“Nay, Clowes, ye know I’ve passed my word to Hennion, and—”
“Who’ll not outlive the war, ye may make sure. The fellow ’s made himself known through the army by the way he puts himself forward in every engagement. Some one of these devilish straight-shooting riflemen will release that promise for ye."
“I trust not; but if it so falls, there ’d still be a bar to your wish. The girl dislikes ye very—”
“Dost not know that is no bad beginning? Nay, man, see if I bring her not round, once I have a clear field. I’ve thought it out even now while I’ve waited for ye. We’ll sail for New York on one of the ships that carries Lord Cornwallis’s reinforcements to Clinton, and as ’t will be some years still ere the country is entirely subdued, out of the question ’t will be that ye go to Greenwood. I will resign my post, being now rich enough, and we’ll all go to London, where I’ll take a big house, and ye shall be my guests. Once let the girl taste of high life, with its frocks and jewels and carriages, and all that tempts the sex, and she’ll quickly see their provider in a new light.”
“’T is little ye know of my lass, Clowes.”
“Tush! I know women to the very bottom; and is she more than a woman?”
Their conference was ended by the call to supper, and in the hallway the baron attempted as hearty a greeting with the ladies as he had with the squire. Though taken by surprise, a distant curtsey was all he gained from them, and do his best, he could get little of their conversation during the meal.
On rising, Philemon, who had been a guest at table, drew the squire to one side. “The legion is ordered on a foray to destroy the military stores at Albemarle Court-house, and in this hot weather we try to do our riding at night, to spare our cattle, so we shall start away about eleven o’clock. His Lordship tells me that the army will begin to fall down to the coast in a day or two, so it may be a some time before I see you again. Have you money?”
“A bare trifle, but I’ll not further rob ye, lad, till I get to the end of my purse.
“Do not fear to take from me, sir. A major’s pay is very different from a cornet’s. ’T will make me feel easier, and, in fact, ’t will be safer with you than with me,” Phil said, as he forced a rouleau of coin into the squire’s palm. Then, not waiting for Mr. Meredith’s protests or thanks, he crossed to where Janice was talking with three of the staff and broke in upon their conversation: “Janice, a soldier goes or stays not as he pleases, but as the bugle orders, and there is more work cut out for us, but this evening I am free. Wilt come and stroll along the river-bank for an hour?”