Alexis finally appeared, sleepy and astonished. Colonel Burr, ever considerate of servants, never summoned them at a late hour.

'Yes, sir, master?'

'Wake up Dick and tell him to saddle Selim quickly. I wish to go out.'

CHAPTER SIX

THE Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens had recently been moved from town to Bayard's Mount on upper Broadway near Spring Street. Delacroix, the owner, had bought the old Bayard homestead and planted the former farmland with a profusion of ornamental shrubs threaded by brick paths. In the center, dominating the gardens, stood a colossal equestrian statue of General Washington. Around its base were scattered small wooden refreshment tables.

The orchestra and singers were grouped on a high platform romantically erected in a grove of maples, so that their music might give the effect of floating disembodied from amongst the rustling leaves.

Two small fountains plashed into granite basins and sparkled with prismatic lights from fireworks and colored flares that were much admired features of the entertainment.

One of these illuminations was in progress as Theodosia and the others entered the gates. A rocket whizzed up across the black sky, exploded with a deafening bang, and showered the trees with red, white, and blue stars.

'Tiens, c'est joli,' remarked Natalie. The Count and Joseph murmured agreement. Theo said nothing. For despite the fitful light of pine torches and candles, she had seen the captain at once. He sat alone at a table near one of the fountains, his long legs crossed, his arms folded, scanning the face of each passer-by. Theo felt as if the rocket had exploded in her own breast.

She saw him start as he recognized her. Her fingers tightened around her fan until one of the sandalwood sticks snapped. They were no nearer meeting each other here than they had been at the theater. Miss Burr of Richmond Hill, hemmed in by a fiancé, a count, and the conventional Natalie, could not make overtures to an unknown captain. She still retained enough reason to realize that she had somehow been precipitated into an unknown country whose laws to her companions would seem incredible.

Though totally unaccustomed to guile, again her desperation furnished her with a scheme. It would never have worked had Aaron been there, but he—oh, most fortunately—was not.

'Shall we walk around a bit?' she asked Joseph.

'By all means,' said Natalie. 'It will be agreeable.'

Theo pouted. 'But Joseph and I want to be by ourselves. You and the Count have an ice here, and wait for us.'

Natalie laughed and obediently sat down. It was good to see Theo acting a bit amoureuse, and after all with one's fiancé——

Theo felt a flick of shame at Joseph's pleased smile, at the possessive way in which he pulled her hand through his arm and led her down one of the shadowed paths. But she was caught up beyond shame or pity, or any emotion she had ever known.