And this time Nona and Barbara answered together. “Mrs. Curtis could be found at the home of Mère Marie and Anton. From her one might obtain information concerning her son.”
A moment later the two girls and the lieutenant were on their way to the hut of Mère Marie. A little later they returned with the news that Mrs. Curtis had disappeared the day before and the old peasant woman had no knowledge of her whereabouts.
But during their absence Colonel Dalton and Mildred had a long talk together, so the girl herself was able to convince him. He was very severe, he could find little excuse for her foolishness; nevertheless, recognizing at the end Mildred’s innocence and utter inexperience of life, he assured her that she need fear no penalty. The British Government, however, would seek to find the young man calling himself Brooks Curtis, and on his arrest she would be expected to appear.
Finally Mildred was allowed to go up to her room and Barbara and Eugenia went with her. Lady Mathers and Alexina wandered off to express their opinions on the situation.
So by accident Nona Davis was left for a moment standing in the hall with the young English lieutenant. She had seen him several times lately, it was true, and yet she was annoyed at this moment to find him smiling at her in a surprisingly friendly fashion.
From the single rose bush in front of Mère Marie’s cottage even in the darkness he had plucked a rose. Now he extended the rose to Nona.
“Have all Americans poor memories?” he asked. “Or is it because you wish to forget? Once upon a time there was a young man asleep in an English garden and lifting his eyes he saw a fairy princess standing over him with a rose in her dress as yellow as her hair.”
Nona blushed delightfully. “You mean,” she said, “that you are the gardener’s son? Then you are well and back at your post again? I’m so glad.”
Her companion nodded. “I am a son of Adam.”
But at this moment Colonel Dalton, Miss Grey and Lady Dorian made their appearance and the young officer turned to salute his superior.