slowly. "Fortesque; not of this garrison, I believe."
"No, from New York," coolly. "I regret having interfered with your programme."
"Don"t mention it; there are other ladies present, and, no doubt, your gallant act was worthy the reward; a pleasant evening, sir," and he drew aside, stiffly military. Eager to lose as little as possible of the measure I swung my partner forward, catching glimpse again of the man"s face as we circled.
"Pleasant disposition," I ventured, without meaning to be uncivil.
"Oh, very," and her eyes met mine frankly. "But you must not quarrel with him; that is his one specialty, you know."
"Is the warning on your account, or my own?"
"Both, perhaps. Captain Grant"s family and mine are neighbors--or were before war intervened--and between our fathers exists a life-long friendship. I could never consent to be the cause of his quarrelling with any one, and I have reason to know how quick tempered he is."
"I have little use for any man who swaggers about seeking trouble," I returned, as she hesitated. "It has been my experience that there is usually cowardice back of such a disposition."
"Not in this case," earnestly. "Captain Grant"s courage has been sufficiently tested already. I warn you not to presume on your theory so far as he is concerned. I advise the safer course."
"What is that?"
Her eyes met mine, smiling slightly, and yet grave enough in their depths.
"To let this one dance prove sufficient reward for your act of rescue."
"You request this?"
"Oh, you must not place the entire burden of decision on me, sir. I can only suggest."
"Has Captain Grant any authority to dictate who shall be your partner?"