The care of Lawton had anticipated every improvement that their
situation would allow, and blazing fires were made before the party
arrived. The dragoons, who had been charged with this duty, had conveyed
a few necessary articles of furniture, and Miss Peyton and her
companions, on alighting, found something like habitable apartments
prepared for their reception. The mind of Sarah had continued to wander
during the ride, and, with the ingenuity of the insane, she accommodated
every circumstance to the feelings that were uppermost in her own bosom.
"It is impossible to minister to a mind that has sustained such a blow,"
said Lawton to Isabella Singleton. "Time and God's mercy can alone cure
it, but something more may be done towards the bodily comfort of all.
You are a soldier's daughter, and used to scenes like this; help me to
exclude some of the cold air from these windows."
Miss Singleton acceded to his request, and while Lawton was endeavoring,
from without, to remedy the defect of broken panes, Isabella was
arranging a substitute for a curtain within.
"I hear the cart," said the trooper, in reply to one of her
interrogatories. "Betty is tender-hearted in the main; believe me, poor
George will not only be safe, but comfortable."
"God bless her, for her care, and bless you all," said Isabella,
fervently.
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