Hope had guessed that it was Clay by his riding, and she feared from his haste that some one of her people were ill.So she ran anxiously forward and asked if anything were wrong.
Clay started at her sudden appearance, and gave a short boyish laugh of pleasure.
``I'm so glad you're still up,'' he said.``No, nothing is wrong.'' He stopped in some embarrassment.He had been moved to return by the fact that the little girl he knew was in trouble, and now that he was suddenly confronted by this older and statelier young person, his action seemed particularly silly, and he was at a loss to explain it in any way that would not give offence.
``No, nothing is wrong,'' he repeated.``I came after something.''
Clay had borrowed one of the cloaks the troopers wore at night from the same man who had lent him the horse, and as he stood bareheaded before her, with the cloak hanging from his shoulders to the floor and the star and ribbon across his breast, Hope felt very grateful to him for being able to look like a Prince or a hero in a book, and to yet remain her Mr.Clay at the same time.
``I came to get your sister's fan,'' Clay explained.``She forgot it.''
The young girl looked at him for a moment in surprise and then straightened herself slightly.She did not know whether she was the more indignant with Alice for sending such a man on so foolish an errand, or with Clay for submitting to such a service.
``Oh, is that it?'' she said at last.``I will go and find you one.'' She gave him a dignified little bow and moved away toward the door, with every appearance of disapproval.
``Oh, I don't know,'' she heard Clay say, doubtfully; ``I don't have to go just yet, do I? May I not stay here a little while?''
Hope stood and looked at him in some perplexity.
``Why, yes,'' she answered, wonderingly.``But don't you want to go back? You came in a great hurry.And won't Alice want her fan?''