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。
