CHAPTER V
THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE
Her hand was in mine, my arm already around her waist, when the officerbowed before us. He had been but a dim figure in the afternoon, but now Isaw him for a tall, slender man, somewhat swarthy of face, with blackhair and moustache, and a keen eye, attired in the green and white of theQueen's Rangers. He smiled, but with a sarcastic curl to the upper lipnot altogether pleasant.
"Your pardon, Mistress Claire," he said boldly, sweeping me with asupercilious glance, "but am I mistaken in believing this waltz waspledged to me?"
"By mistake, Captain," her lips smiling, her eyes steady. "It seems I hadoverlooked a promise made during the afternoon."
"Oh, indeed," he turned toward me, staring insolently. "The hero of therescue, I presume."
I felt the restraining pressure of her hand upon my sleeve, and her voicereplied calmly, before I succeeded in finding words.
"This is the gentleman who protected me from the mob, if that be what youmean. Permit me to present Captain Grant of the Queen's Rangers,Lieutenant--pardon my having already forgotten your name."
"Fortesque," I stammered, intensely hating the necessary deception.
"Ah, yes--Lieutenant Fortesque, of the 42nd British Foot."
We bowed coldly, neither extending a hand, the Captain twisting hismoustache as he continued staring at me.
"Fortesque," he repeated slowly. "Fortesque; not of this garrison, Ibelieve."
"No, from New York," coolly. "I regret having interfered with yourprogramme."
"Don't mention it; there are other ladies present, and, no doubt, yourgallant act was worthy the reward; a pleasant evening, sir," and he drewaside, stiffly military. Eager to lose as little as possible of themeasure I swung my partner forward, catching glimpse again of the man'sface as we circled.
"Pleasant disposition," I ventured, without meaning to be uncivil.
"Oh, very," and her eyes met mine frankly. "But you must not quarrel withhim; that is his one specialty, you know."
"Is the warning on your account, or my own?"
"Both, perhaps. Captain Grant's family and mine are neighbors--or werebefore war intervened--and between our fathers exists a life-longfriendship. I could never consent to be the cause of his quarrelling withany one, and I have reason to know how quick tempered he is."
"I have little use for any man who swaggers about seeking trouble," Ireturned, as she hesitated. "It has been my experience that there isusually cowardice back of such a disposition."
"Not in this case," earnestly. "Captain Grant's courage has beensufficiently tested already. I warn you not to presume on your theory sofar as he is concerned. I advise the safer course."
"What is that?"
Her eyes met mine, smiling slightly, and yet grave enough in theirdepths.
"To let this one dance prove sufficient reward for your act of rescue."
"You request this?"
"Oh, you must not place the entire burden of decision on me, sir. I canonly suggest."
"Has Captain Grant any authority to dictate who shall be your partner?"
Her lashes lifted, and then fell before my gaze.
"He at least assumes the power, and generally with fair success. I mustask to be excused from discussing this matter further now, but--but," hervoice trembled to a whisper, "I--I am sure your safety depends upon yourleaving me."
Astonished by these words, suddenly wondering if she suspected me,scarcely comprehending what she meant, I stared into her face, as wecircled the room. Grant stood stiffly against the wall where we left him,his eyes fastened moodily on the crowd; I realized his presence, yet mywhole thought was concentrated on the girl, the strands of her hairbrushing my lips, her steps lightly following the music, her eyesdowncast. Into the cheeks there came a flush of pink, and she glanced upto read the surprise in my face.
"Do I need to say more?"
"Yes, you must," I insisted, "you can never believe I would leave youbecause of personal fear."
"I did not know--at first. Now I realize it will require a higher motiveto influence you; not love of life, but love of country."
I felt the closer clasp of her fingers on my guiding hand, and knew Itook a deep breath of surprise.
"Lean your head just a little closer," she whispered. "I--I know you,Major Lawrence, and--and I wish you well."
How I kept to the measure I cannot now imagine, for, in an instant, allmy house of cards crumbled into nothingness. She knew me, this blue-eyedgirl; knew me, and sought to aid my mission, this daughter of a loyalist,this lady of the Blended Rose. It was inconceivable, and yet a fact--myname had been whispered by her lips.
Suddenly she looked up laughing, as though to make others feel that weconversed lightly. We passed Grant, even as I held my breath, almostafraid to venture with words. Yet they would not be restrained.
"You certainly startled me; how do you know this? Surely we have nevermet before?"
"I refuse to be questioned, sir; it means nothing how I know--the factthat I do should be sufficient."
"But Mistress Claire--"
"Rather Mistress Mortimer."
"Yet the Captain called you Claire."
"And we were children together--you can scarcely claim such familiarity."
"I warrant you can name me."
"Allen, is it not, sir?"
What was it the witch did not know! This was no guess-work, surely, andyet how could her strange knowledge be accounted for? Sweet as the facewas, greatly as it had attracted me, there was nothing to awaken a throbof memory. Surely I could never have seen her before, and forgotten; thatwould have been impossible. The music ceased, leaving us at the fartherextremity of the hall.
"And now you will go?" she questioned eagerly.
"Do you mean, leave here?"
"Yes; you said once to-night, that but for me you would be riding yonder.I realized all you meant, and you must not remain. The guard-lines areslack to-night, and you can get through, but if you wait until to-morrowit may be too late. Believe me, I am your friend, a friend of yourcause."
"I do believe you; I could not connect you with deceit, but I ambewildered at this sudden exposure. Does Captain Grant also suspect myidentity?"
"I think not--not yet, at least, for if he did you would be under arrest.But there are others here who would recognize you just as I have. Thereis no mystery about it. I was in Philadelphia when the Continental troopswere here, and you were pointed out to me then. No, we have never met,yet I was sure I recognized you this afternoon."
"I was pointed out to you by whom?"
"My brother--my twin brother on the staff of General Lee."
"Did you not inform me your family were loyalists?"
"Yes; it is true," earnestly, her foot tapping the floor, as thoughannoyed at such persistent questioning. "I have a father and brother inthe King's service--but one is a renegade, and I--I--"
"You are what?"
"I am merely a woman, sir, unable to determine whether to finally becomeloyalist or rebel."
I looked gravely into her eyes until they fell, veiling their revelationof truth behind long lashes.
"Mistress Mortimer," I murmured, bending so close to her pink ear, I feltthe soft touch of her hair on my lips, "you dissemble so charmingly as toeven puzzle me. But if I leave you now, as you request, I must first havepromise of welcome again."
"Then you mean to return--a prisoner? I am always merciful to thesuffering."
"No; we are coming back to Philadelphia victors, and soon. I am notafraid to tell you. I have learned much to-day, and go back to report toWashington that the exchange of British commanders means the earlyevacuation of this city. When we meet again you will not be a lady of theBlended Rose, nor will I be wearing this uniform."
Her eyes sparkled brightly into mine, then dropped demurely.
"I--I rather like the colors you are wearing now, and am sure this dressis most becoming. I--I have a passion for masquerade."
"
I recognize that, but have already discovered where I can read the truthbeyond the masque--what is occurring now?"
She turned to look, attracted as I had been by the change and bustleabout us. A few feet from where we stood conversing, large folding doors,previously concealed by draperies, were suddenly flung wide open,revealing a magnificent dining-hall. Before the crowd could recover fromits first surprise, and surge that way, my eyes had taken in the fulleffect of the disclosure. It was a vast saloon, as I have since beeninformed, measuring two hundred and ten feet by forty, with a height oftwenty-two feet, having three large alcoves on each side. The ceiling wasthe segment of a circle, the sides painted a light straw color, with vineleaves and festoons of flowers, some in bright, others in dark green.More than fifty large pier-glasses extended from floor to ceiling,reflecting the glitter of the tables, while a hundred branches of threelights each, and eighteen clusters of twenty-four, illumined the immenseapartment, aided by three hundred wax tapers upon the snowy tables. Thesewere already prepared for service, set with nearly five hundred covers, alarge company of black slaves, attired in Oriental fashion, awaiting thecoming of the guests. Sir William and his brother already led the way,the others pouring in as rapidly as the wide doors would permit. Dazzledby the magnificent spectacle I turned to my companion, unable to resisttemptation. She must have instantly read the purpose in my face, for shegrasped my sleeve.
"No; you must not think of remaining a moment longer. There will be aseat reserved for me, and Captain Grant is coming this way now. Somethingis wrong, I am sure; I have no time to explain, but promise me you willleave here at once--at once."
Her eyes, her words, were so insistent I could not refuse, although as Iglanced about I felt convinced there was no danger in this assemblage,not a familiar face meeting mine. At the instant Grant came up, elbowinghis way through the press, and staring insolently into my eyes, even ashe bowed politely to the lady beside me.
"At least this is my privilege," he insisted, "unless there be anotherprevious engagement of which I am ignorant."
"Oh, no," and she rested her hands on the green sleeve, smiling from hisface into mine. "We were waiting for you to come. Good-night, LieutenantFortesque."
They had taken a step or two, when Grant halted, holding her arm tightlyas he glanced back to where I stood.
"Would Lieutenant Fortesque spare me a moment after I have found the ladya seat?" he questioned politely.
"Gladly, if you do not keep me waiting too long."
"Then there will be no delay. Shall we say the parlor below?"
I bowed, conscious of the mute appeal in the lady's face, yet with noexcuse for refusal.
"As well there as anywhere, sir."
Once again we bowed with all the punctilious ceremony of mutual dislike,and he whispered something into her ear as they disappeared in the streamof people. My cheeks burned with indignation at his cool insolence. Whatcould it mean? Was he merely seeking a quarrel? or was there somethingelse concealed behind this request? In either case I knew not how to act,and yet felt no inclination to avoid the meeting. Studying over thesituation I pushed my way through the crowd across the floor of theball-room. There were a few people still lingering on the stairs, but,except for the servants, the parlors below were deserted. I walked thelength of one of the great rooms, and halted in front of a fireplace toawait Grant's coming. I was eager to have this affair settled, and beoff. I comprehended now the risk I had assumed by remaining so long, andbegan to feel the cords of entanglement drawing about me. There was adoor opposite where I stood, and, staring toward it, I saw it openslightly, and, back in the darkness, the beckoning of a hand. Startled,yet realizing that it must mean me, I stepped closer, gripping the hiltof my sword, half suspecting treachery.
"Quick," and I recognized the deep contralto of the voice. "Don't stop toquestion; there is not a moment to lose."