"Do you know, Joscelyn," cried Janet, rushing up the steps, her eyes shining and her yellow curls flying in the wind, "that was Lieutenant Wyley from Halifax--and he is brother to Frederick--and Frederick danced with no one but me last night (you don't know what you missed in not going to the cotillion!)--and he has been at my house the livelong morning." "S-o! You have then a new beau to your string?" "Oh, yes! and he is strong and masterful, and talks love beautifully, and he does not say 'by your leave' like Billy, but is just what a lover should be." "Janet, Janet!" cried Joscelyn, reprovingly; but the laughing girl tossed her yellow curls coquettishly, the exhilaration of a new conquest upon her; then suddenly hid her face on Joscelyn's shoulder:-- "Joscelyn, dearest, did you ever feel a lover's lips against your cheek for just one little moment?" And Joscelyn went suddenly as red as she, remembering that November day when Richard came home. CHAPTER XX. JOSCELYN'S PERIL. "First time he kissed me, he but only kissed The fingers of this hand wherewith I write; And, ever since, it grew more clean and white, Slow to world greetings, quick with its 'O list!' When the angels speak." --MRS. BROWNING. Thus the months had come and gone, and come again, until three years had passed since Richard's company marched away that winter day to join their comrades at Valley Forge. Three years of warfare, and victory yet faltered to remain with either standard, but wavered like a fickle woman from side to side. And Joscelyn held to her allegiance, wearing her scarlet bodice in open rejoicing at news of an English victory, and decking herself in sombre mourning when tidings of the American triumph at King's Mountain thrilled the country with an awakened hope. And in these habiliments she walked the streets, or sat upon her balcony, that none might be in doubt as to her feelings. "Joscelyn Cheshire be as good as a war barometer," said Mistress Strudwick; "one has but to look at her to know whether to rejoice or to sorrow." Vainly her mother argued with the girl, showing the danger she ran of drawing upon them both the enmity of the community. "We are but two lone women, and what could we do against a mob? You go too far in this matter, my daughter. An you alter not your behaviour, we shall be driven from the town, or else have our house burned over our heads. Only yesterday Sally Ruffin was telling your Aunt Clevering of some threats she had heard concerning you." But Joscelyn shrugged her shoulders. "They will not harm you, mother; you are too much of their party creed. And as for me, I fear them not; they will do naught more serious than to tear down my royal picture-gallery from the porch, and break a few more window-panes."