Part 42 (1/2)

It dawned, presently; and all the unrest left my breast--all that heavy dullness which seemed like the flitting shadow of a pain.

”Tell me,” said I, ”are you happy?”

”I am contented. I love my Mistress Swift. I love and pity Lady Johnson.... Yes, I am happy.”

”I know they both love you,” said I. ”So you should be happy here....

And admired as you are by all men....”

Again she laughed in her enchanting little way, and bent her bright head. And, presently:

”John Drogue?”

”I hear you, Penelope.”

”Do you wish warm woolen stockings for your men?”

”Why--yes.”

”I sent to Caydutta Lodge for the garments. They are in the house. You shall choose for yourself and your men before the Continentals take their share.”

I was touched, and thanked her. And now, it being near the noon hour, we walked together to the house.

The part.i.tion which Sir John had made for a gun-room, and which now served to enclose Penelope's chamber, was all hung with stout woolen stockings of her own knitting; and others lay on her trundle-bed. So I admired and handled and praised these sober fruits of her diligence and foresight, and we corded up some dozen pair for my white people; and I stuffed them into my soldier's leather sack.

Then I took her hands and said my thanks; and she looked at me and answered, ”You are welcome, John Drogue.”

I do not know what possessed me to put my arm around her. She flushed deeply. I kissed her; and it went to my head.

The girl was dumb and scarlet, not resisting, nor defending her lips; but there came a clatter of china dishes, and I released her as Flora and Colas appeared from below, with dinner smoking, and clattering platters.

And presently Lady Johnson's door opened, and she stepped out in her silk levete, followed by Claudia.

”I invited no one else,” said Lady Johnson, ”--if that suits you, Jack.”

I protested that it suited me, and that I desired to spend my few hours from duty with them alone.

As we were seated, I ventured a side glance at Penelope and perceived that she seemed nothing ruffled, though her colour was still high. For she gave me that faint, enchanting smile that now began to send a thrill through me, and she answered without confusion any remarks addressed to her.

Remembering my Indian outside, I told Flora, and Colas took food to him on the veranda.

And so we spent a very happy hour there--three old friends together once more, and a young girl stranger whom we loved already. And I did not know in what degree I loved her, but that I did love her now seemed somewhat clear to my confused senses and excited mind,--though to love, I knew, was one thing, and to be _in_ love was still another. Or so it seemed to me.

My animation was presently noticed by Claudia; and she rested her eyes on me. For I talked much and laughed more, and challenged her gay conceits with a wit which seemed to me not wholly contemptible.

”One might think you had been drinking of good news,” quoth she; ”so pray you share the draught, Jack, for we have none of our own to quench our thirst.”

”Unless none be good news, as they say,” said Lady Johnson, wistfully.

”News!” said I. ”Nenni! But the sun s.h.i.+nes, Claudia, and life is young, and 'tis a pretty world we live in after all.”