Itrevealedonthelipsofthosewhohadbeenmortallywoundedandhadturnedupontheirsidethereliefwhichdeathhadbroughttheirsuffering,sometimesshowninafaintsmile。Mountinghigher,itglancedupontheactualbattleline,curiouslycurvingfortheshelterofwalls,fences,andbreastworks,andherethedeadlay,evenaswhentheylayandfired,theirfacesproneinthegrassbuttheirmusketsstillrestingacrossthebreastworks。Exposedtograpeandcanisterfromthebatteryontheridge,deathhadcometothemmercifullyalso——throughtheheadandthroat。Andnowthewholefieldlaybareinthesunlight,brokenwithgrotesqueshadowscastfromsitting,crouching,half-recumbentbutalwaysrigidfigures,whichmighthavebeeneffigiesontheirownmonuments。
Onehalf-kneelingsoldier,withheadbowedbetweenhisstiffenedhands,mighthavestoodforacarvenfigureofGriefatthefeetofhisdeadcomrade。Acaptain,shotthroughthebrainintheactofmountingawall,laysidewayshalfacrossit,hislipspartedwithawordofcommand;hisswordstillpointingoverthebarrierthewaythattheyshouldgo。
Butitwasnotuntilthesunhadmountedhigherthatitstruckthecentralhorrorofthefieldandseemedtolingerthereindazzlingpersistence,nowandthenreturningtoitinstartlingflashesthatitmightbeseenofmenandthosewhobroughtsuccor。Atinybrookhadrunobliquelynearthebattleline。Itwasherethat,thenightbeforethebattle,friendandfoehadfilledtheircanteenssidebysidewithsoldierlyrecklessness——orperhapsahigherinstinct——purposelyignoringeachother’spresence;itwasherethatthewoundedhadafterwardscrept,crawled,anddraggedthemselves,heretheyhadpushed,wrangled,striven,andfoughtforadraughtofthatpreciousfluidwhichassuagedthethirstoftheirwounds——orhappilyputthemoutoftheirmiseryforever;hereoverborne,crushed,suffocatedbynumbers,pouringtheirownbloodintotheflood,andtumblingafteritwiththeirhelplessbodies,theydammedthestream,untilrecoiling,redandangry,ithadburstitsbanksandoverflowedthecotton-fieldinabroadpoolthatnowsparkledinthesunlight。Butbelowthishumandam——amileaway——wherethebrookstillcreptsluggishly,theambulancehorsessniffedandstartedfromit。
Thedetailmovedonslowly,doingtheirworkexpeditiously,andapparentlycallously,butreallyonlywiththatmechanicalmovementthatsavesemotion。Onlyoncetheyweremovedtoanoutbreakofindignation,——thediscoveryofthebodyofanofficerwhosepocketswereturnedinsideout,butwhosehandwasstilltightlygraspedonhisbuttonedwaistcoat,asifresistingtheoutragethathadbeendonewhilestillinlife。Asthemendisengagedthestiffenedhandsomethingslippedfromthewaistcoattotheground。Thecorporalpickeditupandhandedittohisofficer。Itwasasealedpacket。
Theofficerreceiveditwiththecarelessnesswhichlongexperienceofthesepatheticmissivesfromthedyingtotheirlivingrelationshadinduced,anddroppeditinthepocketofhistunic,withthehalf-dozenothersthathehadpickedupthatmorning,andmovedonwiththedetail。Alittlefurtherontheyhalted,intheattitudeofattention,asamountedofficerappeared,ridingslowlydowntheline。
Therewassomethingmorethanthehabitualrespectoftheirsuperiorintheirfacesashecameforward。Foritwasthegeneralwhohadcommandedthebrigadethedaybefore,——themanwhohadleapedwithoneboundintotheforemostrankofmilitaryleaders。
Itwashisinvinciblespiritthathadledtheadvance,heldbackdefeatagainstoverwhelmingnumbers,sustainedtherally,impressedhissubordinateofficerswithhisownundeviatingpurpose,andeveninfusedthemwithanalmostsuperstitiousbeliefinhisdestinyofsuccess。Itwasthismanwhohaddonewhatitwasdeemedimpossibletodo,——whatevenatthetimeitwasthoughtunwiseandunstrategictodo,——whohadheldaweakposition,ofapparentlynoimportance,underthemandateofanincomprehensibleorderfromhissuperior,whichatbestaskedonlyforasacrificeandwasrewardedwithavictory。Hehaddecimatedhisbrigade,butthewoundedanddyinghadcheeredhimashepassed,andthesurvivorshadpursuedtheenemyuntilthebuglecalledthemback。Forsucharecordhelookedstilltooyoungandscholarly,albeithishandsomefacewasdarkandenergetic,andhismannertaciturn。
Hisquickeyehadalreadycaughtsightoftherifledbodyoftheofficer,andcontracted。Asthecaptainofthedetailsalutedhimhesaidcurtly,——
\"Ithoughttheordersweretofireuponanyonedesecratingthedead?\"
\"Theyare,General;butthehyenasdon’tgiveusachance。That’sallyonderpoorfellowsavedfromtheirclaws,\"repliedtheofficer,asheheldupthesealedpacket。\"Ithasnoaddress。\"
Thegeneraltookit,examinedtheenvelope,thrustitintohisbelt,andsaid,——
\"Iwilltakechargeofit。\"
Thesoundofhorses’hoofscamefromtherockyroadsidebeyondthebrook。Bothmenturned。Anumberoffieldofficerswereapproaching。
\"Thedivisionstaff,\"saidthecaptain,inalowervoice,fallingback。
Theycameslowlyforward,acentralfigureonagrayhorseleadinghere——asinhistory。Ashort,thick-setmanwithagrizzledbeardcloselycroppedaroundaninscrutablemouth,andtheseriousformalityofarespectablecountrydeaconinhisaspect,whicheventhemajor-generalsblazonontheshoulder-strapofhisloosetuniconhissoldierlyseatinthesaddlecouldnotentirelyobliterate。
Hehadevidentlyperceivedthegeneralofbrigade,andquickenedhishorseasthelatterdrewup。Thestafffollowedmoreleisurely,butstillwithsomecuriosity,towitnessthemeetingofthefirstgeneralofthearmywiththeyoungest。Thedivisiongeneralsaluted,butalmostinstantlywithdrewhisleatherngauntlet,andofferedhisbaredhandtothebrigadier。Thewordsofheroesarescant。Thedrawn-updetail,thewaitingstafflistened。Thiswasalltheyheard:——
\"Hallecktellsmeyou’refromCalifornia?\"
\"Yes,General。\"
\"Ah!Ilivedthere,too,intheearlydays。\"
\"Wonderfulcountry。Developedgreatlysincemytime,Isuppose?\"
\"Yes,General。\"
\"Greatresources;finestwheat-growingcountryintheworld,sir。
Youdon’thappentoknowwhattheactualcropwasthisyear?\"
\"Hardly,General!butsomethingenormous。\"
\"Yes,Ihavealwayssaiditwouldbe。Haveacigar?\"
Hehandedhiscigar-casetothebrigadier。Thenhetookonehimself,lighteditatthesmoulderingendoftheonehehadtakenfromhismouth,wasabouttothrowthestumpcarelesslydown,but,suddenlyrecollectinghimself,leanedoverhishorse,anddroppeditcarefullyafewinchesawayfromthefaceofadeadsoldier。
Then,straighteninghimselfinthesaddle,heshovedhishorseagainstthebrigadier,movinghimalittlefurtheron,whileaslightmovementofhishandkeptthestafffromfollowing。
\"Aheavylosshere!\"
\"I’mafraidso,General。\"
\"Itcouldn’tbehelped。Wehadtorushinyourbrigadetogaintime,andoccupytheenemy,untilwecouldchangefront。\"
Theyounggenerallookedattheshrewd,coldeyesofhischief。
\"Changefront?\"heechoed。
\"Yes。Beforeagunwasfired,wediscoveredthattheenemywasincompletepossessionofallourplans,andkneweverydetailofourforwardmovement。Allhadtobechanged。\"
Theyoungermannowinstantlyunderstoodtheincomprehensibleorderofthedaybefore。
Thegeneralofdivisioncontinued,withhisfirsttouchofofficialformality,——
\"Youunderstand,therefore,GeneralBrant,thatinthefaceofthisextraordinarytreachery,theutmostvigilanceisrequired,andacompletesurveillanceofyourcampfollowersandcivilians,todetecttheactualspywithinourlines,orthetraitorweareharboring,whohasbecomepossessedofthisinformation。Youwilloverhaulyourbrigade,andweedoutallsuspects,andinthepositionwhichyouaretotaketo-morrow,andtheplantationyouwilloccupy,youwillseethatyourprivatequarters,aswellasyourlines,areclearedofallbutthoseyoucanvouchfor。\"
Hereinedinhishorse,againextendedhishand,saluted,andrejoinedhisstaff。
Brigadier-GeneralClarenceBrantremainedforamomentwithhisheadbentinthoughtfulcontemplationofthecoolnessofhisveteranchiefunderthisexcitingdisclosure,andthestrategywithwhichhehadfrustratedthetraitor’ssuccess。Thenhiseyecaughtthesealedpacketinhisbelt。Hemechanicallydrewitout,andbroketheseal。Theenvelopewasfilledwithpapersandmemorandums。
Butashelookedatthemhisfacedarkenedandhisbrowknit。Heglancedquicklyaroundhim。Thestaffhadtrottedaway;thecaptainandhisdetailwerecontinuingtheirworkatalittledistance。Hetookalongbreath,forhewasholdinginhishandatracingoftheircamp,evenofthepositionhewastooccupytomorrow,andadetailedaccountofthemovements,plans,andforceofthewholedivisionashadbeenarrangedincouncilofwarthedaybeforethebattle!Buttherewasnoindicationofthewriterorhisintentions。
Hethrustthepapershurriedlybackintotheenvelope,butplacedit,thistime,inhisbreast。Hegallopedtowardsthecaptain。
\"Letmeseeagaintheofficerfromwhomyoutookthatpacket!\"
Thecaptainledhimtowherethebodylay,withothers,extendedmoredecentlyonthegrassawaitingremoval。GeneralBrantwithdifficultyrepressedanejaculation。
\"Why,it’soneofourownmen,\"hesaidquickly。
\"Yes,General。Theysayit’sLieutenantWainwright,aregular,ofthepaymastergeneral’sdepartment。\"
\"Thenwhatwashedoinghere?\"askedGeneralBrantsternly。
\"Ican’tmakeout,sir,unlesshewentintothelastadvanceasavolunteer。Wantedtoseethefight,Isuppose。Hewasadashingfellow,aWestPointer,——andaSoutherner,too,——aVirginian。\"
\"ASoutherner!\"echoedBrantquickly。
\"Yes,sir。\"
\"Searchhimagain,\"saidBrantquietly。Hehadrecoveredhisusualcoolness,andasthecaptainagainexaminedthebody,hetookouthistabletsandwroteafewlines。ItwasanordertosearchthequartersofLieutenantWainwrightandbringallpapers,letters,anddocumentstohim。Hethenbeckonedoneofthedetailtowardshim。\"Takethattotheprovostmarshalatonce。Well,Captain,\"
headdedcalmly,astheofficeragainapproachedhim,\"whatdoyoufind?\"
\"Onlythis,sir,\"returnedthecaptain,withahalfsmile,producingasmallphotograph。\"Isupposeitwasoverlooked,too。\"
HehandedittoBrant。
Therewasasuddenfixingofhiscommandingofficer’seyes,buthisfacedidnototherwisechange。
\"It’stheusualfind,General。Alwaysaphotograph!Butthistimeahandsomewoman!\"
\"Very,\"saidClarenceBrantquietly。Itwastheportraitofhisownwife。
CHAPTERII。
Nevertheless,socompletewashiscontrolofvoiceandmannerthat,asherodeontohisquarters,noonewouldhavedreamedthatGeneralBranthadjustlookeduponthelikenessofthewifefromwhomhehadpartedinangerfouryearsago。Stilllesswouldtheyhavesuspectedthestrangefearthatcameuponhimthatinsomewayshewasconnectedwiththetreacheryhehadjustdiscovered。Hehadheardfromheronlyonce,andthenthroughherlatehusband’slawyer,inregardtoherCalifornianproperty,andbelievedthatshehadgonetoherrelationsinAlabama,whereshehadidentifiedherselfwiththeSoutherncause,eventothesacrificeofherprivatefortune。HehadheardhernamementionedintheSouthernpressasafascinatingsocietyleader,andevencoadjutrixofSouthernpoliticians,——buthehadnoreasontobelievethatshehadtakensoactiveorsodesperateapartinthestruggle。HetriedtothinkthathisuneasinesssprangfromhisrecollectionoftheprevioustreacheryofCaptainPinckney,andthepartthatshehadplayedintheCalifornianconspiracy,althoughhehadlongsinceacquittedherofthebetrayalofanynearertrust。Buttherewasafatefulsimilarityinthetwocases。TherewasnodoubtthatthisLieutenantWainwrightwasatraitorinthecamp,——thathehadsuccumbedtotheusualsophistryofhisclassinregardtohissuperiorallegiancetohisnativeState。Butwastheretheinducementofanotheremotion,orwasthephotographonlythesouvenirofafascinatingpriestessofrebellion,whomthedeadmanhadmet?Therewasperhapslessoffeelingthanscorninthefirstsuggestion,buthewasneverthelessrelievedwhentheprovostmarshalfoundnootherincriminatingpapersinWainwright’seffects。Nordidherevealtothedivisiongeneralthefindingofthephotograph。Itwassufficienttodisclosetheworkofthetraitorwithoutaddingwhatmightbeacluetohiswife’sparticipationinit,nearorremote。Therewasriskenoughintheformercourse,——whichhisdutymadeimperative。Hehardlydaredtothinkofthepastday’sslaughter,which——therewasnodoubtnow——
hadbeenduetothepreviousworkofthespy,andhowhisbrigadehadbeenselected——bytheironyofFate——tosufferforandyetretrieveit。Ifshehadhadahandinthiswickedplot,oughthetospareher?Orwashisdestinyandherstobethusmonstrouslylinkedtogether?
Luckily,however,theexpiationofthechiefoffenderandthetimelydiscoveryofhispapersenabledthedivisioncommandertokeeptheaffairdiscreetlysilent,andtoenjoinequalsecrecyonthepartofBrant。Thelatter,however,didnotrelaxhisvigilance,andaftertheadvancethenextdayhemadeaminuteinspectionofthegroundhewastooccupy,itsapproachesandconnectionswiththeoutlyingcountry,andtherebellines;
increasedthestringencyofpicketandsentryregulations,andexercisedarigidsurveillanceofnon-combatantsandcivilianswithinthelines,eventothelowestcanteenerorcampfollower。
Thenheturnedhisattentiontothehousehewastooccupyashisheadquarters。
Itwasafinespecimenoftheoldcolonialplanter’shouse,withitsbroadveranda,itsgreatdetachedofficesandnegroquarters,andhad,thusfar,escapedtheravagesandbilletingofthewar。
Ithadbeenoccupiedbyitsowneruptoafewdaysbeforetheengagement,andsogreathadbeentheconfidenceoftheenemyintheirsuccessthatithadbeenusedastheConfederateheadquartersonthemorningofthedecisivebattle。Jasmineandrose,unstainedbythesulphurofgunpowder,twinedarounditsruinedcolumnsandhalfhidtherecessedwindows;thecarelessflowergardenwasstillinitsunkemptandunpluckedluxuriance;thecourtyardbeforethestablesaloneshowedmarksofthelatemilitaryoccupancy,andwaspulverizedbytheuneasyhorse-hoofsofthewaitingstaff。Butthemingledimpressofbarbaricprodigalitywithpatriarchalsimplicitywasstillthereinthedomesticarrangementsofaracewholivedonhalfequalfamiliaritywithstrangersandtheirownservants。
Thenegroservantsstillremained,withacertaincat-likefidelitytotheplace,andadaptedthemselvestotheNortherninvaderswithachildlikeenjoymentofthenoveltyofchange。Brant,nevertheless,lookedthemoverwithanexperiencedeye,andsatisfiedhimselfoftheirtrustworthiness;therewastheusualnumberof\"boys,\"
gray-hairedandgrizzledinbodyservice,andthe\"mammys\"and\"aunties\"ofthekitchen。Thereweretwoorthreeroomsinthewingwhichstillcontainedprivatearticles,picturesandsouvenirsofthefamily,anda\"younglady’s\"boudoir,whichBrant,withcharacteristicdelicacy,keptcarefullyisolatedandintactfromhismilitaryhousehold,andaccessibleonlytothefamilyservants。Theroomhehadselectedforhimselfwasnearestit,——asmall,plainlyfurnishedapartment,withanalmostconventualsimplicityinitscold,whitewallsanddraperies,andthenarrow,nun-likebed。Itstruckhimthatitmighthavebelongedtosomeprimelderdaughterormaidenaunt,whohadactedashousekeeper,asitcommandedthewingandservants’offices,witheasyaccesstothecentralhall。
TherefollowedaweekofinactivityinwhichBrantfeltasingularresemblanceinthisSouthernmansiontotheoldcasaatRobles。
TheafternoonshadowsofthedeepverandasrecalledtheoldmonasticgloomoftheSpanishhouse,whicheventhepresenceofaloungingofficerorwaitingorderlycouldnotentirelydissipate,andthescentoftheroseandjasminefromhiswindowsovercamehimwithsadmemories。Hebegantochafeunderthisinaction,andlongagainfortheexcitementofthemarchandbivouac,inwhich,forthepastfouryears,hehadburiedhispast。
Hewassittingoneafternoonalonebeforehisreportsanddispatches,whenthisinfluenceseemedsostrongthathehalfimpulsivelylaidthemasidetoindulgeinalongreverie。HewasrecallinghislastdayatRobles,theearlymorningduelwithPinckney,thereturntoSanFrancisco,andthesuddenresolutionwhichsenthimthatdayacrossthecontinenttoofferhisservicestotheGovernment。HerememberedhisdelayintheWesterntown,whereavolunteerregimentwasbeingrecruited,hisentranceintoitasaprivate,hisrapidselection,throughtheforceofhissheerdevotionandintelligentconcentration,tothecaptaincyofhiscompany;hisswiftpromotiononhard-foughtfieldstotheheadoftheregiment,andthesingularsuccessthathadfollowedhisresistlessenergy,whichlefthimnotimetothinkofanythingbuthisduty。Thesuddenintrusionofhiswifeuponhiscareernow,eveninthisaccidentalandperhapsinnocentway,hadseriouslyunsettledhim。
Theshadowsweregrowingheavieranddeeper,itlackedonlyafewmomentsofthesunsetbugle,whenhewasrecalledtohimselfbythatsingularinstinctiveconsciousness,commontohumanity,ofbeingintentlylookedat。Heturnedquickly,——thedoorbehindhimclosedsoftly。Heroseandslippedintothehall。Thetallfigureofawomanwasgoingdownthepassage。Shewaserectandgraceful;
but,assheturnedtowardsthedoorleadingtotheoffices,hedistinctlysawthegaudilyturbanedheadandblacksilhouetteofanegress。Nevertheless,hehaltedamomentatthedoorofthenextroom。
\"Seewhothatwomaniswhohasjustpassed,Mr。Martin。Shedoesn’tseemtobelongtothehouse。\"
Theyoungofficerrose,putonhiscap,anddeparted。Inafewmomentshereturned。
\"Wasshetall,sir,ofagoodfigure,andverystraight?\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Sheisaservantofourneighbors,theManlys,whooccasionallyvisitstheservantshere。Amulatto,Ithink。\"
Brantreflected。Manyofthemulattoesandnegresseswereofgoodfigure,andthehabitofcarryingburdensontheirheadsgavethemasingularlyerectcarriage。
Thelieutenantlookedathischief。
\"Haveyouanyorderstogiveconcerningher,General?\"
\"No,\"saidBrant,afteramoment’spause,andturnedaway。
Theofficersmiled。Itseemedagoodstorytotellatmessofthishumanweaknessofhishandsome,reserved,andascetic-lookingleader。
AfewmorningsafterwardsBrantwasinterruptedoverhisreportsbythealmostabruptentranceoftheofficeroftheday。Hisfacewasflushed,anditwasevidentthatonlythepresenceofhissuperiorrestrainedhisexcitement。Heheldapaperinhishand。
\"AladypresentsthisorderandpassfromWashington,countersignedbythedivisiongeneral。\"
\"Alady?\"
\"Yes,sir,sheisdressedassuch。Butshehasnotonlydeclinedthemostordinarycivilitiesandcourtesieswehaveofferedher,butshehasinsultedMr。Martinandmyselfgrossly,anddemandstobeshowntoyou——alone。\"
Branttookthepaper。ItwasaspecialorderfromthePresident,passingMissMatildaFaulknerthroughtheFederallinestovisitheruncle’shome,knownas\"GrayOaks,\"nowheldandoccupiedastheheadquartersofBrant’sBrigade,inordertoarrangeforthepreservationanddisposalofcertainfamilyeffectsandprivatepropertythatstillremainedthere,ortotakeandcarryawaysuchproperty;andinvokingallnecessaryaidandassistancefromtheUnitedStatesforcesinsuchoccupancy。Itwascountersignedbythedivisioncommander。Itwasperfectlyregularandofundoubtedauthenticity。Hehadheardofpassesofthiskind,——theterrorofthearmy,——issuedinWashingtonundersomestrangecontrollinginfluenceandagainstmilitaryprotest;buthedidnotlethissubordinateseetheuneasinesswithwhichitfilledhim。
\"Showherin,\"hesaidquietly。
Butshehadalreadyentered,brushingscornfullypasttheofficer,anddrawingherskirtaside,asifcontaminated:averyprettySoutherngirl,scornfulandred-lipped,cladinagrayriding-
habit,andstillcarryingherriding-whipclenchedominouslyinherslim,gauntletedhand!
\"Youhavemypermitinyourhand,\"shesaidbrusquely,hardlyraisinghereyestoBrant。\"Isupposeit’sallstraightenough,——
andevenifitisn’t,Idon’treckontobekeptwaitingwiththosehirelings。\"
\"Your’permit’is’straight’enough,MissFaulkner,\"saidBrant,slowlyreadinghernamefromthedocumentbeforehim。\"But,asitdoesnotseemtoincludepermissiontoinsultmyofficers,youwillperhapsallowthemfirsttoretire。\"
Hemadeasigntotheofficer,whopassedoutofthedoor。
Asitclosed,hewenton,inagentlebutcoldlyunimpassionedvoice,——
\"IperceiveyouareaSouthernlady,andthereforeIneednotremindyouthatitisnotconsideredgoodformtotreateventheslavesofthoseonedoesnotlikeuncivilly,andImust,therefore,askyoutokeepyouractiveanimosityformyself。\"
Theyounggirlliftedhereyes。Shehadevidentlynotexpectedtomeetamansoyoung,sohandsome,sorefined,andsocoldlyinvincibleinmanner。Stilllesswasshepreparedforthatkindofantagonism。Inkeepingupherpreconcertedattitudetowardsthe\"Northernhireling,\"shehadbeenmetwithofficialbrusqueness,contemptuoussilence,oraggrievedindignation,——butnothingsoexasperatingasthis。Sheevenfanciedthatthiselegantbutsardonic-lookingsoldierwasmockingher。Shebitherredlip,but,withascornfulgestureofherriding-whip,said,——
\"IreckonthatyourknowledgeofSouthernladiesis,forcertainreasons,notveryextensive。\"
\"Pardonme;Ihavehadthehonorofmarryingone。\"
Apparentlymoreexasperatedthanbefore,sheturneduponhimabruptly。
\"Yousaymypassisallright。ThenIpresumeImayattendtothebusinessthatbroughtmehere。\"
\"Certainly;butyouwillforgivemeifIimaginedthatanexpressionofcontemptforyourhostswasapartofit。\"
Herangabellonthetable。Itwasrespondedtobyanorderly。
\"Sendallthehouseholdservantshere。\"
Theroomwaspresentlyfilledwiththeduskyfacesofthenegroretainers。Hereandtherewasthegleamingofwhiteteeth,butamajorityoftheassemblyworethetruenegroseriousacceptanceoftheimportanceof\"anoccasion。\"Oneortwoevenaffectedanofficialandsoldierlybearing。And,ashefullyexpected,therewereseveralglancesofsignificantrecognitionofthestranger。
\"Youwillgive,\"saidBrantsternly,\"everyaidandattentiontothewantsofthisyounglady,whoisheretorepresenttheinterestsofyouroldmaster。Asshewillbeentirelydependentuponyouinallthingsconnectedwithhervisithere,seetoitthatshedoesnothavetocomplaintomeofanyinattention,——orbeobligedtoaskforotherassistance。\"
AsMissFaulkner,albeitatriflepalerinthecheek,butasscornfulasever,wasabouttofollowtheservantsfromtheroom,Brantstoppedher,withacoldlycourteousgesture。
\"Youwillunderstand,therefore,MissFaulkner,thatyouhaveyourwish,andthatyouwillnotbeexposedtoanycontactwiththemembersofmymilitaryfamily,northeywithyou。\"
\"AmIthentobeaprisonerinthishouse——andunderafreepassofyour——President?\"shesaidindignantly。
\"Bynomeans!Youarefreetocomeandgo,andseewhomyouplease。Ihavenopowertocontrolyouractions。ButIhavethepowertocontroltheirs。\"
Shesweptfuriouslyfromtheroom。
\"Thatisquiteenoughtofillherwithadesiretoflirtwitheverymanhere,\"saidBranttohimself,withafaintsmile;\"butIfancytheyhavehadatasteenoughofherquality。\"
Neverthelesshesatdownandwroteafewlinestothedivisioncommander,pointingoutthathehadalreadyplacedtheowner’sprivatepropertyunderstrictsurveillance,thatitwascaredforandperfectlypreservedbythehouseholdservants,andthatthepasswasevidentlyobtainedasasubterfuge。
Tothishereceivedaformalreply,regrettingthattheauthoritiesatWashingtonstillfounditnecessarytoputthiskindofriskandburdenonthearmyinthefield,butthattheorderemanatedfromthehighestauthority,andmustbestrictlyobeyed。Atthebottomofthepagewasacharacteristiclineinpencilinthegeneral’sownhand——\"Notthekindthatisdangerous。\"
AflushmountedBrant’scheeks,asifitcontainednotonlyahidden,butapersonalsignificance。Hehadthoughtofhisownwife!
Singularlyenough,adayortwolater,atdinner,theconversationturnedupontheintensesectionalfeelingofSouthernwomen,probablyinducedbytheirlateexperiences。Brant,attheheadofthetable,inhishabitualabstraction,wasscarcelyfollowingthesomewhatexciteddictionofColonelStrangeways,oneofhisstaff。
\"No,sir,\"reiteratedthatindignantwarrior,\"takemywordforit!
ASouthernwomanisn’ttobetrustedonthispoint,whetherasasister,sweetheart,orwife。Andwhensheistrusted,she’sboundtogetthebetterofthemaninanyofthoserelations!\"
Thedeadsilencethatfollowed,theominousjoggleofaglassatthespeaker’selbow,thequick,sympatheticglancethatBrantinstinctivelyfeltwasdirectedathisownface,andtheabruptchangeofsubject,couldnotbutarresthisattention,evenifhehadoverlookedthespeech。Hisface,however,betrayednothing。
Ithadnever,however,occurredtohimbeforethathisfamilyaffairsmightbeknown——neitherhadheeverthoughtofkeepingthemasecret。Itseemedsopurelyapersonalandprivatemisfortune,thathehadneverdreamedofitshavinganypublicinterest。Andevennowhewasalittleashamedofwhathebelievedwashissensitivenesstomereconventionalcriticism,which,withtheinstinctofaproudman,hehaddespised。
HewasnotfarwronginhissardonicintuitionoftheeffectofhisprohibitionuponMissFaulkner’sfeelings。Certainlythatyounglady,whennotengagedinhermysteriousoccupationofarrangingheruncle’seffects,occasionallywasseeninthegarden,andinthewoodsbeyond。Althoughherpresencewasthesignalforthe\"oblique\"ofanylounging\"shoulderstrap,\"orthevacant\"front\"
ofapostedsentry,sheseemedtoregardtheiroccasionalproximitywithlessactivedisfavor。Once,whenshehadmountedthewalltogatheramagnoliablossom,thechairbywhichshehadascendedrolledover,leavingheronthewall。Atasignalfromtheguard-
room,twosappersandminersappearedcarryingascaling-ladder,whichtheyplacedsilentlyagainstthewall,andassilentlywithdrew。Onanotheroccasion,thesamespiritedyounglady,whomBrantwassatisfiedwouldhaveprobablyimperiledherlifeunderfireindevotiontohercause,wasbroughtignominiouslytobayinthefieldbythatmostappallingofdomesticanimals,thewanderinganduntrammeledcow!Brantcouldnothelpsmilingasheheardthequick,harshcallto\"Turnout,guard,\"sawthemenmarchstolidlywithfixedbayonetstothevicinityoftheaffrightedanimal,whofled,leavingthefairstrangertowalkshamefacedlytothehouse。
Hewassurprised,however,thatsheshouldhavehaltedbeforehisdoor,andwithtremulousindignation,said,——
\"Ithankyou,sir,foryourchivalrousnessinturningadefenselesswomanintoridicule。\"
\"Iregret,MissFaulkner,\"beganBrantgravely,\"thatyoushouldbelievethatIamabletocontroltheadvancesoffarmyardcattleaseasilyas\"——Buthestopped,ashesawthattheangryflashofherblueeyes,asshedartedpasthim,wassetintears。Alittleremorsefulonthefollowingday,headdedawordtohisordinarycap-liftingwhenshewentby,butsheretainedareproachfulsilence。Laterintheday,hereceivedfromherservantarespectfulrequestforaninterview,andwasrelievedtofindthatsheenteredhispresencewithnotraceofherformeraggression,butratherwiththeresignationofadeeplyinjured,yetnotentirelyunforgiving,woman。
\"Ithought,\"shebegancoldly,\"thatIoughttoinformyouthatI
wouldprobablybeabletoconcludemybusinessherebythedayafterto-morrow,andthatyouwouldthenberelievedofmypresence。Iamaware——indeed,\"sheadded,bitterly,\"Icouldscarcelyhelpperceiving,thatithasbeenanexceedinglyirksomeone。\"
\"Itrust,\"beganBrantcoldly,\"thatnogentlemanofmycommandhas\"——
\"No!\"
Sheinterruptedhimquickly,withareturnofherformermanner,andapassionatesweepofthehand。
\"DoyousupposeforamomentthatIamspeaking——thatIameventhinking——ofthem?Whataretheytome?\"
\"Thankyou。Iamgladtoknowthattheyarenothing;andthatI
maynowtrustthatyouhaveconsultedmywishes,andhavereservedyouranimositysolelyforme,\"returnedBrantquietly。\"Thatbeingso,Iseenoreasonforyourhurryingyourdepartureintheleast。\"
Sheroseinstantly。
\"Ihave,\"shesaidslowly,controllingherselfwithaslighteffort,\"foundsomeonewhowilltakemydutyoffmyhands。Sheisaservantofoneofyourneighbors,——whoisanoldfriendofmyuncle’s。Thewomanisfamiliarwiththehouse,andourprivateproperty。Iwillgiveherfullinstructionstoactforme,andevenanauthorizationinwriting,ifyoupreferit。Sheisalreadyinthehabitofcominghere;buthervisitswillgiveyouverylittletrouble。And,assheisaslave,or,asyoucallit,I
believe,achattel,shewillbealreadyquiteaccustomedtothetreatmentwhichherclassareinthehabitofreceivingfromNorthernhands。\"
WithoutwaitingtoperceivetheeffectofherParthianshot,shesweptproudlyoutoftheroom。
\"Iwonderwhatshemeans,\"musedBrant,asherquickstepdiedawayinthepassage。\"Onethingiscertain,——awomanlikethatisaltogethertooimpulsiveforaspy。\"
Later,inthetwilight,hesawherwalkinginthegarden。Therewasafigureatherside。Alittlecurious,heexamineditmorecloselyfromhiswindow。Itwasalreadyfamiliartohim,——theerect,shapelyformofhisneighbor’sservant。Athoughtfullookpassedoverhisfaceashemuttered,——\"Sothisistobeherdeputy。\"
CHAPTERIII。
Calledtoageneralcouncilofofficersatdivisionalheadquartersthenextday,Branthadlittletimeforfurtherspeculationregardinghisstrangeguest,butaremarkfromthedivisioncommander,thathepreferredtocommitthegeneralplanofamovementthenunderdiscussiontotheirmemoriesratherthantowrittenordersintheordinaryroutine,seemedtoshowthathischiefstillsuspectedtheexistenceofaspy。He,therefore,toldhimofhislateinterviewwithMissFaulkner,andherprobablewithdrawalinfavorofamulattoneighbor。Thedivisioncommanderreceivedtheinformationwithindifference。
\"They’remuchtooclevertoemployahussylikethat,whoshowsherhandateveryturn,eitherasaspyoramessengerofspies,——andthemulattoesaretoostupid,tosaynothingoftheirprobablefidelitytous。No,General,ifwearewatched,itisbyaneagle,andnotamocking-bird。MissFaulknerhasnothingworseaboutherthanhertongue;andthereisn’ttheniggerbloodinthewholeSouththatwouldriskanooseforher,orforanyoftheirmastersormistresses!\"
Itwas,therefore,perhaps,withsomemitigationofhisusualcriticalseveritythathesawherwalkingbeforehimaloneinthelaneasherodehometoquarters。Shewasapparentlylostinahalf-impatient,half-moodyreverie,whicheventhetrottinghoof-
beatsofhisownandhisorderly’shorsehadnotdisturbed。Fromtimetotimeshestruckthemyrtlehedgebesideherwiththeheadofalargeflowerwhichhungbyitsstalkfromherlistlesshands,orheldittoherfaceasiftoinhaleitsperfume。Dismissinghisorderlybyasidepath,herodegentlyforward,but,tohissurprise,withoutturning,orseemingtobeawareofhispresence,shequickenedherpace,andevenappearedtolookfromsidetosideforsomeavenueofescape。Ifonlytomendmatters,hewasobligedtoridequicklyforwardtoherside,wherehethrewhimselffromhishorse,flungthereinsonhisarm,andbegantowalkbesideher。Sheatfirstturnedaslightlyflushedcheekawayfromhim,andthenlookedupwithapurelysimulatedstartofsurprise。
\"Iamafraid,\"hesaidgently,\"thatIamthefirsttobreakmyownordersinregardtoanyintrusiononyourprivacy。ButIwantedtoaskyouifIcouldgiveyouanyaidwhateverinthechangeyouthinkofmaking。\"
Hewasquitesincere,——hadbeentouchedbyhermanifestdisturbance,and,despitehismasculinerelentlessnessofcriticism,hehadanintuitionoffemininesufferingthatwasinitselffeminine。
\"Meaning,thatyouareinahurrytogetridofme,\"shesaidcurtly,withoutraisinghereyes。
\"MeaningthatIonlywishtoexpediteabusinesswhichIthinkisunpleasanttoyou,butwhichIbelieveyouhaveundertakenfromunselfishdevotion。\"
Thescantexpressionofareservednatureissometimesmoreattractivetowomenthanthemostfluentvivacity。Possiblytherewasalsoamelancholygraceinthissardonicsoldier’smannerthataffectedher,forshelookedup,andsaidimpulsively,——
\"Youthinkso?\"
Buthemethereagereyeswithsomesurprise。
\"Icertainlydo,\"herepliedmorecoldly。\"Icanimagineyourfeelingsonfindingyouruncle’shomeinthepossessionofyourenemies,andyourpresenceunderthefamilyroofonlyasufferance。
Icanhardlybelieveitapleasuretoyou,orataskyouwouldhaveacceptedforyourselfalone。\"
\"But,\"shesaid,turningtowardshimwickedly,\"whatifIdiditonlytoexcitemyrevenge;whatifIknewitwouldgivemecouragetoincitemypeopletocarrywarintoyourownhomes;tomakeyouoftheNorthfeelasIfeel,andtasteourbitterness?\"
\"Icouldeasilyunderstandthat,too,\"hereturned,withlistlesscoldness,\"althoughIdon’tadmitthatrevengeisanunmixedpleasure,eventoawoman。\"
\"Awoman!\"sherepeatedindignantly。\"Thereisnosexinawarlikethis。\"
\"Youarespoilingyourflower,\"hesaidquietly。\"Itisverypretty,andanativeone,too;notaninvader,oreventransplanted。
MayIlookatit?\"
Shehesitated,halfrecoilingforaninstant,andherhandtrembled。Then,suddenlyandabruptlyshesaid,withahystericlittlelaugh,\"Takeit,then,\"andalmostthrustitinhishand。
Itcertainlywasaprettyflower,notunlikealilyinappearance,withabell-likecupandlongantherscoveredwithafinepollen,likereddust。Asheliftedittohisface,toinhaleitsperfume,sheutteredaslightcry,andsnatcheditfromhishand。
\"There!\"shesaid,withthesamenervouslaugh。\"Iknewyouwould;
Ioughttohavewarnedyou。Thepollencomesoffsoeasily,andleavesastain。Andyou’vegotsomeonyourcheek。Look!\"shecontinued,takingherhandkerchieffromherpocketandwipinghischeek;\"seethere!\"Thedelicatecambricshowedablood-redstreak。
\"Itgrowsinaswamp,\"shecontinued,inthesameexcitedstrain;
\"wecallitdragon’steeth,——likethekindthatwassowninthestory,youknow。Wechildrenusedtofindit,andthenpaintourfacesandlipswithit。Wecalleditourrouge。IwasalmosttemptedtotryitagainwhenIfounditjustnow。Ittookmebacksototheoldtimes。\"
Followingheroddmannerratherthanherwords,assheturnedherfacetowardshimsuddenly,Brantwasinclinedtothinkthatshehadtrieditalready,soscarletwashercheek。Butitpresentlypaledagainunderhiscoldscrutiny。
\"Youmustmisstheoldtimes,\"hesaidcalmly。\"Iamafraidyoufoundverylittleofthemleft,exceptintheseflowers。\"
\"Andhardlythese,\"shesaidbitterly。\"Yourtroopshadfoundawaythroughthemarsh,andhadtrampleddownthebushes。\"
Brant’sbrowclouded。Herememberedthatthebrook,whichhadrunredduringthefight,hadlostitselfinthismarsh。Itdidnotincreasehislikingforthisbeautifulbutblindlyviciousanimalathisside,andevenhismomentarypityforherwasfadingfast。
Shewasincorrigible。Theywalkedonforafewmomentsinsilence。
\"Yousaid,\"shebeganatlast,inagentlerandevenhesitatingvoice,\"thatyourwifewasaSouthernwoman。\"
Hecheckedanirritatedstartwithdifficulty。
\"IbelieveIdid,\"hesaidcoldly,asifheregrettedit。
\"AndofcourseyoutaughtherYOURgospel,——thegospelaccordingtoSt。Lincoln。Oh,Iknow,\"shewentonhurriedly,asifconsciousofhisirritationandseekingtoallayit。\"Shewasawomanandlovedyou,andthoughtwithyourthoughtsandsawonlywithyoureyes。Yes,that’sthewaywithus,——Isupposewealldoit!\"sheaddedbitterly。
\"Shehadherownopinions,\"saidBrantbriefly,asherecoveredhimself。
Nevertheless,hismannersodecidedlyclosedallfurtherdiscussionthattherewasnothingleftfortheyounggirlbutsilence。Butitwasbrokenbyherinafewmomentsinheroldcontemptuousvoiceandmanner。
\"Praydon’ttroubleyourselftoaccompanymeanyfurther,GeneralBrant。Unless,ofcourse,youareafraidImaycomeacrosssomeofyour——yoursoldiers。IpromiseyouIwon’teatthem。\"
\"Iamafraidyoumustsuffermycompanyalittlelonger,MissFaulkner,onaccountofthosesamesoldiers,\"returnedBrantgravely。\"Youmaynotknowthatthisroad,inwhichIfindyou,takesyouthroughacordonofpickets。Ifyouwerealoneyouwouldbestopped,questioned,and,failingtogivethepassword,youwouldbedetained,senttotheguard-house,and\"——hestopped,andfixedhiseyesonherkeenlyasheadded,\"andsearched。\"
\"Youwouldnotdaretosearchawoman!\"shesaidindignantly,althoughherflushgavewaytoaslightpallor。
\"Yousaidjustnowthatthereshouldbenosexinawarlikethis,\"
returnedBrantcarelessly,butwithoutabatinghisscrutinizinggaze。
\"ThenitISwar?\"shesaidquickly,withawhite,significantface。
Hislookofscrutinyturnedtooneofpuzzledwonder。Butatthesamemomenttherewastheflashofabayonetinthehedge,avoicecalled\"Halt!\"andasoldiersteppedintotheroad。
GeneralBrantadvanced,metthesaluteofthepicketwithafewformalwords,andthenturnedtowardshisfaircompanion,asanothersoldierandasergeantjoinedthegroup。
\"MissFaulknerisnewtothecamp,tookthewrongturning,andwasunwittinglyleavingthelineswhenIjoinedher。\"Hefixedhiseyesintentlyonhernowcolorlessface,butshedidnotreturnhislook。\"Youwillshowhertheshortestwaytoquarters,\"hecontinued,tothesergeant,\"andshouldsheatanytimeagainloseherway,youwillagainconductherhome,——butwithoutdetainingorreportingher。\"
Heliftedhiscap,remountedhishorse,androdeaway,astheyounggirl,withaproud,indifferentstep,moveddowntheroadwiththesergeant。Amountedofficerpassedhimandsaluted,——itwasoneofhisownstaff。Fromsomestrangeinstinct,heknewthathehadwitnessedthescene,andfromsomeequallystrangeintuitionhewasannoyedbyit。Buthecontinuedhisway,visitingoneortwooutposts,andreturnedbyalongdetourtohisquarters。AshesteppedupontheverandahesawMissFaulkneratthebottomofthegardentalkingwithsomeoneacrossthehedge。Bytheaidofhisglasshecouldrecognizetheshapelyfigureofthemulattowomanwhichhehadseenbefore。ButbyitsaidhealsodiscoveredthatshewascarryingaflowerexactlyliketheonewhichMissFaulknerstillheldinherhand。HadshebeenwithMissFaulknerinthelane,andifso,whyhadshedisappearedwhenhecameup?Impelledbysomethingstrongerthanmerecuriosity,hewalkedquicklydownthegarden,butsheevidentlyhadnoticedhim,forsheasquicklydisappeared。NotcaringtomeetMissFaulkneragain,heretracedhissteps,resolvingthathewould,onthefirstopportunity,personallyexamineandinterrogatethisnewvisitor。ForifsheweretotakeMissFaulkner’splaceinasubordinatecapacity,thisprecautionwasclearlywithinhisrights。
Here-enteredhisroomandseatedhimselfathisdeskbeforethedispatches,orders,andreportsawaitinghim。Hefoundhimself,however,workinghalfmechanically,andrecurringtohislateinterviewwithMissFaulknerinthelane。Ifshehadanyinclinationtoactthespy,ortouseherpositionhereasameansofcommunicatingwiththeenemy’slines,hethoughthehadthoroughlyfrightenedher。Nevertheless,now,forthefirsttime,hewasinclinedtoaccepthischief’sopinionofher。Shewasnotonlytooclumsyandinexperienced,butshetotallylackedtheself-
restraintofaspy。Hernervousagitationinthelanewasduetosomethingmoredisturbingthanhismerepossibleintrusionuponherconfidenceswiththemulatto。Thesignificanceofherquestion,\"ThenitISwar?\"wasatbestathreat,andthatimpliedhesitation。
Herecalledherstrangeallusiontohiswife;wasitmerelytheoutcomeofhisownfoolishconfessionontheirfirstinterview,orwasitaconcealedironicaltaunt?Beingsatisfied,however,thatshewasnotlikelytoimperilhispublicdutyinanyway,hewasangrywithhimselfforspeculatingfurther。But,althoughhestillfelttowardsherthesameantagonismshehadatfirstprovoked,hewasconsciousthatshewasbeginningtoexerciseastrangefascinationoverhim。
Dismissingheratlastwithaneffort,hefinishedhisworkandthenrose,andunlockingacloset,tookoutasmalldispatch-box,towhichheintendedtointrustafewmoreimportantordersandmemoranda。Asheopeneditwithakeyonhiswatch-chain,hewasstruckwithafaintperfumethatseemedtocomefromit,——aperfumethatheremembered。WasitthesmelloftheflowerthatMissFaulknercarried,orthescentofthehandkerchiefwithwhichshehadwipedhischeek,oraminglingofboth?Orwasheundersomespelltothinkofthatwretchedgirl,andherwitch-likeflower?
Heleanedovertheboxandsuddenlystarted。Upontheoutercoveringofadispatchwasasingularblood-redstreak!Heexamineditclosely,——itwasthepowderystainofthelilypollen,——exactlyashehadseenitonherhandkerchief。
Therecouldbenomistake。Hepassedhisfingeroverthestain;hecouldstillfeeltheslippery,infinitesimalpowderofthepollen。
Itwasnottherewhenhehadclosedtheboxthatmorning;itwasimpossiblethatitshouldbethereunlesstheboxhadbeenopenedinhisabsence。Here-examinedthecontentsofthebox;thepaperswereallthere。Morethanthat,theywerepapersofnoimportanceexcepttohimpersonally;containednoplansnorkeytoanymilitarysecret;hehadbeenfartoowisetointrustanytotheaccidentsofthisalienhouse。Thepryingintruder,whoeveritwas,hadgainednothing!Buttherewasunmistakablytheattempt!
Andtheexistenceofawould-bespywithinthepurlieusofthehousewasequallyclear。
Hecalledanofficerfromthenextroom。
\"Hasanyonebeenheresincemyabsence?\"
\"No,General。\"
\"Hasanyonepassedthroughthehall?\"
Hehadfullyanticipatedtheanswer,asthesubalternreplied,\"Onlythewomenservants。\"
Here-enteredtheroom。Closingthedoor,heagaincarefullyexaminedthebox,histable,thepapersuponit,thechairbeforeit,andeventheChinesemattingonthefloor,foranyfurtherindicationofthepollen。Ithardlyseemedpossiblethatanyonecouldhaveenteredtheroomwiththeflowerintheirhandwithoutscatteringsomeofthetell-taledustelsewhere;itwastoolargeaflowertobewornonthebreastorinthehair。Again,noonewouldhavedaredtolingertherelongenoughtohavemadeanexaminationofthebox,withanofficerinthenextroom,andthesergeantpassing。Theboxhadbeenremoved,andtheexaminationmadeelsewhere!
Anideaseizedhim。MissFaulknerwasstillabsent,themulattohadapparentlygonehome。Hequicklymountedthestaircase,butinsteadofenteringhisroom,turnedsuddenlyasideintothewingwhichhadbeenreserved。Thefirstdooryieldedasheturneditsknobgentlyandenteredaroomwhichheatoncerecognizedasthe\"younglady’sboudoir。\"Butthedustyanddrapedfurniturehadbeenrearrangedanduncovered,andtheapartmentboreeverysignofpresentuse。Yet,althoughtherewasunmistakableevidenceofitsbeingusedbyapersonoftasteandrefinement,hewassurprisedtoseethatthegarmentshanginginanopenpressweresuchaswereusedbynegroservants,andthatagaudyhandkerchiefsuchashousemaidsusedforturbanswaslyingontheprettysilkcoverlet。