The rain had now nearly ceased; a cloudy, greyish horizon became visible, and the dim light spreading from a watery sky made objects dimly discernible out of doors.

I hastened back to the shed where I had left the strange maid swathed in her scarlet cape; and found her there, slowly pacing the trampled sod before it.

As I came up with her, she said:

“Why are the light dragoons riding on the Bedford road? Is aught amiss?”

“A very large body of horse has passed our videttes, making toward Ridgefield. Colonel Sheldon thinks it must be Moylan’s regiment.”

“Do you?”

“It may be so.”