"And are his aid and crutch in his old age," said Lady Johnson, gently. "What wonder, then, he wishes to adopt you, Penelope Grant."
"If you will be my companion," cried Claudia, "I shall dare adopt you, pretty as you are—and risk losing every lover I possess!"
The Scottish girl's brown eyes widened at that; but even Lady Johnson laughed, and I saw the loveliest smile begin to glimmer on Penelope's soft lips.
"Thank heaven for a better humour in the house," thought I, and was pleased that Claudia had made a gayety of the affair.
I went to the window and looked out. Smoke from the camp fires of the Continentals made a haze all along the reedy waterfront. I saw their sentries walking their posts; heard the noise of their axes in the bush; caught a glimpse of my own men lying in the orchard on the new grass, and Nick cooking jerked meat at a little fire of coals, which gleamed in the grass like a heap of dusty jewels.
And, as I stood a-watching, I felt a touch at my elbow, and turned to face the girl, Penelope.
"Your promise, sir," she said. "You have not forgotten?"
"No," I replied, flushing again under Claudia's mocking gaze. "But you should first eat something."
"And you, also," said Lady Johnson, coming to me and laying both hands upon my shoulders.
She looked into my eyes very earnestly, very sadly.