"Aye, she'll return sometime to-morrow; but for how long is for herself and the other to decide."
Then he explained: "The British have a man of ours, one Captain Pickett, a valiant soldier, with a stout arm and true heart. They have had him these three months, a prisoner in Boston, and we have been most anxious to bring about his exchange. General Washington has now arranged this through Southorn, who is to return to-morrow to Boston, and Captain Pickett is to be sent to us. After that, as I have said, we have no right to dictate Dorothy's movements. Captain Southorn has told me that he should return to England as soon as may be."
"Then," said Mary in a tone of conviction, and the tears springing to her eyes, "Dot will go with him."
"Aye, belike," he sighed, "for they love one another truly."
"And you, Jack, do you—can you look at and speak to this man with any tolerance?" demanded his wife, the asperity of her voice seeming to dry away the tears.
"I try to do so, for Dot's sake, and for what he is to her. I've found him to be a gentleman, and a right manly fellow, despite the prank of which he was guilty."
"Well, I shall hate him the longest day I live!"
Mary could say nothing more, for Mistress Knollys and Hugh now came in from another room, where they had been together.
Dorothy had passed this room on her way up the stairs, and seeing Hugh, stopped, while he came forward quickly to meet her.
"Oh, Hugh, but I am truly glad to see you once more!" she exclaimed. "How long, how very long it seems since you went away!" And there were tears shining in the eyes she raised to his face.