ee the lights of
Philadelphia off there in the east; to know amid all the gayety and
the balls you reign supreme; to know I could not see you because of
the miserable redcoats that guard the city. If they were ten times
their number I would find my way through them to be once more at your
side, Mistress Jean."

Before she could reply the Highland officer broke in, for he had
ridden up with Ringgold.

"Mistress Jean, it gives me pleasure to be the first to welcome you to
our lines. Your father told us of your coming, and there has been a
rivalry between us as to who should be the one to escort you to the
city."

"That was kind of all of you; but how did you leave my father?"

"Well, and eager for your coming."

He was a splendid-looking young fellow, tall, broad-shouldered, and
somewhat bony, with a voice that rang frank and true. He was a
Highlander, every inch of him, and carried himself with a free and
graceful carriage, and when I heard him tell Mistress Jean that he was
a Farquharson and an old ally of her house, I knew I had at last met a
dangerous rival. For, out of romances, it is not the villain, but the
brave and frank gentleman who is most dangerous to the peace of mind
of lovers, for they see in him what they themselves most admire, and
by which they hope to win their ladies' love.

"Lieutenant Ringgold, now," said Farquharson, "I am ready to receive
Mistress Gordon from your hands, and to conduct her within our lines."

"Far more ready than we are to let her go," answered Dick gallantly;
"but it is the fortune of war." And then the two officers saluted and
the exchange was made.

So Mistress Jean bade us all good-bye right prettily, and I, being on
the off side of her horse from the others, seized her hand as it hung
by her side and kissed it several times. She at first did not withdraw
it, and then, bending over, whispered, "Do not try to enter the city,
for they will hang thee, and I would not lose so true a friend." Here
her voice was very soft and low. I kissed her hand once again and she
was gone.

We watched their dark shadows down the road to the Highland outpost,
as they moved like great blots across the snow. I stood, I do not know
how long, gazing after them, when Dick's hand was on my shoulder.

"Never mind, Frisby," said he, "we shall win the city in the spring,
and then you may win her also."

CHAPTER XVI

THE BALL OF MY LORD HOWE

Many a night after that last parting I