“Lettice, my love,” said her father, gravely, “do you know that Mr. Baldwin is the same who helped our poor Tom to escape from the British ship? Mr. Baldwin did not know him as the same, under his assumed name, and, strange as it may seem, I never connected Mr. Ellicott Baldwin with the young lieutenant who came so nobly to Tom’s defence, and I promised Tom that if ever I had the chance I would try to pay his debt of gratitude; so, Mr. Baldwin, will you give my daughter your hand--for this dance?” The start and blush which followed these words caused Mr. Hopkins to smile. “Would it tax your generosity beyond its limit to ask you to grant my request for a dance, Miss Lettice?” said Mr. Baldwin, looking at her with all his soul in his eyes. She arose immediately, and for the rest of the evening she was enveloped in an atmosphere of joy. She forgot that she had not seen her lover, nor heard from him, in all these months. She was aware only of a new gladness, of how delightful it was to have him near her. She did not know she could be so glad. Once Betty whispered as she passed them, “You look as happy as the bride herself, Letty.” Lettice for answer made a little mouth at her. She felt all her youth and buoyancy returning to her, as she found herself once more in the company of this beloved one and surrounded by the merry friends of her childhood. To all who knew her she was the old Lettice of the days before the war, and her pretty, innocent coquetries but added to her charm. “Shall you remain long in the neighborhood?” Mr. Baldwin asked. “No, we only came down for the wedding. I do not know what Brother William and Betty will do; Uncle Tom wants them to stay at Sylvia’s Ramble till their new home is built, but I shall probably go back to town with my father. I have not heard his plans; we have been so busy with the wedding. Is not Patsey a sweet bride, and does not Cousin Joe look as if he were in the seventh heaven? They have been such a devoted pair of lovers that every one is the more interested in them, especially as we came so near to losing Cousin Joe.” “And you are happy, I hope, Miss Lettice? It must be a great pleasure for you to see your father again. You did not expect I would be here to-night, did you?” he asked abruptly. “No, I did not.” “My cousins would have it that I must come down to spend Christmas, and then nothing would do but I must stay for this affair. I had to refuse at first, but Tyler insisted, and when I knew your father would be here, I consented.” The two looked at each other, and there was a complete understanding of the state of affairs without further explanation. “Have you been in Washington all this while?” Lettice asked.