"Oh, well," spoke Harriet lightly. "Don't let's talk about it, Peggy. I dare say Sir Guy Carleton and your General Washington will arrive at some understanding regarding the affair. Is that your mother's coach coming?" "Yes. She will be glad to see thee, Harriet. She is fond of thee. And Robert Dale is beside her. Thee will like him, Harriet. Indeed, I know not how one could help it." "Indeed, my cousin?" Harriet's brows went up quizzically. "I thought you were all for Captain Drayton? I rather prefer this Major Dale myself. He hath more manners than John Drayton ever had." Peggy's face flushed, but she observed quietly: "They are both dear lads, Harriet. Thee will see John also at Lancaster. Father said that he had been sent there." "Then it will be quite like old times, Peggy. At Middlebrook there were John Drayton and your father to take us about. If we have Robert Dale, in addition to Clifford, we should have a gay time." "Perhaps," was Peggy's answer. A look of intense amazement appeared upon Robert Dale's face as he rode up. He had left a demure Quakeress with Peggy, and returned to find this beautiful, radiant girl. Both girls laughed at his bewildered expression. "'Tis my Cousin Harriet Owen, Robert," explained Peggy. "She hath assumed this dress that she might go through to Lancaster with safety to see her brother, Clifford." "But--but Truelove Davis?" The youth was plainly nonplused. "He wants Truelove, Peggy," cried Harriet her eyes dancing with mischief. "Where is that bonnet?" She caught it up as she spoke, tying it again under her chin. "Does that please thee better, friend youth?" she asked turning toward the young man roguishly. "Would that I were a limner to paint you," burst from the young fellow impulsively. Harriet smiled charmingly as she swept him an elaborate courtesy. "In that thee does not agree with my cousin, friend. She doth not consider the bonnet becoming. In truth, I fear me that I did give her rather a bad quarter of an hour when I wore it." "Harriet?" exclaimed Mrs. Owen looking out of the calash which by this time had come up to where they were. "Why, child, how came thee here? Robert thought----" "Yes, I know," cried Harriet. "I know what Robert thought, but 'tis as you see, madam my cousin. If I may ride with you I will explain all." Into her voice there crept the supplicating quaver that Peggy remembered so well. Her mother responded instantly to the plea. "Why, Harriet, thou art doubly welcome. Once for the stranger whom we thought thee, and again for thyself. Get right in with me, child, and tell me all that hath befallen thee. Why, 'tis long since I have seen thee." "How beautiful she is," spoke Robert Dale as he and Peggy rode on after Harriet had climbed into the coach beside Mrs. Owen. "How beautiful she is!" "Is she not?" asked Peggy eagerly. "Methinks she grows more so every time I see her. Does thee not think so too, Robert?"