So I passed the gate and walked toward the lodge. Sir John's blooded cattle were grazing ahead, and I saw Flora at the well, and Colas busy among beds of garden flowers, spading and weeding under the south porch. And I saw something else that halted me. For, seated upon a low limb of an apple tree, her two little feet hanging down, and garbed in pink-flowered chintz and snowy fichu, I beheld Penelope Grant, a-knitting. And by all the pagan gods!--there in a ring around her strolled and lolled a dozen Continental officers in buff and blue and gold! There was no reason why, but the scene chilled me. One o' these dandies had her ball of wool, and was a-winding of it as he sat cross-legged on the turf, a silly, happy look on his beardless face. Another was busy writing on a large sheet of paper,--verses, no doubt!--for he seemed vastly pleased with his progress, and I saw her look at him shyly under her dark lashes, and could have slain him for the smirk he rendered. Also, it did not please me that her petticoat was short and revealed her ankles and slim feet in silver-buckled shoon. I was near; I could hear their voices, their light laughter; and, rarely, her voice in reply to some pointed gallantry or jest. None had perceived me advancing among the trees, nor now noticed me where I was halted there in the checkered sunshine. But, as I stirred and moved forward, the girl turned her head, caught a glimpse of me and my painted Indian, stared in silence, then slid from her perch and stood up on the grass, her needles motionless. All the young popinjays got to their feet, and all stared as I offered them the salute of rank; but all rendered it politely. "Lieutenant of Rangers Drogue to report to Major Westfall," said I bluntly, in reply to a Continental Captain's inquiry. "Yonder, sir, on the porch with Lady Johnson," said he. I bared my head, then, and walked to Penelope. She curtsied: I bent to her hand. "Are you well, my lord?" she asked in a colourless voice, which chilled me again for its seeming lack of warmth. "And you, Penelope?" "I am well, I thank you." "I am happy to learn so." That was all. I bowed again. She curtsied. I replaced my mole-skin cap, saluted the popinjays, and marched forward. My Indian stalked at my heels. God knew why, but mine had become a troubled mind that sunny morning. CHAPTER XVII DEEPER TROUBLE I had been welcomed like a brother by Polly Johnson. Claudia, too, made a little fête of my return, unscathed from my first war-trail. And after I had completed my report to the Continental Major, who proved complacent to the verge of flattery, I was free to spend the day at the Summer House--or, rather, I was at liberty to remain as long a time as it took a well-mounted express to ride to Johnstown with my report and return with further orders from Colonel Dayton for me and my small command.