“Thee has come at last,” cried Peggy, a little catch coming into her voice. “Oh, Harriet! Harriet! why didn’t thee come before? Or write?”
“Why, I came as soon as I could, Peggy. When I knew that the Forty-third was to be sent down I went to Sir Henry for permission to accompany the regiment. The colonel’s wife bore him company, which made my coming possible. Oh, the voyage was delightsome! I love the sea. And the military also. You should have heard the things they said to ‘this sweet creature,’ as they styled me. And how is Clifford?”
“He is no longer an invalid, Harriet. He hath quit the hospital, and taken rooms at the Raleigh Tavern. Thee can see the building from here if thee will turn thy head. ’Tis the long low building with the row of dormer windows in the roof. He talks also of returning to the army, but hath been waiting to hear from thee. He hath worried. I am so glad that thou hast come, and he will be glad also. I do believe that thee grows more beautiful all the time.”
“Sorry that I can’t say the same for you,” laughed Harriet, pinching Peggy’s cheek playfully. “What have you been doing to yourself? You are pale, and thinner than when I saw you last. Mercy! how long ago it seems, yet ’twas but the first week in last month. I have had such a good time in New York, Peggy,” she ran on without waiting for answers to her questions. “The routs and the assemblies were vastly entertaining. And the plays! Oh, Peggy, you should have been there. I thought of you often, and wished you with me, you little gray mouse of a cousin! Why do you wear that frock? I like it not.”
“Did thee in truth think of me?” asked Peggy wistfully. “With all that pleasuring I wonder that thee had time.”
“Well, I did of a certainty. Particularly after your mother’s letter came telling me about Clifford, and how you had gone down to care for him. Of course I knew that he was in good hands, so I didn’t worry. Is this the hospital?”
“Yes,” answered the Quakeress who had been leading Harriet toward the spot during the conversation. “I left thy brother in the palace grounds, and I thought thee would like to be taken directly to him. Hath Captain Williams come in yet?” she inquired of an attendant.
“Captain Williams,” repeated Harriet who seemed to be in high spirits. “How droll that sounds! Are these the palace grounds?” as Peggy on receiving the attendant’s answer led the way into them. “Oh! there is Clifford!”
She made a little rush forward with outstretched arms as she caught sight of her brother, crying joyously:
“Clifford! Clifford!”