"Peggy," he cried, his gladness at seeing her plain to be seen. "You are come at last. Your father told me that you were coming, and I have watched every day for a week for you. Major Dale hath all the luck, to bring you. I should like to have gone, but I could not get leave." "And how does thee do, John?" "Well, Peggy. Well indeed. By the way! you know, I dare say, that your Cousin Clifford is here. I am barracks' master, and the prisoners are confined in the barracks. Is it not a strange turn of the Wheel of Fortune that he should be in my charge, when a little less than a year ago I was a prisoner under him? He doth not relish it much, either. Is your mother in the coach, Peggy?" "Yes; with Harriet," answered Peggy. "Harriet!" he ejaculated amazed. "Now what doth Harriet want? I thought we had those cousins where they would not trouble you again." "Have you seen the lady of whom you speak, Drayton?" asked Robert Dale abruptly. "Often, major." Drayton laughed merrily. "There is not much love lost betwixt us, either, although I owe much to her for rescuing me from an exceedingly embarrassing position. She would not let me thank her because, she informed me, that what she did was for Peggy. Now what doth she want, Peggy?" "She wants to see how Clifford fares, John. Thee is kind to him, I know." "I do all that I can, Peggy, because he is your cousin. I'd do much more if he would allow me. You know he never liked me, and he would actually deprive himself of necessities if he had to receive them at my hands." "Will thee let us see him, John?" "Certainly. We are not very rigid. We keep a strict guard to prevent escape, but otherwise we give the prisoners many privileges. I will speak to your mother now, and Harriet." A cloud came to Robert Dale's brow as he heard Mrs. Owen say: "John, dear lad, if thee can get away from duty why not get inside with us, and go on to the house? Then we shall all be together once more." "Thank you, madam," answered Drayton with alacrity. "I was hoping that you would ask me. I shall be pleased." "I did not know that Captain Drayton was so well known to your family, Peggy," remarked Robert with some stiffness. "Why, we have known him for years, Robert," replied Peggy. "Doesn't thee like him?" "He is one of the most daring, dashing, reckless officers in the service, Peggy. Whenever there is anything of an especially dangerous nature to be done, John Drayton is the first fellow to be named in connection with its performance. I have always had a high regard for him. At least until----" He paused in some confusion. Peggy laughed out suddenly, and a sparkle of mischief came into her eye. "At least until thee found that we knew him well. Is that it? What unworthy people we must be that the mere knowing us would render him unfit for thy regard."