leather portmanteau in addition to the heavy bearskin holster.  His large cavalry-boots were well bespattered, and his whole bearing was that of an officer on duty, rather than of a gallant bent on visiting lady fair.  His companion was a mere youth, seemingly not over seventeen, well mounted also, and dressed in the simple uniform of an orderly, but evidently the friend and social equal of his superior officer.  The young man sat his horse with the ease and grace of one born to the saddle, and his fiery chestnut seemed to know and understand his rider thoroughly.  Like the other, he was provided with holsters and portmanteau, a heavy blue cavalry cloak being strapped over the unstuffed saddle-tree.  Entering the drawing-room, Colonel Washington presented his companion to Miss Elliott as “Mr. Peyton of Virginia,” and both gentlemen were in turn presented to Miss Stead, who received their courtly bows with one of those graceful, sweeping courtesies which may be ranked among the lost arts of a past generation.  Billy had followed the guests to the parlor-door, where he stood as if waiting orders.

“You seem to have ridden far,” said:  the fair hostess when the ordinary salutations had passed.  “Let me order your horses to the stable to be fed.”

“I thank you very kindly, miss, but there will be scarcely time, for we are under marching orders, and must be in Charleston before sunset,” replied the colonel with a bow; and there was something in his tone which faintly suggested a mental desire to see the said marching orders in Jericho.

Perhaps young Peyton detected this, for he said immediately, “I think we had best accept Miss Elliott’s kindness, for we have a long ride before us, and we cannot tell what orders may be awaiting us at the end of it.”

“I believe Peyton is right,” said the colonel, “and if you will permit me I will ask him to give some directions to the servant.”

Billy, however, had heard enough to give him his cue, and had disappeared, nor did the summons of the bell bring him back until full ten minutes had elapsed.  When he did return it was to bring in two more tumblers of punch, but this time of “the regulation size” and strength, which were handed to the guests and disposed of with bow and sentiment; and then the young orderly went out with him to see the horses stripped and the holsters deposited on the piazza before the animals were led off to be fed.

“We shall have to defer accepting your invitation to attend the dress parade until your return to camp,” said Miss Elliott.

“I regret to be obliged to say that the fortunes of war have deprived us for the present of that honor.  My orders extend to the command, which broke camp this morning and is now on its march to Charleston.”

“Oh, what are we to do?  We felt so safe while they were near us.”