“I mean that Elizabeth Danesford is alive. The mistake came from the report that she couldn’t live. Doesn’t it seem too good to be true?” and Mrs. Allison watched Rodney’s face as she added: “She is very poor. Captain Enderwood wished to marry her, he frankly told me so, but you know it would require more than poverty to weaken Lisbeth’s resolution. The captain had heard her speak of me as her adopted aunt and he came all the way to Charlottesville to tell me about her. You see, her uncle and aunt in Philadelphia are dead and she has no kin in this country save a cousin who is not able to render her much if any assistance.”
“She’ll not be poor if we ever get what the ‘Chevalier’ left to us in his will, for half of what he gave to me, you know, he said he should have given to her.”
“It may be difficult to persuade her to accept it. Enderwood, you know, offered to share his fortune with her and she refused.” There was a questioning smile on Mrs. Allison’s face.
Two days later Zeb returned from the Quaker City, very much downcast in appearance until he saw Rodney, 292 when his face lighted with pleasure that was unmistakable.
“Looks how Tarleton let ye off easy.”
“He was busy looking after himself. But, Zeb, it seems you failed in your errand. Is Lis––is Miss Danesford sick?”
“No. I reckon,” and Zeb gave a shrewd glance at Rodney, “the wrong man was sent. She looks pale and tired. She has to work hard; she’s runnin’ some sort of a girls’ school, an’ I’d ruther train a yardful o’ raw recruits.”
“I’m sorry you could not persuade her to come,” was all Mrs. Allison said, but she looked at her son, who remained silent.
About two weeks later he announced that he was going to Philadelphia and no one questioned him as to what his errand might be, though it was evident to Zeb that Rodney’s mother was much pleased.
He had recovered from his wound, and good care and plenty to eat had restored some of Nat’s good spirits, so that man and horse made a very pleasing appearance as they set forth on the long journey. Nat found his rider impatient and both were tired when at evening they reached the tavern where they were to stop for the night. After supper Rodney sat on the veranda watching the arrivals and departures, for the house was a much frequented public resort on the main thoroughfare.