it over! I'll let
myself in." He was gone walking rapidly, not toward the big gate and the
road, but across to the fields, a little stream, and a strip that had
been left of primeval forest. Unity and Molly, moving back to the
doorstep, sat there whispering together in the light from the hall.
Judith and Richard were left almost alone, Judith leaning against a
white pillar, Cleave standing a step or two below her.

"You have been in Richmond?" she said. "Molly had a letter from
Miriam--"

"Yes, I went to find, if possible, rifled muskets for my company. I did
not do as well as I had hoped--the supply is dreadfully small--but I
secured a few. Two thirds of us will have to manage, until we can do
better, with the smoothbore and even with the old flintlock. I have seen
a breech-loader made in the North. I wish to God we had it!"

"You are going back to Botetourt?"

"As soon as it is dawn. The company will at once offer its services to
the governor. Every moment now is important."

"At dawn.... You will be its captain?"

"I suppose so. We will hold immediately an election of officers--and
that's as pernicious a method of officering companies and regiments as
can be imagined! 'They are volunteers, offering all--they can be trusted
to choose their leaders.' I don't perceive the sequence."

"I think that you will make a good captain."

He smiled. "Why, then, the clumsy thing will work for once! I'll try to
be a good captain.--The clock is striking. I do not know when nor how I
shall see Greenwood again. Judith, you'll wish me well?"

"Will I wish you well, Richard? Yes, I will wish you well. Do not go at
dawn."

He looked at her. "Do you ask me to wait?"

"Yes, I ask you. Wait till--till later in the morning. It is so sad to
say good-bye."

"I will wait then." The light from the hall lay unbroken on the
doorstep. Molly and Unity had disappeared. A little in yellow lamplight,
chiefly in silver moonlight the porch lay deserted and quiet before the
murmuring oaks, above the fair downward sweep of grass and flowers. "It
is long," said Cleave, "since I have been here. The day after the
tournament--"

"Yes."

He came nearer. "Judith, was it so hard to forgive--that tournament? You
had both crowns, after all."

"I do not know," said Judith, "what you mean."

"Do you remember--do you remember last Christmas when, going to
Lauderdale, I passed you on your way to Silver Hill?"

"Yes, I remember."

"I was on my w