More than ever before I admired that little “bird of beauty,” flitting about with charming grace, and an irresistible business air, to get me my supper, for the rest had just finished. This privilege she always claimed when I came to Disaways; fighting furiously, if the excellent lady of the manor attempted to supplant her. Looking at her, as she ran about now, engaged in her most admirable occupation, I thought her lovelier than ever before--certainly than when talking in the woods with Tom! You see she was getting my supper, reader!--and it seemed to be a labor of love. The little fairy ran on her tiptoes from sideboard to table; spread a snowy napkin, and placed a gilt china plate upon it; made tea; covered the table with edibles; and placed beside my plate a great goblet of yellow cream, of the consistency of syrup. Then she poured out my tea, set my chair to the table, and came with courtesy and laughing ceremony, to offer me her arm, and lead me to my seat. Men are weak, worthy reader, and the most “romantic and poetical” of us all, have much of the animal in us. That is a mortifying confession. I was terribly hungry, and at that moment I think my attention was more closely riveted on the table, than even upon Miss Katy with her roses and ringlets. I therefore unbuckled my sabre, placed the little hand on my arm, and was about to proceed toward the table, when a shot, accompanied by a shout, was heard from the direction of the Rowanty. I went and buckled on my sword again. Then seeing Tom rise quickly--to get his horse ready, he said--I requested him to have my own resaddled, and returned to the table. I had just raised the cup of tea to my lips, amid warnings from the family, to take care or I would be captured, when a cavalryman galloped up the hill, and stopped in front of the door. “Look out, the Yankees are coming!” he cried. I glanced through the window, and recognized a man of Mohun’s command, who also recognized me. “How near are they?” I said, attempting to swallow the burning tea. “Not a quarter of a mile off, colonel!” “That will give me time,” I said. And I applied myself again to the tea, which this time I poured out into the saucer, in order to cool it. “Look out, colonel!” cried the man. “Where are they?” “At the gate.” I finished the tea, and the goblet of cream just as the man shouted:-- “Here they are, right on you, colonel!” And I heard the sound of a galloping horse, accompanied by shots at the retreating cavalryman. I went quickly to the window. A column of Federal cavalry was rapidly ascending the hill. By the last beams of day I recognized Darke at the head of the column; and by his side rode Mr. Alibi. I thought I could see that Darke was thin and very pale, but was not certain. The light was faint, and I had only one glance--discretion suggested a quick retreat.