“Oh, really? I am glad they are out of my hands, then. Who is coming? I hear the clatter of horses on the walk.”
William arose and went down the steps, and Lettice heard him say: “Ah, General, welcome, right welcome. Good evening, Tyler. Glad to meet you, Mr. Baldwin. Come in, gentlemen, and let me present you to the ladies.” And Lettice was soon in the presence of the veteran, General Benson, Captain Dodson, her old friend, Tyler Baldwin, and, whom but the young naval officer, Ellicott Baldwin, of whom Tyler had spoken to her, and whom she well remembered.
“A fortunate circumstance it was which led me to my cousin’s this week,” said the young man, who bowed low before Lettice. “I trust you remember me, for I have never forgotten you.”
Lettice blushed and dropped her eyes. “I was very bold,” she murmured; “but I was so excited that I forgot I was speaking to a stranger.”
“Not bold,” the young man hastened to say. “It was but the charming naturalness of a child; the spontaneity of trusting youth. You cannot think I had feelings other than those of admiration for your ingenuous words, and I have ever since desired an opportunity of meeting you again. May I tell you how I happen to be here? Shall we sit here?” He led her to a corner of the wide piazza, and seated himself by her side. “The general and Captain Dodson were coming this way to get some papers which I am to deliver at Washington, to which place I am to start by daybreak. They have been having a lively time at St. Michael’s, as you probably know.”
“Yes, we have heard of it; but those papers—they must be the ones my brother was just speaking about, and I shall have to go and get them at once, for it is I who know where they are hidden. I will have to ask James to go with me.”
“Are they within doors?”
“No, they are down yonder.” She made a movement of the hand in the direction of the graveyard.
“May I not accompany you? Your brother seems occupied at this moment.”
“I do not object, if you are willing to help with the digging.”