My Lady of Doubt

by Randall Parrish

  CHAPTER IV

  THE MISCHIANZA

  I had not intended to remain in Philadelphia through the night. Already Ihad secured the information sought, and now must consider the safest andquickest method of escape. It seemed to me this night, given up torevelry, afforded the best possible opportunity for my safely passing theBritish guard-lines. To-morrow discipline would be resumed, the soldierswould return to their posts and the citizens of the city would againappear on the streets. This would greatly intensify my danger, for, atany moment, I might encounter some one who knew me, who might denounce meto the authorities.

  That this was the exact truth of the situation could not be denied, yet,now, every reckless impulse of my disposition urged me to remain; theinvitation of those laughing blue eyes, the challenge I read in thelady's fair face, the unsolved mystery of her identity, all combined in atemptation I found it impossible to resist. As I rode slowly northward,out of the denser crowd into the almost deserted streets, the shades ofevening already closing about me, the memory of the girl I hadencountered so strangely, and parted with so suddenly, became more andmore alluring, more and more vivid. My thoughts dwelt upon the arch face,the red lips, smiling to reveal the white teeth, the flushing cheeks, themass of soft brown hair revealed beneath the turban, the mocking laughterin the depths of the blue eyes, and the straight, lithe figure, as shemoved swiftly away to rejoin her friends. Who was she, this lady of theBlended Rose? this girl with the dignity of rank, and the carelessness ofyouth? I must know the answer; it was not in young blood to run away.Certain facts regarding her were at least clear already--she must be thedaughter of a loyalist, or else related to some of the English officers;her very presence proved this, while her selection as one of the ladiesof honor, was evidence of high standing socially. And she had dared me,challenged me with her eyes, to remain, and learn more. There was nopromise, no word spoken I could construe into a pledge, and yet there wasinvitation, a suggestion, vague but comprehended, which youth could noteasily ignore. My veins throbbed with anticipation--already was my armabout the slender waist, my eyes looking into her own. For a dance withher, a possible understanding, I was willing to venture life itself.

  I turned about and glanced at the Dragoon riding behind, half tempted toquestion him, but I refrained, not willing to make her the subject ofcamp-fire gossip. It would be a more manly course to work this outmyself, and surely I should meet officers at the ball who would gladlypresent me to the lady. I should be compelled to attend in field uniform,yet circumstances would excuse that, and what little I had seen of herconvinced me she was no stickler for conventionality. The duty soldierwas more apt to interest such a personality than any dandy on dressparade. With a word I dismissed my companion, and turned in to the campof the Yagers, sure of a welcome at their mess-table, and a chance tobrush up my soiled clothes.

  It must have been nearly nine o'clock when, in company with a youngcornet, I rode up to the house given up to festivities, and, turning overour horses to the care of cavalry grooms, climbed the wide steps to thedoor leading into the hall. Interested as I was in observing faces,fearful of possible discovery by some one in the crowd, I failed to notedefinitely the many decorations, yet I remember how the wide hall washung in green and white, each room opening from it possessing a distinctcolor scheme, and how, under the gleaming clusters of lights, andsparkling of glass chandeliers, the gay uniforms of the officers and thebrilliant gowns of the ladies appeared resplendent. The vista of thosegreat rooms, reflected by numerous mirrors, was a scene of confusingbeauty, with flowers everywhere, soft, glowing carpets underfoot, and thesurging crowds passing back and forth. There was scarcely a black coatpresent, to yield touch of sombreness to the picture, but scarlet andblue, green and white, glowing with profusion of gold lace, andglittering with medals, together with gleaming shoulders, ruffles ofwhite lace, and shimmering skirts of silk. All was a riot of color, rich,bewildering, with smiling faces, and laughing lips everywhere. In such aspot, amid such surroundings, war seemed a dream, a far-off delirium.

  Drawn thither by the music, we climbed the broad stairs toward theball-room, passing as we did so, in the upper hall, four drawing-roomscontaining sideboards with refreshments. The ball-room itself was apicture of Oriental magnificence--the walls were delightfully decorated,the ground-work pale blue, panelled with a small, gold bead, the interiorfilled with drooping festoons of flowers in their natural colors. Belowthe surface the ground was of rose pink, the drapery festooned with blue.The effect of these decorations was vastly increased by nearly a hundredmirrors, decked out with rose-pink ribbons and artificial flowers, whilein the intermediate spaces were thirty-four branches with wax lightssimilarly ornamented. No pen of memory can describe the scene, norpicture in the gallant company, resplendent in coloring, now moving backand forth in the evolutions of the minuet.

  My companion disappeared, and, to escape the pressure of those surgingback and forth through the wide doorway, I found passage close to thewall, and half circled the room, finally discovering a halting place inthe recesses of a window, where, partially concealed myself by flowingcurtains, I could gaze out over the brilliant assemblage. Half ashamed ofthe plainness of my own attire, and feeling a stranger and an alien, Iwas yet consciously seeking the one face which had lured me there. I sawfair ladies in plenty, and more than once my heart leaped, only todiscover its mistake. There were so many ladies of the Blended Rose onthe floor as to be confusing, and with their similarity of dress, andpowdered hair, I was never sure until they turned their faces toward methat my patient search was still unrewarded. Yet if she was indeed uponthe floor I saw her not, and my heart grew heavy with delay. But in thissurvey I discovered others--of both sexes--whose names had been mentionedthat afternoon, and recognized the faces of a few officers whom I had metduring my wanderings. Surely some of these would present me to the ladyof my dreams could I but see her, learn her name. Before the music ceasedI was convinced she was not among the dancers; I would search the siderooms, and the apartments below, yet, even as the company sought seats,soldiers crossed the floor, extinguishing the lights, and amid laughter,and repartee, the throng surged toward me, hemming me in closely, as theygathered in eager bunches about the open windows.

  Enough conversation reached me to disclose a promised display offireworks on the lawn, and almost immediately, a magnificent bouquet ofrockets shot up into the black sky, illuminating everything with a glareof fire. This was followed by the lighting up of the triumphal arch, andthe bursting of balloons high overhead. Attracted by the spectacle, I wasstaring out at the dazzling scene, when a voice spoke at my shoulder.

  "'Tis a relief to see even one soldier present ready for duty."

  I turned to look into a pair of steady blue eyes, with a bit of mockinglaughter in their depths, the face revealed clearly in the glare of therockets.

  "Necessity only," I managed to reply. "I can be as gorgeous as theseothers, had I brought a bag with me."

  "No doubt; every British regiment tries to outdo the others in ribbons,and gold lace. Really they become tiresome with such foppery in wartimes. See how they play to-night, like children, the city practicallyunguarded from attack," she waved an ungloved hand toward the darkwithout. "I venture there are men out yonder, sir, who are not dancingand laughing away these hours."

  My cheeks burned.

  "You mean Washington's troops?"

  "Aye! I saw them here in Philadelphia before Sir William came," her voicelowered, yet earnest, "and they are not playing at war; grim, silent,sober-faced men, dressed in odds and ends, not pretty to look at; sometattered and hungry, but they fight hard. Mr. Conway was telling usyesterday of how they suffered all winter long, while we danced andfeasted here, Washington himself sleeping with the snow drifting overhim. You do not know the Americans, for you are not long across thewater, but they are not the kind to be conquered by such child's play asthis."

  "You are an American then?"

  "By birth, yes," unhesitatingly. "We are of tho
se loyal to the King,but--I admire men."

  It was with an effort I restrained my words, eager to proclaim myservice, yet comprehending instantly that I dare not even trust thisplain-spoken girl with the truth. She respected the men, sympathized withthe sacrifices of Washington's little army, contrasted all they enduredwith the profligacy of the English and Hessian troops, and yet remainedloyal to the King's cause. Even as I hesitated, she spoke again.

  "What is your regiment?"

  "The 42nd British Foot."

  "You have not yet been in action in America?"

  "No, but I have just crossed the Jerseys with despatches."

  She shook her head, her cheeks glowing.

  "My home was there when the war began," she explained simply. "Now it ishate, pillage, and plunder everywhere. We fled to Philadelphia for ourlives, and have almost forgotten we ever had a home. We loyalists arepaying a price almost equal to those men with Washington. 'Tis thismemory which makes me so bitter toward those who play amid the ruins."

  "Yet you have seemed to enter into the gay spirit of the occasion," andmy eyes swept over her costume.

  "Oh, I am girl enough to enjoy the glitter, even while the woman in mecondemns it all. You are a soldier--a fighting soldier, I hope--and stillyou are here also seeking pleasure."

  "True; I yielded to temptation, but for which I should never have come."

  "What?"

  "The dare in your eyes this afternoon," I said boldly. "But for what Iread there I should be out yonder riding through the night."

  She laughed, yet not wholly at ease, the long lashes drooping over hereyes.

  "Always the woman; what would you do without my sex to bear yourmistakes?"

  "But was this a mistake? Did I read altogether wrong?"

  "Don't expect a confession from me, sir," demurely. "I have no memory ofany promise."

  "No, the barest suggestion was all your lips gave; it was the eyes thatchallenged."

  "You must have dreamed; perhaps you recall the suggestion?"

  "I took it to mean that you would not be altogether averse to meeting meagain through the kindness of some mutual friend."

  "No doubt you have found such a friend?"

  "I have scarcely seen a face I know to-night," I pleaded. "I cannot evenguess from what place of mystery you appeared so suddenly. So now I throwmyself upon your mercy."

  "I wonder is it quite safe!" hesitatingly. "But, perhaps, the risk isequally great on your part. Ah! the lights go on again."

  "And the band plays a Hungarian Waltz; how better could we cementfriendship than to that measure?"

  "You think so? I am not so sure, and there are many names already on mycard--"

  "Do not look," I interrupted swiftly, "for I claim first choice sincethis afternoon."

  "You do?" and her eyes laughed into mine provokingly. "And I hadforgotten it all; did I, indeed promise you?"

  "Only with your eyes."

  "Oh, my eyes! always my eyes! Well, for once, at least, I will redeemeven that visionary pledge," and her glance swept the room hastily. "ButI advise that you accept my surrender quickly, sir--I am not sure butthis was Captain Grant's dance, and he is coming now."