Hedidnotlingeroverthesedetails,butcastarapidglanceroundtheroom。Thenhiseyesbecamefixedonafancifulwriting-desk,whichstoodbythewindow。For,inahandsomevaseplacedonitsleveltop,anddroopingonaportfoliobelow,hungaclusteroftheveryflowersthatMissFaulknerhadcarried!
CHAPTERIV。
ItseemedplaintoBrantthatthedispatch-boxhadbeenconveyedhereandopenedforsecurityonthisdesk,andinthehurryofexaminingthepaperstheflowerhadbeenjostledandthefallengrainsofpollenoverlookedbythespy。Therewereoneortwofrecklesofredonthedesk,whichmadethisaccidentappearthemoreprobable。Buthewasequallystruckbyanothercircumstance。
Thedeskstoodimmediatelybeforethewindow。Asheglancedmechanicallyfromit,hewassurprisedtoseethatitcommandedanextensiveviewoftheslopebelowtheeminenceonwhichthehousestood,evenbeyondhisfurthestlineofpickets。Thevaseofflowers,eachofwhichwasnearlyaslargeasamagnoliablossom,andstrikingincolor,occupiedacentralpositionbeforeit,andnodoubtcouldbequitedistinctlyseenfromadistance。Fromthiscircumstancehecouldnotresistthestrongimpressionthatthisfatefulandextraordinaryblossom,carriedbyMissFaulknerandthemulatto,andsostrikingly\"inevidence\"atthewindow,wasinsomewayasignal。Obeyinganimpulsewhichhewasconscioushadahalfsuperstitiousfoundation,hecarefullyliftedthevasefromitspositionbeforethewindow,andplaceditonasidetable。Thenhecautiouslyslippedfromtheroom。
Buthecouldnoteasilyshakeofftheperplexitywhichtheoccurrencehadcaused,althoughhewassatisfiedthatitwasfraughtwithnomilitaryorstrategicdangertohiscommand,andthattheunknownspyhadobtainednoinformationwhatever。YethewasforcedtoadmittohimselfthathewasmoreconcernedinhisattemptstojustifytheconductofMissFaulknerwiththislaterrevelation。Itwasquitepossiblethatthedispatch-boxhadbeenpurloinedbysomeoneelseduringherabsencefromthehouse,asthepresenceofthemulattoservantinhisroomwouldhavebeenlesssuspiciousthanhers。TherewasreallylittleevidencetoconnectMissFaulknerwiththeactualoutrage,——rathermightnottherealspyhavetakenadvantageofhervisithere,tothrowsuspicionuponher?Herememberedhersingularmanner,——thestrangeinconsistencywithwhichshehadforcedthisfloweruponhim。Shewouldhardlyhavedonesohadshebeenconsciousofitshavingsoseriousanimport。Yet,whatwasthesecretofhermanifestagitation?Asuddeninspirationflashedacrosshismind;
asmilecameuponhislips。Shewasinlove!Theenemy’slinecontainedsomesighingStrephonofayoungsubalternwithwhomshewasincommunication,andforwhomshehadundertakenthisquest。
Theflowerwastheirlanguageofcorrespondence,nodoubt。Itexplainedalsotheyounggirl’sanimosityagainsttheyoungerofficers,——hisadversaries;againsthimself,——theircommander。Hehadpreviouslywonderedwhy,ifshewereindeedaspy,shehadnotchosen,uponsomeequallyspeciousorderfromWashington,theheadquartersofthedivisioncommander,whosesecretsweremorevaluable。Thiswasexplainedbythefactthatshewasnearerthelinesandherloverinherpresentabode。Hehadnoideathathewasmakingexcusesforher,——hebelievedhimselfonlyjust。Therecollectionofwhatshehadsaidofthepoweroflove,albeitithadhurthimcruellyatthetime,wasnowclearertohim,andevenseemedtomitigateheroffense。Shewouldbeherebutadayortwolonger;hecouldaffordtowaitwithoutinterrogatingher。
Butastotherealintruder,spyorthief,——thatwasanotheraffair,andquicklysettled。Hegaveanordertotheofficerofthedayperemptorilyforbiddingtheentranceofalienservantsorslaveswithintheprecinctsoftheheadquarters。Anyonethustrespassingwastobebroughtbeforehim。Theofficerlookedsurprised,heevenfancieddisappointed。Thegracesofthemulattowoman’sfigurehadevidentlynotbeenthrownawayuponhissubalterns。
Anhourortwolater,whenhewasmountinghishorseforaroundofinspection,hewassurprisedtoseeMissFaulkner,accompaniedbythemulattowoman,runninghurriedlytothehouse。Hehadforgottenhislateorderuntilhesawthelatterhaltedbythesentries,buttheyounggirlcameflyingon,regardlessofhercompanion。Herskirtwasheldinonehand,herstrawhathadfallenbackinherflight,andwascaughtonlybyaribbonaroundherswellingthroat,andherloosenedhairlayinablackrippledloopononeshoulder。ForaninstantBrantthoughtthatshewasseekinghiminindignationathisorder,butasecondlookathersetface,eagereyes,andpartedscarletlips,showedhimthatshehadnotevennoticedhimintheconcentrationofherpurpose。Shesweptbyhimintothehall,heheardtheswishofherskirtandrapidfeetonthestairs,——shewasgone。Whathadhappened,orwasthisanotherofhermoods?
Buthewascalledtohimselfbytheapparitionofacorporalstandingbeforehim,withthemulattowoman,——thefirstcaptureunderhisorder。Shewastall,well-formed,butunmistakablyshowingthenegrotype,eveninhersmallfeatures。Herblackeyeswereexcited,butunintelligent;hermannerdogged,butwiththeobstinacyofhalf-consciousstupidity。Brantfeltnotonlydisappointed,buthadasingularimpressionthatshewasnotthesamewomanthathehadfirstseen。Yettherewasthetall,gracefulfigure,thedarkprofile,andtheturbanedheadthathehadoncefolloweddownthepassagebyhisroom。
Herstorywasasstupidlysimple。Shehadknown\"Missy\"fromachile!Shehadjusttraipsedovertoseeherthatafternoon;theywerewalkingtogetherwhenthesojersstoppedher。Shehadneverbeenstoppedbefore,evenby\"thepatterrollers。\"*Heroldmassa(Manly)hadgibleaftogoseeMissTilly,andhadn’tsaidnuffinaboutno\"orders。\"
*i。e。,patrols,——acivichome-guardintheSouththatkeptsurveillanceofslaves。
Moreannoyedthanhecaredtoconfess,Brantbrieflydismissedherwithawarning。Ashecantereddowntheslopetheviewofthedistantpicketsrecalledthewindowinthewing,andheturnedinhissaddletolookatit。Thereitwas——thelargestandmostdominantwindowinthatpartofthebuilding——andwithinit,adistinctandvividobjectalmostfillingtheopening,wasthevaseofflowers,whichhehadafewhoursagoremoved,RESTOREDTO
ITSORIGINALPOSITION!Hesmiled。ThehurriedentranceandconsternationofMissFaulknerwerenowfullyexplained。Hehadinterruptedsomeimpassionedmessage,perhapsevencountermandedsomeaffectionaterendezvousbeyondthelines。Anditseemedtosettlethefactthatitwasshewhohaddonethesignaling!Butwouldnotthisalsomakehercognizantofthetakingofthedispatch-box?Hereflected,however,thattheroomwasapparentlyoccupiedbythemulattowoman——herememberedthecalicodressesandturbanonthebed——anditwaspossiblethatMissFaulknerhadonlyvisiteditforthepurposeofsignalingtoherlover。Althoughthiscircumstancedidnottendtomakehismindeasier,itwas,however,presentlydivertedbyanewarrivalandastrangerecognition。
Asherodethroughthecampagroupofofficerscongregatedbeforealargemesstentappearedtobehighlyamusedbytheconversation——
halfmonologueandhalfharangueofasingular-lookingindividualwhostoodinthecentre。Heworea\"slouch\"hat,tothebandofwhichhehadimpartedamilitaryairbytheadditionofagoldcord,butthebrimwascaughtupatthesideinapeculiarlytheatricalandhighlyartificialfashion。Aheavycavalrysabredependedfromabroad-buckledbeltunderhisblackfrockcoat,withtheadditionoftworevolvers——minustheirholsters——stuckoneithersideofthebuckle,afterthestyleofastagesmuggler。A
pairoflongenameledleatherridingboots,withthetopsturneddeeplyover,asiftheyhadoncedonedutyfortherepresentativeofacavalier,completedhisextraordinaryequipment。Thegroupweresoabsorbedinhimthattheydidnotperceivetheapproachoftheirchiefandhisorderly;andBrant,withasigntothelatter,haltedonlyafewpacesfromthiscentralfigure。Hisspeechwasasingularminglingofhigh-flownandexaltedepithets,withinexactpronunciationandoccasionallapsesofWesternslang。
\"Well,Iain’tpurtendin’toanystratutegicalsmartness,andI
didn’tgradooateatWestPointasoneofthoseApocryphalEngineers;Idon’tdomuchtalkingabout’flank’movementsor’recognizancesinforce’or’Ekellonskirmishing,’butwhenitcomesdowntosquareInginfightin’,IreckonIkinhavemysay。
Therearemenwhodon’tknowtheArmyContractor,\"headdeddarkly,\"whomebbehaveheardof’RedJim。’Idon’tmentionnames,gentlemen,butonlytheotherdayamanthatyouallknowsaystome,’IfIonlyknewwhatyoudoaboutscoutin’Iwouldn’tbewantingforinformationasIdo。’Iain’tgoin’tosaywhoitwas,orbreakanyconfidencesbetweengentlemenbysayinghowmanystarshehadonhisshoulderstrap;buthewasamanwhoknewwhathewassaying。AndIsayagin,gentlemen,thatthecurseoftheNorthernArmyisthewantofproperscoutin’。WhatwasitcausedBull’sRun?——Wanto’scoutin’。WhatwasitrolledupPope?——Wanto’
scoutin’。WhatcausedtheslaughterattheWilderness?——Wanto’
scoutin’——Inginscoutin’!Why,onlytheotherday,gentlemen,I
wasapproachedtoknowwhatI’dtaketoorganizeascoutin’force。
AndwhatdidIsay?——’No,General;itain’tbecauseIrepresentoneofthelargestArmyBeefContractsinthiscountry,’saysI。’Itain’tbecauseIbelong,sotospeak,tothe\"SinewsofWar;\"butbecauseI’dwantabouttenthousandtrainedInginsfromtheReservations!’AndtheregularWestPoint,high-toned,scientificinkybusthatweighssoheavilyonourarmydon’tseeit——andwon’thaveit!ThenSherman,heseztome\"——
Butherearoaroflaughterinterruptedhim,andinthecrossfireofsarcasticinterrogationsthatbeganBrantsaw,withrelief,achanceofescape。Forinthevoice,manner,and,aboveall,thecharacteristictemperamentofthestranger,hehadrecognizedhisoldplaymateandthehusbandofSusy,——theredoubtableJimHooker!
Therewasnomistakingthatgloomyaudacity;thatmysterioussignificance;thatmagnificentlying。ButevenatthatmomentClarenceBrant’shearthadgoneout,withallhisoldloyaltyoffeeling,towardshisoldcompanion。HeknewthatapublicrecognitionofhimthenandtherewouldplungeHookerintoconfusion;hefeltkeenlytheironicalplauditsandlaughterofhisofficersoverthemanifestweaknessandvanityoftheex-teamster,ex-rancher,ex-actor,andhusbandofhisoldgirlsweetheart,andwouldhavesparedhimtheknowledgethathehadoverheardit。
Turninghastilytotheorderly,hebadehimbringthestrangertohisheadquarters,androdeawayunperceived。
Hehadheardenough,however,toaccountforhispresencethere,andthesingularchancethathadbroughtthemagaintogether。HewasevidentlyoneofthoselargecivilcontractorsofsupplieswhomtheGovernmentwasobligedtoemploy,whovisitedthecamphalfofficially,andwhomthearmyalternatelydependeduponandabused。
BranthaddealtwithhisunderlingsintheCommissariat,andevennowrememberedthathehadheardhewascoming,buthadoverlookedthesignificanceofhisname。Buthowhecametoleavehistheatricalprofession,howhehadattainedapositionwhichimpliedacommandofconsiderablecapital——formanyofthecontractorshadalreadyamassedlargefortunes——andwhathadbecomeofSusyandherambitionsinthisradicalchangeofcircumstances,werethingsstilltobelearned。Inhisownchangedconditionshehadseldomthoughtofher;itwaswithastrangefeelingofirritationandhalfresponsibilitythathenowrecalledtheirlastinterviewandtheemotiontowhichhehadyielded。
Hehadnotlongtowait。HehadscarcelyregainedthequartersathisownprivateofficebeforeheheardthestepoftheorderlyupontheverandaandthetrailingclankofHooker’ssabre。Hedidnotknow,however,thatHooker,withoutrecognizinghisname,hadreceivedthemessageasapersonaltribute,andhadlefthissarcasticcompanionstriumphantly,withtheairofgoingtoaconfidentialinterview,towhichhiswell-knownmilitarycriticismhadentitledhim。Itwaswithabearingofgloomyimportanceandhischaracteristic,sullen,sidelongglancethatheenteredtheapartmentanddidnotlookupuntilBranthadsignaledtheorderlytowithdraw,andclosedthedoorbehindhim。Andthenherecognizedhisoldboyishcompanion——thepreferredfavoriteoffortune!
Foramomenthegaspedwithastonishment。Foramomentgloomyincredulity,suspicion,delight,pride,admiration,evenaffection,struggledformasteryinhissullen,staringeyesandopen,twitchingmouth。ForherewasClarenceBrant,handsomerthanever,moresuperiorthanever,inthemajestyofuniformandauthoritywhichfittedhim——theyoungerman——byreasonofhisfouryearsofactiveservice,withthecarelesseaseandbearingoftheveteran!
Herewastheherowhosenamewasalreadysofamousthatthemerecoincidenceofitwiththatofthemodestcivilianhehadknownwouldhavestruckhimaspreposterous。Yetherehewas——supreme,anddazzling——surroundedbythepompandcircumstanceofwar——intowhosereservedpresencehe,JimHooker,hadbeenusheredwiththeformalityofchallenge,saluting,andpresentedbayonets!
Luckily,Branthadtakenadvantageofhisfirstgratifiedejaculationtoshakehimwarmlybythehand,andthen,withbothhandslaidfamiliarlyonhisshoulder,forcehimdownintoachair。
Luckily,forbythattimeJimHookerhad,withcharacteristicgloominess,foundtimetotastethepangsofenvy——anenvythemorekeensince,inspiteofhissuccessasapeacefulcontractor,hehadalwayssecretlylongedformilitarydisplayanddistinction。
Helookedatthemanwhohadachievedit,ashefirmlybelieved,bysheerluckandaccident,andhiseyesdarkened。Then,withcharacteristicweaknessandvanity,hebegantoresisthisfirstimpressionsofClarence’ssuperiority,andtoairhisownimportance。Heleanedheavilybackinthechairinwhichhehadbeenthusgeniallyforced,drewoffhisgauntletandattemptedtothrustitthroughhisbelt,ashehadseenBrantdo,butfailedonaccountofhispistolsalreadyoccupyingthatposition,droppedit,gothisswordbetweenhislegsinattemptingtopickitup,andthenleanedbackagain,withhalf-closedeyesserenelyindifferentofhisoldcompanion’ssmilingface。
\"Ireckon,\"hebeganslowly,withaslightlypatronizingair,\"thatwe’dhavemet,soonerorlater,atWashington,oratGrant’sheadquarters,forHooker,Meacham&Co。goeverywhere,andareaboutaswellknownasmajor-generals,tosaynothin’,\"hewenton,withasidelongglanceatBrant’sshoulder-straps,\"ofbrigadiers;
andit’sratherstrange——only,ofcourse,you’rekindoffreshintheservice——thatyouain’theardofmeafore。\"
\"ButI’mverygladtohearofyounow,Jim,\"saidBrant,smiling,\"andfromyourownlips——whichIamalsodelightedtofind,\"headdedmischievously,\"arestillasfranklycommunicativeonthattopicasofold。ButIcongratulateyou,oldfellow,onyourgoodfortune。Whendidyouleavethestage?\"
Mr。Hookerfrownedslightly。
\"Ineverwasreallyonthestage,youknow,\"hesaid,wavinghishandwithassumednegligence。\"Onlywentontopleasemywife。
Mrs。Hookerwouldn’tactwithvulgarprofessionals,don’tyousee!
Iwasreallymanagermostofthetime,andlesseeofthetheatre。
WentEastwhenthewarbrokeout,tooffermyswordandknowledgeofInginfightin’toUncleSam!DriftedintoabigporkcontractatSt。Louis,withFremont。Beenatiteversince。Offeredacommissioninthereg’larservicelotso’times。Refused。\"
\"Why?\"askedBrantdemurely。
\"ToomuchWestPointstarcharoundtosuitME,\"returnedHookerdarkly。\"Andtoomanyspies!\"
\"Spies?\"echoedBrantabstractedly,withamomentaryreminiscenceofMissFaulkner。
\"Yes,spies,\"continuedHooker,withdoggedmystery。\"OnehalfofWashingtoniswatchingt’otherhalf,and,fromthePresident’swifedown,mostofthewomenaresecesh!\"
Brantsuddenlyfixedhiskeeneyesonhisguest。ButthenextmomenthereflectedthatthiswasonlyJimHooker’susualspeech,andpossessednoulteriorsignificance。Hesmiledagain,andsaid,moregently,——
\"AndhowisMrs。Hooker?\"
Mr。Hookerfixedhiseyesontheceiling,rose,andpretendedtolookoutofthewindow;then,takinghisseatagainbythetable,asiffrontinganimaginaryaudience,andpullingslowlyathisgauntletsaftertheusualtheatricalindicationofperfectsangfroid,said,——
\"Thereain’tany!\"
\"Goodheavens!\"saidBrant,withgenuineemotion。\"Ibegyourpardon。Really,I\"——
\"Mrs。Hookerandmearedivorced,\"continuedHooker,slightlychanginghisattitude,andleaningheavilyonhissabre,withhiseyesstillonhisfancifulaudience。\"Therewas,youunderstand\"——
lightlytossinghisgauntletaside——\"incompatibilityoftemper——
and——we——parted!Ha!\"
Heutteredalow,bitter,scornfullaugh,which,however,producedthedistinctimpressioninBrant’smindthatuptothatmomenthehadneverhadtheslightestfeelinginthematterwhatever。
\"Youseemedtobeonsuchgoodtermswitheachother!\"murmuredBrantvaguely。
\"Seemed!\"saidHookerbitterly,glancingsardonicallyatanidealsecondrowinthepitbeforehim,\"yes——seemed!Therewereotherdifferences,socialandpolitical。Youunderstandthat;youhavesuffered,too。\"HereachedouthishandandpressedBrant’s,inheavyeffusiveness。\"But,\"hecontinuedhaughtily,lightlytossinghisgloveagain,\"wearealsomenoftheworld;weletthatpass。\"
Anditwaspossiblethathefoundthestrainofhispresentattitudetoogreat,forhechangedtoaneasierposition。
\"But,\"saidBrantcuriously,\"IalwaysthoughtthatMrs。HookerwasintenselyUnionandNorthern?\"
\"Puton!\"saidHooker,inhisnaturalvoice。
\"Butyouremembertheincidentoftheflag?\"persistedBrant。
\"Mrs。Hookerwasalwaysanactress,\"saidHookersignificantly。
\"But,\"headdedcheerfully,\"Mrs。HookerisnowthewifeofSenatorBoompointer,oneofthewealthiestandmostpowerfulRepublicansinWashington——carriesthepatronageofthewholeWestinhisvestpocket。\"
\"Yet,ifsheisnotaRepublican,whydidshe\"——beganBrant。
\"Forapurpose,\"repliedHookerdarkly。\"But,\"headdedagain,withgreatercheerfulness,\"shebelongstotheveryeliteofWashingtonsociety。Goestoalltheforeignambassadors’balls,andisapowerattheWhiteHouse。Herpictureisinallthefirst-classillustratedpapers。\"
Thesingularbutunmistakableprideofthemanintheimportanceofthewifefromwhomhewasdivorced,andforwhomhedidnotcare,wouldhaveoffendedBrant’sdelicacy,oratleasthaveexcitedhisridicule,butforthereasonthathewasmoredeeplystungbyHooker’sallusiontohisownwifeandhisdegradingsimilitudeoftheirtwoconditions。ButhedismissedtheformeraspartofHooker’sinvincibleandstillboyishextravagance,andthelatteraspartofhisequallycharacteristicassumption。Perhapshewasconscious,too,notwithstandingthelapseofyearsandthecondonationofseparationandforgetfulness,thathedeservedlittledelicacyfromthehandsofSusy’shusband。Nevertheless,hedreadedtohearhimspeakagainofher;andthefearwasrealizedinaquestion。
\"Doessheknowyouarehere?\"
\"Who?\"saidBrantcurtly。
\"Yourwife。Thatis——Ireckonshe’syourwifestill,eh?\"
\"Yes;butIdonotknowwhatsheknows,\"returnedBrantquietly。
Hehadregainedhisself-composure。
\"Susy,——Mrs。SenatorBoompointer,thatis,\"——saidHooker,withanapparentdignityinhislatewife’snewtitle,\"allowedthatshe’dgoneabroadonasecretmissionfromtheSouthernConfederacytothemcrownedheadsoverthere。Shewasgoodatropin’menin,youknow。Anyhow,Susy,aforeshewasMrs。Boompointer,wasdeadsetonfindin’outwhereshewas,butnevercould。Sheseemedtodropoutofsightayearago。Somesaidonething,andsomesaidanother。ButyoucanbetyourbottomdollarthatMrs。SenatorBoompointer,whoknowshowtopullallthewiresinWashington,willknow,ifanyonedoes。\"
\"ButisMrs。Boompointerreallydisaffected,andaSouthernsympathizer?\"saidBrant,\"orisitonlycapriceorfashion?\"
Whilespeakinghehadrisen,withahalf-abstractedface,andhadgonetothewindow,wherehestoodinalisteningattitude。
Presentlyheopenedthewindow,andsteppedoutside。Hookerwonderinglyfollowedhim。Oneortwoofficershadalreadysteppedoutoftheirrooms,andwerestandingupontheveranda;anotherhadhaltedinthepath。Thenonequicklyre-enteredthehouse,reappearedwithhiscapandswordinhishand,andranlightlytowardtheguard-house。Aslightcracklingnoiseseemedtocomefrombeyondthegardenwall。
\"What’sup?\"saidHooker,withstaringeyes。
\"Picketfiring!\"
Thecracklingsuddenlybecamealongrattle。Brantre-enteredtheroom,andpickeduphishat。
\"You’llexcusemeforafewmoments。\"
Afaintsound,softyetfull,andnotunlikeaburstingbubble,madethehouseappeartoleapelastically,likethereboundofarubberball。
\"What’sthat?\"gaspedHooker。
\"Cannon,outofrange!\"
CHAPTERV。
Inanotherinstantbugleswereringingthroughthecamp,withthehurryinghoofsofmountedofficersandthetramplingofformingmen。Thehouseitselfwasalmostdeserted。Althoughthesinglecannon-shothadbeenenoughtoshowthatitwasnomereskirmishingofpickets,Brantstilldidnotbelieveinanyseriousattackoftheenemy。Hisposition,asinthepreviousengagement,hadnostrategicimportancetothem;theywerenodoubtonlymakingafeintagainstittoconcealsomeadvanceuponthecentreofthearmytwomilesaway。Satisfiedthathewasineasysupportingdistanceofhisdivisioncommander,heextendedhislinealongtheridge,readytofallbackinthatdirection,whileretardingtheiradvanceandmaskingthepositionofhisownchief。Hegaveafewordersnecessarytotheprobableabandonmentofthehouse,andthenreturnedtoit。Shotandshellwerealreadydroppinginthefieldbelow。Athinridgeofbluehazeshowedthelineofskirmishfire。
Asmallconical,whitecloud,likeaburstingcotton-pod,revealedanopenbatteryinthewillow-fringedmeadow。Yetthepastoralpeacefulnessofthehousewasunchanged。Theafternoonsunlaysoftlyonitsdeepverandas;thepotpourriincenseoffallenrose-
leaveshaunteditstill。
HeenteredhisroomthroughtheFrenchwindowontheveranda,whenthedoorleadingfromthepassagewassuddenlyflungopen,andMissFaulknersweptquicklyinside,closedthedoorbehindher,andleanedbackagainstit,pantingandbreathless。
Clarencewasstartled,andforamomentashamed。Hehadsuddenlyrealizedthatintheexcitementhehadentirelyforgottenherandthedangerstowhichshemightbeexposed。Shehadprobablyheardthefiring,herwomanlyfearshadbeenawakened;shehadcometohimforprotection。Butasheturnedtowardsherwithareassuringsmile,hewasshockedtoseethatheragitationandpallorwerefarbeyondanyphysicalcause。Shemotionedhimdesperatelytoshutthewindowbywhichhehadentered,andsaid,withwhitelips,——
\"Imustspeakwithyoualone!\"
\"Certainly。Butthereisnoimmediatedangertoyouevenhere——andIcansoonputyoubeyondthereachofanypossibleharm。\"
\"Harm——tome!God!ifitwereonlythat!\"
Hestaredatheruneasily。
\"Listen,\"shesaidgaspingly,\"listentome!Thenhate,despiseme——killmeifyouwill。Foryouarebetrayedandruined——cutoffandsurrounded!Ithasbeenhelpedonbyme,butIsweartoyoutheblowdidnotcomefromMYhand。Iwouldhavesavedyou。Godonlyknowshowithappened——itwasFate!\"
InaninstantBrantsawthewholetruthinstinctivelyandclearly。
Butwiththerevelationcametheusualcalmnessandperfectself-
possessionwhichneveryethadfailedhiminanyemergency。Withthesoundoftheincreasingcannonadeanditsshiftingpositionmadeclearertohisears,theviewofhiswholethreatenedpositionspreadoutlikeamapbeforehiseyes,theswiftcalculationofthetimehismencouldholdtheridgeinhismind——evenahurriedestimateofthepreciousmomentshecouldgivetothewretchedwomanbeforehim——heeventhen,gravelyandgently,ledhertoachairandsaidinacalmvoice,——
\"Thatisnotenough!Speakslowly,plainly。Imustknoweverything。Howandinwhatwayhaveyoubetrayedme?\"
Shelookedathimimploringly——reassured,yetawedbyhisgentleness。
\"Youwon’tbelieveme;youcannotbelieveme!forIdonotevenknow。Ihavetakenandexchangedletters——whosecontentsIneversaw——betweentheConfederatesandaspywhocomestothishouse,butwhoisfarawaybythistime。IdiditbecauseIthoughtyouhatedanddespisedmebecauseIthoughtitwasmydutytohelpmycause——becauseyousaiditwas’war’betweenus——butIneverspiedonyou。Iswearit。\"
\"Thenhowdoyouknowofthisattack?\"hesaidcalmly。
Shebrightened,halftimidly,halfhopefully。
\"ThereisawindowinthewingofthishousethatoverlookstheslopeneartheConfederatelines。Therewasasignalplacedinit——
notbyme——butIknowitmeantthataslongasitwastheretheplot,whateveritwas,wasnotripe,andthatnoattackwouldbemadeonyouaslongasitwasvisible。ThatmuchIknow,——thatmuchthespyhadtotellme,forwebothhadtoguardthatroominturns。Iwantedtokeepthisdreadfulthingoff——until\"——hervoicetrembled,\"until,\"sheaddedhurriedly,seeinghiscalmeyeswerereadingherverysoul,\"untilIwentaway——andforthatpurposeI
withheldsomeofthelettersthatweregivenme。Butthismorning,whileIwasawayfromthehouse,Ilookedbackandsawthatthesignalwasnolongerthere。Someonehadchangedit。Iranback,butIwastoolate——Godhelpme!——asyousee。\"
ThetruthflasheduponBrant。Itwashisownhandthathadprecipitatedtheattack。Butalargertruthcametohimnow,likeadazzlinginspiration。Ifhehadthusprecipitatedtheattackbeforetheywereready,therewasachancethatitwasimperfect,andtherewasstillhope。Buttherewasnotraceofthisvisibleinhisfaceashefixedhiseyescalmlyonhers,althoughhispulseswerehaltinginexpectancyashesaid——
\"Thenthespyhadsuspectedyou,andchangedit。\"
\"Oh,no,\"shesaideagerly,\"forthespywaswithmeandwasfrightenedtoo。Webothranbacktogether——youremember——shewasstoppedbythepatrol!\"
Shecheckedherselfsuddenly,buttoolate。Hercheeksblazed,herheadsank,withthefoolishidentificationofthespyintowhichhereagernesshadbetrayedher。
ButBrantappearednottonoticeit。Hewas,infact,puzzlinghisbraintoconceivewhatinformationthestupidmulattowomancouldhaveobtainedhere。Hisstrength,hispositionwasnosecrettotheenemy——therewasnothingtogainfromhim。Shemusthavebeen,likethetrembling,eagerwomanbeforehim,ameretoolofothers。
\"Didthiswomanlivehere?\"hesaid。
\"No,\"shesaid。\"ShelivedwiththeManlys,buthadfriendswhomshevisitedatyourgeneral’sheadquarters。\"
WithdifficultyBrantsuppressedastart。Itwascleartohimnow。
Theinformationhadbeenobtainedatthedivisionheadquarters,andpassedthroughhiscampasbeingnearesttheConfederatelines。
Butwhatwastheinformation——andwhatmovementhadheprecipitated?
Itwasclearthatthiswomandidnotknow。Helookedatherkeenly。
Asuddenexplosionshookthehouse,——adriftofsmokepassedthewindow,——ashellhadburstinthegarden。
Shehadbeengazingathimdespairingly,wistfully——butdidnotblanchorstart。
Anideatookpossessionofhim。Heapproachedher,andtookhercoldhand。Ahalf-smilepartedherpalelips。
\"Youhavecourage——youhavedevotion,\"hesaidgravely。\"Ibelieveyouregretthestepyouhavetaken。Ifyoucouldundowhatyouhavedone,evenatperiltoyourself,dareyoudoit?\"
\"Yes,\"shesaidbreathlessly。
\"Youareknowntotheenemy。IfIamsurrounded,youcouldpassthroughtheirlinesunquestioned?\"
\"Yes,\"shesaideagerly。
\"Anotefrommewouldpassyouagainthroughthepicketsofourheadquarters。Butyouwouldbearanotetothegeneralthatnoeyesbuthismustsee。Itwouldnotimplicateyouoryours;wouldonlybeawordofwarning。\"
\"Andyou,\"shesaidquickly,\"wouldbesaved!Theywouldcometoyourassistance!Youwouldnotthenbetaken?\"
Hesmiledgently。
\"Perhaps——whoknows!\"
Hesatdownandwrotehurriedly。
\"This,\"hesaid,handingheraslipofpaper,\"isapass。Youwilluseitbeyondyourownlines。Thisnote,\"hecontinued,handingherasealedenvelope,\"isforthegeneral。Nooneelsemustseeitorknowofit——notevenyourlover,shouldyoumeethim!\"
\"Mylover!\"shesaidindignantly,withaflashofheroldsavagery;
\"whatdoyoumean?Ihavenolover!\"
Brantglancedatherflushedface。
\"Ithought,\"hesaidquietly,\"thattherewassomeoneyoucaredforinyonderlines——someoneyouwroteto。Itwouldhavebeenanexcuse\"——
Hestopped,asherfacepaledagain,andherhandsdroppedheavilyatherside。
\"GoodGod!——youthoughtthat,too!YouthoughtthatIwouldsacrificeyouforanotherman!\"
\"Pardonme,\"saidBrantquickly。\"Iwasfoolish。Butwhetheryourloverisamanoracause,youhaveshownawoman’sdevotion。And,inrepairingyourfault,youareshowingmorethanawoman’scouragenow。\"
Tohissurprise,thecolorhadagainmountedherprettycheeks,andevenaflashofmischiefshoneinherblueeyes。
\"Itwouldhavebeenanexcuse,\"shemurmured,\"yes——tosaveaman,surely!\"Thenshesaidquickly,\"Iwillgo。Atonce!Iamready!\"
\"Onemoment,\"hesaidgravely。\"Althoughthispassandanescortinsureyourprobablesafeconduct,thisis’war’anddanger!Youarestillaspy!Areyoureadytogo?\"
\"Iam,\"shesaidproudly,tossingbackabraidofherfallenhair。
Yetamomentaftershehesitated。Thenshesaid,inalowervoice,\"Areyoureadytoforgive?\"
\"Ineithercase,\"hesaid,touchedbyhermanner;\"andGodspeedyou!\"
Heextendedhishand,andleftaslightpressureonhercoldfingers。Buttheyslippedquicklyfromhisgrasp,andsheturnedawaywithaheightenedcolor。
Hesteppedtothedoor。Oneortwoaides-de-camp,withheldbyhisorderagainstintrusion,werewaitingeagerlywithreports。Thehorseofamountedfieldofficerwaspawingthegardenturf。Theofficersstaredattheyounggirl。
\"TakeMissFaulkner,withaflag,tosomesafepointoftheenemy’sline。Sheisanon-combatantoftheirown,andwillreceivetheirprotection。\"
Hehadscarcelyexchangedadozenwordswiththeaides-de-campbeforethefieldofficerhurriedlyentered。TakingBrantaside,hesaidquickly,——
\"Pardonme,General;butthereisastrongfeelingamongthementhatthisattackistheresultofsomeinformationobtainedbytheenemy。Youmustknowthatthewomanyouhavejustgivenasafeguardtoissuspected,andthemenareindignant。\"
\"Themorereasonwhysheshouldbeconveyedbeyondanyconsequencesoftheirfolly,Major,\"saidBrantfrigidly,\"andIlooktoyouforhersafeconvoy。Thereisnothinginthisattacktoshowthattheenemyhasreceivedanyinformationregardingus。ButIwouldsuggestthatitwouldbebettertoseethatmyordersarecarriedoutregardingtheslavesandnon-combatantswhoarepassingourlinesfromdivisionalheadquarters,wherevaluableinformationmaybeobtained,thaninthesurveillanceofatestyandoutspokengirl。\"
Anangryflushcrossedthemajor’scheekashesalutedandfellback,andBrantturnedtotheaide-de-camp。Thenewswasgrave。
Thecolumnoftheenemywasmovingagainsttheridge——itwasnolongerpossibletoholdit——andthebrigadewascutofffromitscommunicationwiththedivisionalheadquarters,althoughasyetnocombinedmovementwasmadeagainstit。Brant’ssecretfearsthatitwasanintendedimpactagainstthecentrewereconfirmed。Wouldhiscommunicationtothedivisionalcommanderpassthroughtheattackingcolumnintime?
Yetonethingpuzzledhim。Theenemy,afterforcinghisflank,hadshownnodisposition,evenwiththeiroverwhelmingforce,toturnasideandcrushhim。Hecouldeasilyhavefallenback,whenitwaspossibletoholdtheridgenolonger,withoutpursuit。Hisotherflankandrearwerenotthreatened,astheymighthavebeen,bythedivisionofsolargeanattackingcolumn,whichwasmovingsteadilyontowardstheridge。Itwasthisfactthatseemedtoshowafailureorimperfectionintheenemy’splan。Itwaspossiblethathisprecipitationoftheattackbythechangedsignalhadbeenthecauseofit。Doubtlesssomeprovisionhadbeenmadetoattackhiminflankandrear,butintheunexpectedhurryoftheonsetithadtobeabandoned。Hecouldstillsavehimself,ashisofficersknew;buthisconvictionthathemightyetbeabletosupporthisdivisionalcommanderbyholdinghispositiondoggedly,butcoollyawaitinghisopportunity,wasstrong。Morethanthat,itwashistemperamentandinstinct。
Harryingtheminflankandrear,contestingthegroundinchbyinch,andholdinghisownagainsttheartillerysenttodislodgehim,ortheoutridingcavalrythat,circlinground,sweptthroughhisopenranks,hesawhisfilesmeltawaybesidethissteadycurrentwithoutflinching。
CHAPTERVI。
Yetallalongthefatefulridge——nowobscuredandconfusedwiththincrossingsmoke-driftsfromfile-firing,likepartlyrubbed-outslate-pencilmarks;orelse,whenclearedofthosedrifts,presentingonlyanindistinguishablemapofzigzaglinesofstragglingwagonsandhorses,unintelligibletoanyeyebuthis——
thesingularmagnetismofthechiefwasfelteverywhere:whetheritwasshowninthequickclosinginofresistancetosomesharperonsetoftheenemyorthemoredoggedstandofinactionunderfire,hispowerwasalwaysdominant。Awordortwoofcomprehensivedirectionsentthroughanaide-de-camp,orthesuddenreliefofhisdark,watchful,composedfaceupliftedabovealineofbayonets,neverfailedintheirmagic。Likeallbornleaders,heseemedintheseemergenciestoholdacharmedlife——infectinghisfollowerswithalikedisbeliefindeath;mendroppedtorightandleftofhimwithsereneassuranceintheirghastlyfacesoracryoflifeandconfidenceintheirlastgasp。Stragglersfellinandclosedupunderhispassingglance;ahopeless,inextricablewranglearoundanoverturnedcaisson,ataturnoftheroad,resolveditselfintoanorderly,quiet,deliberateclearingawayoftheimpedimentbeforethesignificantwaitingofthatdark,silenthorseman。
Yetunderthisimperturbablemaskhewaskeenlyconsciousofeverything;inthatapparentconcentrationtherewasasharpeningofallhissensesandhisimpressibility:hesawthefirsttraceofdoubtoralarminthefaceofasubalterntowhomhewasgivinganorder;thefirsttouchofsluggishnessinare-formingline;themoresignificantclumsinessofalivingevolutionthatheknewwascloggedbythedeadbodiesofcomrades;theominoussilenceofabreastwork;theawfulinertiaofsomerigidlykneelingfilesbeyond,whichstillkepttheirformbutneverwouldmoveagain;themeltingawayofskirmishpoints;thesuddengapshereandthere;
thesickeningincurvingofwhatamomentbeforehadbeenastraightline——allthesehesawinalltheirfatalsignificance。Butevenatthismoment,cominguponahastybarricadeofoversetcommissarywagons,hestoppedtoglanceatafamiliarfigurehehadseenbutanhourago,whonowseemedtobecommandingagroupofcollectedstragglersandcampfollowers。Mountedonawheel,witharevolverineachhandandabowieknifebetweenhisteeth——theatricaleveninhisparoxysmofundoubtedcourage——glaredJimHooker。AndClarenceBrant,withthewholeresponsibilityofthefieldonhisshoulders,evenatthatdesperatemoment,foundhimselfrecallingavividpictureoftheactorHookerpersonatingthecharacterof\"RedDick\"in\"Rosalie,thePrairieFlower,\"ashehadseenhiminaCaliforniatheatrefiveyearsbefore。
Itwantedstillanhourofthedarknessthatwouldprobablyclosethefightofthatday。Couldheholdout,keepinghisoffensivepositionsolong?Ahastycouncilwithhisofficersshowedhimthattheweaknessoftheirpositionhadalreadyinfectedthem。
Theyremindedhimthathislineofretreatwasstillopen——thatinthecourseofthenighttheenemy,althoughstillpressingtowardsthedivisioncentre,mightyetturnandoutflankhim——orthattheirstrangelydelayedsupportsmightcomeupbeforemorning。Brant’sglass,however,remainedfixedonthemaincolumn,stillpursuingitswayalongtheridge。Itstruckhimsuddenly,however,thatthesteadycurrenthadstopped,spreadoutalongthecrestonbothsides,andwasnowatrightangleswithitspreviouscourse。Therehadbeenacheck!Thenextmomentthethunderofgunsalongthewholehorizon,andtherisingcloudofsmoke,revealedalineofbattle。Thedivisioncentrewasengaged。Theopportunityhehadlongedforhadcome——thedesperatechancetothrowhimselfontheirrearandcuthiswaythroughtothedivision——butithadcometoolate!Helookedathisshatteredranks——scarcearegimentremained。
Evenasademonstration,theattackwouldfailagainsttheenemy’ssuperiornumbers。Nothingclearlywaslefttohimnowbuttoremainwherehewas——withinsupportingdistance,andawaittheissueofthefightbeyond。Hewasputtinguphisglass,whenthedullboomofcannonintheextremewesternlimitofthehorizonattractedhisattention。Bythestillgleamingskyhecouldseealonggraylinestealingupfromthevalleyfromthedistantrearoftheheadquarterstojointhemaincolumn。Theywerethemissingsupports!Hisheartleaped。Heheldthekeyofthemysterynow。Theoneimperfectdetailoftheenemy’splanwasbeforehim。Thesupports,cominglaterfromthewest,hadonlyseenthesecondsignalfromthewindow——whenMissFaulknerhadreplacedthevase——andhadavoidedhisposition。Itwasimpossibletolimittheeffectofthisblunder。Iftheyounggirlwhohadthussavedhimhadreachedthedivisioncommanderwithhismessageintime,hemightbeforewarned,andevenprofitbyit。Hisownpositionwouldbelessprecarious,astheenemy,alreadyengagedinfront,wouldbeunabletorecovertheirpositionintherearandcorrecttheblunder。Thebulkoftheircolumnhadalreadystreamedpasthim。Ifdefeated,therewasalwaysthedangerthatitmightberolledbackuponhim——butheconjecturedthatthedivisioncommanderwouldattempttopreventthejunctionofthesupportswiththemaincolumnbybreakingbetweenthem,crowdingthemfromtheridge,andjoininghim。Asthelaststragglersoftherearguardsweptby,Brant’sbugleswerealreadyrecallingtheskirmishers。Heredoubledhispickets,andresolvedtowaitandwatch。
Andtherewasthemorepainfuldutyoflookingafterthewoundedandthedead。Thelargerroomsoftheheadquartershadalreadybeenusedasahospital。Passingfromcottocot,recognizinginthefacesnowdrawnwithagony,orstaringinvacantunconsciousness,thefeaturesthathehadseenonlyafewhoursbeforeflushedwithenthusiasmandexcitement,somethingofhisolddoubting,questioningnaturereturned。Wastherenowaybutthis?HowfarwasHE——movingamongthemunscathedanduninjured——responsible?
Andifnothe——whothen?Hismindwentbackbitterlytotheolddaysoftheconspiracy——totheinceptionofthatstrugglewhichwasbearingsuchghastlyfruit。Hethoughtofhistraitorouswife,untilhefelthischeekstingle,andhewasfaintoaverthiseyesfromthoseofhisprostratecomrades,inastrangefearthat,withtheclairvoyanceofdyingmen,theyshouldreadhissecret。
Itwaspastmidnightwhen,withoutundressing,hethrewhimselfuponhisbedinthelittleconvent-likecelltosnatchafewmomentsofsleep。Itsspotless,peacefulwallsanddraperiesaffectedhimstrangely,asifhehadbroughtintoitsimmaculateserenitythesanguinestainofwar。Hewasawakenedsuddenlyfromadeepslumberbyanindefinitesenseofalarm。Hisfirstthoughtwasthathehadbeensummonedtorepelanattack。Hesatupandlistened;everythingwassilentexceptthemeasuredtreadofthesentryonthegravelwalkbelow。Butthedoorwasopen。Hesprangtohisfeetandslippedintothegalleryintimetoseethetallfigureofawomanglidebeforethelastmoonlitwindowatitsfarthestend。Hecouldnotseeherface——butthecharacteristicturbanedheadofthenegroracewasplainlyvisible。
Hedidnotcaretofollowheroreventoalarmtheguard。Ifitwerethespyoroneofheremissaries,shewaspowerlessnowtodoanyharm,andunderhislateordersandtherigorousvigilanceofhissentinelsshecouldnotleavethelines——or,indeed,thehouse。
Sheprobablyknewthisaswellashedid;itwas,therefore,nodoubtonlyanaccidentalintrusionofoneoftheservants。Here-enteredtheroom,andstoodforafewmomentsbythewindow,lookingoverthemoonlitridge。Thesoundsofdistantcannonhadlongsinceceased。Wideawake,andrefreshedbythekeenmorningair,whichaloneofallcreatedthingsseemedtohaveshakentheburdenofthedreadfulyesterdayfromitsdewywings,heturnedawayandlitacandleonthetable。Ashewasrebucklinghisswordbelthesawapieceofpaperlyingonthefootofthebedfromwhichhehadjustrisen。Takingittothecandle,hereadinaroughlyscrawledhand:
\"Youareasleepwhenyoushouldbeonthemarch。Youhavenotimetolose。Beforedaybreakthesupportsofthecolumnyouhavebeenfoolishlyresistingwillbeuponyou。——FromonewhowouldsaveYOU,buthatesyourcause。\"
Asmileofscornpassedhislips。Thehandwritingwasunknownandevidentlydisguised。Thepurportofthemessagehadnotalarmedhim;butsuddenlyasuspicionflasheduponhim——thatitcamefromMissFaulkner!Shehadfailedinherattempttopassthroughtheenemy’slines——orshehadnevertriedto。Shehaddeceivedhim——orhadthoughtbetterofherchivalrousimpulse,andnowsoughttomitigatehersecondtreacherybythissecondwarning。Andhehadlethermessengerescapehim!
Hehurriedlydescendedthestairs。Thesoundofvoiceswasapproachinghim。Hehalted,andrecognizedthefacesofthebrigadesurgeonandoneofhisaides-de-camp。
\"Wewerehesitatingwhethertodisturbyou,general,butitmaybeanaffairofsomeimportance。Underyourordersanegrowomanwasjustnowchallengedstealingoutofthelines。Attemptingtoescape,shewaschased,therewasastruggleandscrambleoverthewall,andshefell,strikingherhead。Shewasbroughtintotheguardhouseunconscious。\"
\"Verygood。Iwillseeher,\"saidBrant,withafeelingofrelief。
\"Onemoment,general。Wethoughtyouwouldperhapsprefertoseeheralone,\"saidthesurgeon,\"forwhenIendeavoredtobringherto,andwasspongingherfaceandheadtodiscoverherinjuries,hercolorcameoff!Shewasawhitewoman——stainedanddisguisedasamulatto。\"
ForaninstantBrant’sheartsank。ItwasMissFaulkner。
\"Didyourecognizeher?\"hesaid,glancingfromtheonetotheother。\"Haveyouseenherherebefore?\"
\"No,sir,\"repliedtheaide-de-camp。\"Butsheseemedtobequiteasuperiorwoman——alady,Ishouldsay。\"
Brantbreathedmorefreely。
\"Whereisshenow?\"heasked。
\"Intheguardhouse。Wethoughtitbetternottobringherintohospital,amongthemen,untilwehadyourorders。\"
\"Youhavedonewell,\"returnedBrantgravely。\"Andyouwillkeepthistoyourselvesforthepresent;butseethatsheisbroughtherequietlyandwithaslittlepublicityaspossible。Putherinmyroomabove,whichIgiveuptoherandanynecessaryattendant。
Butyouwilllookcarefullyafterher,doctor,\"——heturnedtothesurgeon,——\"andwhensherecoversconsciousnessletmeknow。\"
Hemovedaway。Althoughattachinglittleimportancetothemysteriousmessage,whethersentbyMissFaulkneroremanatingfromthestrangerherself,which,hereasoned,wasbasedonlyuponaknowledgeoftheoriginalplanofattack,heneverthelessquicklydispatchedasmallscoutingpartyinthedirectionfromwhichtheattackmightcome,withorderstofallbackandreportatonce。