“No, she will not, for I had her not in mind when I plucked them.”
“Oh!”
“I was thinking of—of—’n faith, Joscelyn, I was thinking of Mistress Betty Clevering.”
“Of Betty Clevering! Red roses for Betty Clevering!”
“They are not all red. See this one; it is near as buff as her own party colour.”
The girl nodded, smiling at his eagerness. He walked the length of the room, then stopped before her abruptly.
“Joscelyn, I leave for the front to-night.”
“I did not know—”
“Yes; I have but waited orders from Lord Cornwallis. This morning a messenger brought them, and I am to report at once. His lordship has been most kind because of my father’s friendship when they were boys, and I am appointed aide upon his staff.”