“If thee does find him I hope that he will come to Philadelphia,” laughed Betty, who had put up her hair and adopted young lady airs. “I like nice boys, be they English or American.”
“Or French,” put in Peggy slyly. “I’ve heard that thee takes a lesson each morning from one of the aides of Monsieur de la Luzerne, the French minister. Thee needs to be dealt with, Betty.”
“Peggy Owen, Sally hath been telling thee tales out of school,” cried Betty, her face flushing. “When did thee see her?”
“A hit! A hit!” laughed Peggy. “How thee mantles, Betty. Know then that I stayed with Sallie last night, and thereby increased my knowledge as to several matters. She said——”
“I must be going,” uttered Betty hastily. “Good-bye, girls. Come and see me, Harriet, but leave thy cousin at home.”
She darted away before Peggy could call out the merry retort that rose to her lips. Then the maiden turned to Harriet.
“And ’twould be wise for us to go too, Harriet,” she said. “The air begins to grow chill, and thee must not take cold. See! many of the skaters and promenaders are leaving, and soon there will be none left. I did not know that ’twas so late. Is thee tired?”
“No; I believe that the walk hath done me good,” answered Harriet, who did look better. “Still I feel a little cold. Let us walk fast, Peggy.”
Recrossing the bridge they left the gay throng and started briskly down the narrow footway of Front Street. Suddenly the clatter of hoofs was heard, and the maidens turned to see a party of American horse approaching from the direction of Frankford. They were riding at speed, and the girls drew close to the curb of the walk to see them pass. As the dragoons drew near they saw that they were escorting a number of British prisoners.
“Hath there been another battle?” asked Harriet, growing pale.