Part 17 (2/2)

”Shall we dance?” I asked pleasantly.

She looked up, then out across the ocean of glitter and restless color.

”Now I am in two minds,” she said--”to dance until there's no breath left and but a wisp of rags to cover me, or to sip a syllabub with you and rest, or go gaze at the heavens the while you court me----”

”That's three minds already,” I said, laughing.

”Well, sir, which are you for?”

”And you, Elsin?”

”No, sir, you shall choose.”

”Then, if it lies with me, I choose the stars and courts.h.i.+p,” I said politely.

”I wonder,” she said, ”why you choose it--with a maid so pliable. Is not half the sport in the odds against you--the pretty combat for supremacy, the resisting fingers, and the defense, face covered? Is not the sport to overcome all these, nor halt short of the reluctant lips, still fluttering in voiceless protest?”

”Where did you hear all that?” I asked, piqued yet laughing.

”Rosamund Barry read me my first lesson--and, after all, though warned, I let you have your way with me there in the chaise. Oh, I am an apt pupil, Carus, with Captain Butler in full control of my mind and you of my body.”

”Have you seen him yet?” I asked.

”No; he has not appeared to claim his dance. A gallant pair of courtiers I have found in you and him----”

”Couple our names no more!” I said so hotly that she stopped, looking at me in astonishment.

”Have you quarreled?” she asked.

I did not answer. We had descended the barrack-stairs and were entering the parade. Dark figures in pairs moved vaguely in the light of the battle-lanthorns set. We met O'Neil and Rosamund, who stood star-gazing on the gra.s.s, and later Sir Henry, pacing the sod alone, who, when he saw me, motioned me to stop, and drew a paper from his breast.

”Sir Peter and Lady Coleville's pa.s.s for Westchester, which he desired and I forgot. Will you be good enough to hand it to him, Mr. Renault?

There is a council called to-night--it is close to two o'clock, and I must go.”

He took a courtly leave of us, then wandered away, head bent, pacing the parade as though he kept account of each slow step.

”Yonder comes Knyphausen, too, and Birch,” I said, as the German General emerged from the casemates, followed by Birch and a raft of officers, spurs clanking.

We stood watching the Hessians as they pa.s.sed in the lamp's rays, officers smooth-shaven and powdered, wearing blue and yellow, and their long boots; soldiers with black queues in eelskin, tiny mustaches turned up at the waxed ends, and long black, b.u.t.toned spatter-dashes strapped at instep and thigh.

”Let us ascend to the parapets,” she said, looking up at the huge, dark silhouette above where the southeast bastion jutted seaward.

A sentry brought his piece to support as we went by him, ascending the inclined artillery road, whence we presently came out upon the ramparts, with the vast sweep of star-set firmament above, and below us the city's twinkling lights on one side, and upon the other two great rivers at their trysting with the midnight ocean.

There were no lights at sea, none on the Hudson, and on the East River only the sad signal-spark smoldering above the _Jersey_.

Elsin had found a seat low on a gun-carriage, and, moving a little, made place for me.

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