Oh, I will cast off my gay, costly gown,
And follow him on from town to town,
And I will sell the kaims from my hair,
And follow my true love for e’er mair.”
As her voice died away a lady seated in the shadow, whom those watching had not before noticed, dressed in a pale silk gown and lace cap and kerchief, took her seat at the instrument, and Lady Cornelia, standing up, gaily threw her silk petticoat over her arm and made a deep courtesy to Sir Peyton, who stood opposite, bowing to the ground. Then they began to dance. The music had changed now, and the church delegation began to shuffle their feet uneasily, and take quick uncertain steps until—“Tell it not in Gath,” for the oak that over-shadowed Sir Peyton’s doorway alone was the witness—these staid, silent church members began to bow and curtsy and pirouette in the moonlight beneath Sir Peyton’s window, while inside the house, with the light from the candelabra falling on their silk and jewels, Sir Peyton and his lady swept up and down the polished floor in the stately figures of the minuet. As the music continued, the dancers seemed to gain fresh inspiration, but at last, like a knight of old, Sir Peyton kissed his lady’s hand, the lights went out in the “Rock House,” and the church delegation, with exhilarated but somewhat sheepish countenances, parted company and wended their ways to their respective homes.
Not many days after this occurrence the following report was submitted with much solemnity to the pastor and presiding elders of Zion Church:
“Dr. McGinty and Reverend Sirs: Being appointed by ye reverend gentlemen to investigate certain musick not consistent with ye pious teachings of ye church, said committee will state that they found this music in their own minds most conducive to deep religious meditations, and much sobriety of thought and action.
“Howsoever, said committee advises ye congregation not to linger in ye pathway near ye seats of ye mighty in high places, for ye machinations of ye evil one are past ye understanding of man.
“Respectfully submitted.
“JONAS FRAME,
“OBADIAH DILLWEED,
“KESIAH TROTTER.”