They stopped just in front of Mrs. Prescott's house.
"You live here?" said the Secretary. "I know your mother. I cannot go in, but I thank you. And Miss Harley lives in the next house. I know her, too—a spirited and beautiful woman. Good-day, Captain Prescott; I shall see you again before you return to the army."
He left Prescott and walked back toward the White House. The young captain entered his own home, thinking of what he had seen and heard, and the impression remained that he had given the Secretary full information about the army.
Prescott received a call the next morning from his new friend Talbot.
"You are invited to a meeting of the Mosaic Club to-night at the house of Mrs. Markham," he said.
"And what is the Mosaic Club?" asked Prescott.
"The Mosaic is a club without organization, by-laws or members!" replied Talbot. "It's just the choice and congenial spirits of Richmond who have got into the habit of meeting at one another's houses. They're worth knowing, particularly Mrs. Markham, the hostess to-night. She heard of you and told me to invite you. Didn't write you a note—stationery's too high."
Prescott looked doubtfully at his mother.
"Why, of course you'll go," she said. "You did not come home to sit here all the time. I would not have you do that."
Talbot called for him shortly after dusk and the two strolled together toward the street where the Markham residence stood.