’Twas done so cleverly and with such an air that even Dick, who had known her from childhood, was struck dumb with admiration, as his face sufficiently advertised.  And, indeed, I had much ado to play my own part with any decent self-possession, though I did make shift to bow stiffly, and to say:  “I see I should have brought the Iretondene title deeds with me to make you sure that I am not my rebel cousin John, Mistress Margery.  Your servant, Colonel Tarleton; and yours, Mr. Richard.”

Dick’s bow was an elaborate hiding of his tell-tale face; but the colonel’s was the slightest of nods, and I could feel the sloe-black eyes of him boring into my very soul.

Had my lady given him but a moment’s time I make no doubt he would have come instantly at the truth and the little farce would have been turned into a tragedy on the spot.  But she gave him no time.  The spinet in the ball-room alcove was tinkling out the overture to a minuet, and she laid the tips of her dainty fingers on the colonel’s arm.

“This will be ours to walk through, will it not, Colonel Tarleton?” she said, playing the sprightly minx to the very climax of perfection.  Then she dipped us a curtsy. “Au revoir, gentlemen.  ’Tis a thousand pities you had not joined sooner and so had the red coat and small-sword to grace you here.”

When they were gone, Dick laughed sardonically.

“Saw you ever such a cool-blood little jade in all your life?  ’Twas with me as it was with you; I, too, stumbled upon them, and the colonel bustled me and set his heel on my foot.  I daresay I should have had myself in irons in another moment but for Madge.  She slipped in between and introduced us as sweetly as you please.”

“Nevertheless,” said I, “the colonel recognized us both.”

“No!  Think you so?”

“’Tis certain enough to play upon.  What we do now must be done quickly or not at all.  What have you overheard?”

He swore softly.  “Never a cursed word; less than nothing of any interest to Dan Morgan.”

“We must try again.  ’Twill surely be talked of here if the army is about to move.  Do you take a turn in the anteroom and meet me in a quarter of an hour at the outer door.”

At the word, Dick promptly lost himself in the throng whilst I made a slow circuit of the refreshment table.  Once I thought I had the clue when a girl hanging on the arm of an infantry lieutenant said:  “Will it be true that you will presently go out to hunt the rebels down, Mr. Thornicroft?” But the prudent lieutenant smiled and put her off cleverly, leaving his fair questioner—­and me—­none the wiser.

I went on, drifting aimlessly from group to group and dallying of set purpose.  If I had read Colonel Tarleton’s glance aright, the moments were growing diamond-precious; but as yet neither half of my errand was done.  Come what might, I must see Margery again and have her tell me where and how to find the priest; and ’twas borne in upon me that she would come back to seek me as soon as she could be free of her partner in the dance.