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should have sent some outriders with the ladies, but he did not wish to call any extraordinary attention to the vehicle, and hoped the groom and footman between them would follow his instructions. They had been told to go at top speed, changing teams as often as necessary, and hang the expense. Parkins had packed a brace of pistols under the box seat, after giving the groom a hasty lesson in how to use them.
    Bradford ordered his batman to bring him a large pot of what he called Irish tea, which conveyed that milk was to be left out, and whiskey used instead. It was his favorite restorative in India, where milk had seemed to come curdled from the cows.
    While he sipped and worried and made more plans to counteract the invasion, the carriage pounded its way northward, causing much consternation in the hearts of the occupants. They were strongly inclined to have it stopped and jump out when they saw the number of scarlet jackets milling around town, in the vicinity of the assembly rooms. Major Rooney and Captain Schroeder, cantering past them, lifted their right hands in the quasi-military salute used to honor ladies.
    "I wonder where Forrester is," Miss Simons said, giving voice to her companion's very thought.
    "He is probably inside the rooms. They say the hall has been done up like a Persian tent for the night."
    "I heard at Fischers yesterday he sent all the way to London for a dozen orange trees. The hall will be half full of greenery if they are right. But the Fischers exaggerate everything. How I should love to see it."
    "Papa said to hurry," Nessa answered, but in her heart she was strongly inclined to add to her sorrow by seeing just a little of what she would be missing that night.
    "Bother!" Miss Simons exclaimed suddenly. "I have forgotten to bring along my vinaigrette. I could not dream of undertaking a trip without one. I must have the carriage stopped," she said, already jerking on the check string. "As the assembly hall is only a step away, we might as well take a look in."
    "With a glance at the traveling clock on the seat beside her, Vanessa knew they were behind schedule. She also suspected that had the assembly hall been located next the drapery shop, it would be stockings that were required, but she was not so convinced of her trip's urgency that she undertook to argue with her companion. The carriage was stopped. To satisfy the groom, she did indeed pick up a vinaigrette, but the ladies also went to have a look at the yards of pink and purple silk suspended from the ceiling of the assembly hall, tethered close to the floor with satin rope swags. The orange trees had just arrived. There was some confusion and good-natured bantering going forth amongst the officers who were in charge of distributing them along the wall. At the end of the hall stood a trestle table to be used for refreshments that night. It seemed hardly worth the stop—Forrester had not yet arrived. The scarlet jackets were gratifyingly eager to stop and chat, each wearer asking for a dance that night.
    "You waste your breath, gentlemen. Miss Bradford will not be here," Miss Simons said. Vanessa nudged her elbow, trying to urge her to silence. Papa had not said to be quiet in front of the officers, but this was only because he never dreamed they would be so indiscreet as to stop at the village. An outcry was heard from the men, who had to hear why this was necessary.
    "I am going to visit a friend," was all Vanessa said.
    "Must you go today?" one officer demanded.
    "This very moment," she said, drawing her aunt away. Miss Simons tarried, her glance sliding often to the door to see if Forrester had come yet. At the edge of the group, one gentleman hung back. He was not in scarlet, but stood with a few civilians who were there to gawk. His face took on a look, first of sharp interest, then of suspicion, as he considered this sudden trip north by Colonel Bradford's daughter. It must be an important matter to take her away at such a time. He