"My answer," said I quietly, "is always the same: Sir William's son has given his parole."
They went out after their Indian, which disturbed me greatly, as I could not account for Hiakatoo's presence at Johnstown, and I was ill at ease seeing him so apparently in charge of three known Tories, and one of them a deputy of Guy Johnson.
However, I took my leave of Sir John, who gave me a wavering hand and stared at me blankly. Then I kissed the ladies' hands and went out to the porch where Billy waited with my mare, Kaya.
Lady Johnson came to the door as I mounted.
"Don't forget us when again you are in Johnstown," she said.
Claudia, too, appeared and stepped daintily out on the dewy grass, lifting her petticoat.
"What a witching night," she exclaimed mischievously, "—what a night for love! Do you mark the young moon, Jack, and how all the dark is saturated with a sweet smell of new buds?"
"I mark it all," said I, laughing, "and, as for love, why, I love it all, Claudia,—moon, darkness, scent of young leaves, the far forest still as death, and the noise of the brook yonder."
"I meant a sweeter love," quoth she, coming to my stirrup and laying both hands upon my saddle.
"There is no sweeter love," said I, still laughing, "—none happier than the love of this silvery world of night which God made to heal us of the blows of day."