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。
