“Brother William is fairly morbid on the subject of to-day’s disaster,” said Lettice. “Let us not talk of it.”
Her brother turned to her. “I have not heard how you and Mr. Baldwin chanced to meet.”
“We encountered each other in Georgetown, where Mr. Baldwin has been staying.”
“And where I tried to persuade Miss Lettice to remain.”
“And where I wouldn’t,” she added. “I thought if anything dreadful were to befall us, I would choose to be with one of my own family, and I do believe we are as safe here as anywhere.”
“Perhaps we are,” returned her brother, thoughtfully. “If persons keep within doors, I think nothing will likely happen to them, unless the enemy set fire to the city.”
“Oh, would they do that?”
“Have they not done so elsewhere? But never mind, little sister, we’ll have to take the risks, now we are here. You will not think of returning, Mr. Baldwin, with the streets full of British soldiers.”
“No, he must not,” Lettice said decidedly.
“I bow to your decision, which is more than you did to mine,” he returned, smiling.