“Don’t talk of it. Don’t even think about it,” said Peggy soothingly. “As I said, thee is all upset over thy brother, and therefore is prone to imagine many things. ’Tis lowness of mind that causes it. Now while we wait for John, we will make mother let us get the supper. Thou shalt make the chocolate, Harriet. In that thee excels.” And in this manner, talking to her as though she were a little child, Peggy beguiled her cousin into forgetfulness of her strange foreboding. CHAPTER V—A DAY OF NOTE “Great were the hearts, and strong the minds, Of those, who framed, in high debate, The immortal league of love, that binds Our fair, broad Empire, State with State. * * * * * “That noble race is gone; the suns Of years have risen, and set; But the bright links those chosen ones So strongly forged, are brighter yet.” It was late that night when Drayton returned. “No,” he said in answer to Harriet’s eager questioning. “I found him not. I went to both the old and the new jails, but he was in neither. In fact, no prisoners have been received for some days. I then made the rounds of the taverns, but no such party was stopping at any of them. There was but one trace to be found: some of the loungers about the inns said that a party of horse was seen in the late afternoon riding toward the lower ferry. I will inquire in that direction to-morrow. ’Tis not customary to travel at night with prisoners, unless the need is urgent. I wonder that a stop for the night was not made in the city.” The dragoons had passed through the city, as the lieutenant found the next day; and, crossing the Schuylkill at Gray’s Ferry had gone on to the Blue Bell Tavern, putting up there for the night. They were up and away early the next morning. “Then how shall I find him?” queried Harriet as Drayton imparted this information to her. “Lieutenant, you are an officer in the army; tell me how to find my brother. I ought not to ask this of you, I know. I haven’t always been kind or pleasant, but if you will only help me in this, I’ll—I’ll——Peggy, help me to plead with him.” “There is no need to plead, mistress,” responded he quickly. “If I can be of service to you, it will be a pleasure. I will do what I can to find him. If he is an officer the task will be much easier. If I hear aught concerning him I will send you word at once. ’Twas said at the Blue Bell that the party was for the South, and if so, it may be that I shall overtake it. I leave to-morrow if the despatches of Congress are ready.” “So soon?” exclaimed Peggy in dismay. “Why, thee came but yesterday, John.”