"Perchance she really does not know any more about this than she did about the false bottom to the wagon, John." "It may be, Peggy. We will give her the benefit of the doubt, but it does look suspicious. She is not so high minded as her brother is." "John!" Peggy hesitated and then spoke quickly: "Thee knows how proud I am of her, and that I am fond of her. She is so beautiful and brilliant that I cannot help but be glad when she is with us. But there is always an uneasy feeling too. Is there any mischief to the cause that could be done here?" "No," he answered emphatically. "Aside from bringing in goods for the illicit trade there is but one thing that could be done now, Peggy, and that thing Harriet will never do. 'Twould be to peddle those illegal goods to the country folk about here. Harriet won't do that, Peggy." "No, she would not do that," agreed Peggy. "Then set your mind at rest concerning her. We have the goods which she was sent to bring. She will never know that all have been found; so there is mutual satisfaction on both sides. If you can get any enjoyment out of her presence, Peggy, do so." "Thank thee, John. Thee has set my mind completely at rest," said Peggy. CHAPTER XXI CHOSEN BY LOT "Sound to arms! Call in the captains,-- I would speak with them! Now, Hope! away,--and welcome gallant Death!" --"_Cataline," Croly._ Enjoy Harriet's presence Peggy did. Never had the English maiden been more charming. Her vivacity, her endless sallies of wit and humor, and her unfailing store of anecdotes rendered her irresistible. Peggy had always been her mother's assistant in the household but now, quite to the amazement of both mother and daughter, Harriet insisted upon helping. "I have been a guest long enough," she laughingly protested in answer to Mrs. Owen's remonstrance. "Father declares that you are an excellent housewife, madam my cousin. He would be pleased indeed to have me learn of you. Beside," she added with a most charming blush, "I dare say that I shall have a house of my own to look after some day; so 'tis quite time that I knew something of housewifery."