Owen looking out of the calash which by this
time had come up to where they were. "Why, child, how came thee here?
Robert thought----"

"Yes, I know," cried Harriet. "I know what Robert thought, but 'tis as
you see, madam my cousin. If I may ride with you I will explain all."
Into her voice there crept the supplicating quaver that Peggy
remembered so well. Her mother responded instantly to the plea.

"Why, Harriet, thou art doubly welcome. Once for the stranger whom we
thought thee, and again for thyself. Get right in with me, child, and
tell me all that hath befallen thee. Why, 'tis long since I have seen
thee."

"How beautiful she is," spoke Robert Dale as he and Peggy rode on
after Harriet had climbed into the coach beside Mrs. Owen. "How
beautiful she is!"

"Is she not?" asked Peggy eagerly. "Methinks she grows more so every
time I see her. Does thee not think so too, Robert?"

"I do not know, Peggy. This is the first time I have ever seen
her. When you were at Middlebrook I was with General Arnold in
Philadelphia. When you were in Philadelphia I was with the army,
and so you see, Peggy, this is my first glimpse of your cousin."

"Why, so it is, Robert. No wonder thee thinks her beautiful when 'tis
the first time thee has seen her. Every one does. Are not her eyes
dazzling?"

"They are, Peggy. Now tell me why she appeared in this garb here."

"It was to see how Clifford fared," answered Peggy. "She hath not
heard from him since Yorktown, and she wished to see for herself how
he was." And forthwith she related all that Harriet had told her of
the matter.

"That is very brave, Peggy," he declared with admiration. "Brave and
daring! What love she must bear him to risk so much to see him! I
should like to know her better."

"Thee shall, Robert," she cried, warmly pleased with this
whole-hearted commendation of her beautiful cousin. "Harriet rides
well, and she shall ride with thee part of the way."

And so with Harriet alternating with Peggy in riding Star the rest of
the journey was passed. They came into Lancaster the next day, the
tall spire of the court-house with the two faces of its clock being
the first thing to be spied. The town swarmed with soldiers. It seemed
to Peggy that there was one on every corner. In truth Lancaster was
in fair way toward being a military camp. The Americans found much
difficulty in disposing of their prisoners. They had no military posts
regularly fitted for the purpose