Into a gay and brilliantly lighted room in Tomlinson’s hotel, on the night of December 8, 1812, Rhoda and Lettice entered. The former looked very fair and elegant in her India muslin, her delicate features and fair skin set off by a scarf of pale blue. Lettice, with her brilliant color, her dancing curls, and pretty figure, looked not less fair in her gown of pink, with her floating scarf of white, skilfully embroidered. They had scarcely come into the ball-room, the walls of which were decorated with the captured flags of the Alert and the Guerrière, when there was heard a great cheering and noise of excitement. “What is it?” whispered Lettice, half in alarm.
“Nothing to be terrified at, you may be sure,” returned Mr. Clinton, “for every one is smiling and eager. See, Mrs. Madison is talking quite gayly.”
Lettice stood on tiptoe the better to see, as into the room trooped a crowd of young gentlemen all escorting a young man who bore aloft a flag.
“’Tis young Mr. Hamilton,” cried Rhoda. “See, Captain Hull and Captain Stewart receive the flag. They are taking it to Mrs. Madison. It must be a captured flag.”
Lettice watched while, amid resounding cheers, the flag was placed by the side of those taken from the Alert and the Guerrière. “It is a fine sight,” she exclaimed. “I am so glad I came!”
She was so full of enthusiasm that she did not notice that she spoke to a stranger, but the young man addressed smiled down at her and replied: “So am I. Have you heard what it is all about?”
“No, please tell me.”
“It is the flag of the Macedonian. She was captured on October 25, by Captain Decatur of the frigate United States, and Mr. Hamilton has just brought official notice of it to his father.”
“Oh, thank you.” Lettice’s lovely eyes were shining with delight. “I am so glad.”
“Lettice,” came Rhoda’s voice severely. Then Lettice realized that she did not know this young man, and blushing, she followed Rhoda’s lead. The young man stood looking after them. “I wonder who the dear little girl is,” he said to himself. “I must find out.”