Quick steps sounded at the Cheshire door, and the brass knocker beat like an anvil through the house, setting the maid's feet in a run to answer it. Joscelyn came down from her room with wide eyes of curiosity to find Eustace Singleton in the parlour, a great nosegay of roses in his hand. "From the knocking you kept up, I thought the whole Continental army must be at my door! You have brought me the first roses of the year," she exclaimed; "how kind!" and she stretched out her hand for the flowers. "No--they are not for you--not exactly," he stammered, holding them out of her reach. "Mother will appreciate them, and I shall enjoy them quite the same." "No, she will not, for I had her not in mind when I plucked them." "Oh!" "I was thinking of--of--'n faith, Joscelyn, I was thinking of Mistress Betty Clevering." "Of Betty Clevering! Red roses for Betty Clevering!" "They are not all red. See this one; it is near as buff as her own party colour." The girl nodded, smiling at his eagerness. He walked the length of the room, then stopped before her abruptly. "Joscelyn, I leave for the front to-night." "I did not know--" "Yes; I have but waited orders from Lord Cornwallis. This morning a messenger brought them, and I am to report at once. His lordship has been most kind because of my father's friendship when they were boys, and I am appointed aide upon his staff." She held out her hand impulsively. "'Tis what we hoped for you." "But," he went on hurriedly, "I cannot go without first speaking with Mistress Betty. Methinks I cannot fight against her people without first asking her pardon. Oh, of course, that sounds foolish; but will you help me, Joscelyn? It would be useless for me to go to her house; the door would be shut in my face." "And you want me--" "I want you to ask her here now, and then go away upstairs like the dear girl you are, and give me a chance." "Aunt Clevering would never forgive me." "She need not know; think up some excuse for sending for Betty." "And Betty herself might be angry." "Not with you. She may turn me away. I have small hope, for she has always been so shy, and public questions and private quarrels have kept our families so far apart. You know how seldom we meet; but speak with her I must, for who knows whether I shall ever come back? My departure to-night must, of course, be in secret, for were my intentions known, I should be apprehended and held, mayhap hanged for treason. This is my one chance to see Betty; you are going to send for her, Joscelyn?"