WithacertainhalfironyofrecollectionhehadselectedJimHookertoaccompanythepartyasavolunteer。Thisdone，hereturnedtothegallery。Thesurgeonmethimatthedoor。
\"Theindicationsofconcussionarepassingaway，\"hesaid，\"butsheseemstobesufferingfromtheexhaustionfollowingsomegreatnervousexcitement。Youmaygoin——shemayrallyfromitatanymoment。\"
Withtheartificialstepandmysterioushushoftheordinaryvisitortoasickbed，Brantenteredtheroom。Butsomeinstinctgreaterthanthiscommonexpressionofhumanityheldhimsuddenlyinawe。Theroomseemednolongerhis——ithadslippedbackintothataustereconventualprivacywhichhadfirstimpressedhim。Yethehesitated；anotherstrangesuggestion——itseemedalmostavaguerecollection——overcamehimlikesomelingeringperfume，faroffandpathetic，initsdyingfamiliarity。Heturnedhiseyesalmosttimidlytowardsthebed。Thecoverletwasdrawnupnearthethroatofthefiguretoreplacethestripedcottongownstainedwithbloodanddust，whichhadbeenhurriedlytornoffandthrownonachair。
Thepaleface，cleansedofbloodanddisguisingcolor，thelonghair，stilldampfromthesurgeon’ssponge，layrigidlybackonthepillow。Suddenlythismanofsteadynerveutteredafaintcry，and，withafaceaswhiteastheupturnedonebeforehim，fellonhiskneesbesidethebed。Forthefacethatlaytherewashiswife’s！
Yes，hers！Butthebeautifulhairthatshehadgloriedin——thehairthatinhisyouthhehadthoughthadoncefallenlikeabenedictiononhisshoulder——wasstreakedwithgrayalongtheblue-
veinedhollowsofthetemples；theorbitsofthosecleareyes，beneaththeirdelicatelyarchedbrows，wereringedwithdaysofsuffering；onlytheclear-cutprofile，eventothedelicateimperiousnessoflipsandnostril，wasstillthereinallitsbeauty。Thecoverlethadslippedfromhershoulder；itsfamiliarcoldcontourstartledhim。Herememberedhow，intheirearlymarrieddays，hehadfeltthesanctityofthatDiana-likerevelation，andthestillnymph-likeausteritywhichclungtothisstrange，childlesswoman。Heevenfanciedthathebreathedagainthesubtlecharacteristicperfumeofthelaces，embroideries，anddelicateenwrappingsinherchamberatRobles。Perhapsitwastheintensityofhisgaze——perhapsitwasthemagnetismofhispresence——butherlipspartedwithahalfsigh，halfmoan。Herhead，althoughhereyeswerestillclosed，turnedonthepillowinstinctivelytowardshim。Herosefromhisknees。Hereyesopenedslowly。Asthefirstglareofwondermentclearedfromthem，theymethim——intheoldantagonismofspirit。Yetherfirstgesturewasapatheticfemininemovementwithbothhandstoarrangeherstragglinghair。Itbroughtherwhitefingers，cleanedoftheirdisguisingstains，asasuddenrevelationtoherofwhathadhappened；sheinstantlyslippedthembackunderthecoverletagain。
Brantdidnotspeak，butwithfoldedarmsstoodgazinguponher。
Anditwashervoicethatfirstbrokethesilence。
\"Youhaverecognizedme？Well，Isupposeyouknowall，\"shesaid，withaweakhalf-defiance。
Hebowedhishead。Hefeltasyethecouldnottrusthisvoice，andenviedherherown。
\"Imaysitup，mayn’tI？\"Shemanaged，bysheerforceofwill，tostruggletoasittingposture。Then，asthecoverletslippedfromthebareshoulder，shesaid，asshedrewit，withashiverofdisgust，aroundheragain，——
\"Iforgotthatyoustripwomen，youNorthernsoldiers！ButI
forgot，too，\"sheadded，withasarcasticsmile，\"thatyouarealsomyhusband，andIaminyourroom。\"
ThecontemptuoussignificanceofherspeechdispelledthelastlingeringremnantofBrant’sdream。Inavoiceasdryasherown，hesaid，——
\"IamafraidyouwillnowhavetorememberonlythatIamaNortherngeneral，andyouaSouthernspy。\"
\"Sobeit，\"shesaidgravely。Thenimpulsively，\"ButIhavenotspiedonYOU。\"
Yet，thenextmoment，shebitherlipsasiftheexpressionhadunwittinglyescapedher；andwitharecklessshrugofhershouldersshelaybackonherpillow。
\"Itmattersnot，\"saidBrantcoldly。\"Youhaveusedthishouseandthosewithinittoforwardyourdesigns。Itisnotyourfaultthatyoufoundnothinginthedispatch-boxyouopened。\"
Shestaredathimquickly；thenshruggedhershouldersagain。
\"Imighthaveknownshewasfalsetome，\"shesaidbitterly，\"andthatyouwouldwheedlehersoulawayasyouhaveothers。Well，shebetrayedme！Forwhat？\"
AflushpassedoverBrant’sface。Butwithanefforthecontainedhimself。
\"Itwastheflowerthatbetrayedyou！Theflowerwhosereddustfellintheboxwhenyouopeneditonthedeskbythewindowinyonderroom——theflowerthatstoodinthewindowasasignal——theflowerImyselfremoved，andsospoiledthemiserableplotthatyourfriendsconcocted。\"
Alookofmingledterrorandawecameintoherface。
\"YOUchangedthesignal！\"sherepeateddazedly；then，inalowervoice，\"thataccountsforitall！\"Butthenextmomentsheturnedagainfiercelyuponhim。\"Andyoumeantotellmethatshedidn’thelpyou——thatshedidn’tsellme——yourwife——toyoufor——forwhatwasit？Alook——akiss！\"
\"Imeantosaythatshedidnotknowthesignalwaschanged，andthatsheherselfrestoredittoitsplace。ItisnofaultofhersnoryoursthatIamnothereaprisoner。\"
Shepassedherthinhanddazedlyacrossherforehead。
\"Isee，\"shemuttered。Thenagainburstingoutpassionately，shesaid——\"Fool！youneverwouldhavebeentouched！DoyouthinkthatLeewouldhavegoneforyou，withhighergameinyourdivisioncommander？No！Thosesupportswereafeinttodrawhimtoyourassistancewhileourmaincolumnbrokehiscentre。Yes，youmaystareatme，ClarenceBrant。Youareagoodlawyer——theysayadashingfighter，too。Ineverthoughtyouacoward，eveninyourirresolution；butyouarefightingwithmendrilledintheartofwarandstrategywhenyouwereaboyoutcastontheplains。\"Shestopped，closedhereyes，andthenadded，wearily——\"Butthatwasyesterday——to-day，whoknows？Allmaybechanged。Thesupportsmaystillattackyou。ThatwaswhyIstoppedtowriteyouthatnoteanhourago，whenIbelievedIshouldbeleavinghereforever。Yes，Ididit！\"shewenton，withhalf-wearied，half-doggeddetermination。\"Youmayaswellknowall。Ihadarrangedtofly。
Yourpicketsweretobedrawnbyfriendsofmine，whowerewaitingformebeyondyourlines。Well，IlingeredherewhenIsawyouarrive——lingeredtowriteyouthatnote。And——Iwastoolate！\"
ButBranthadbeenwatchinghervaryingexpression，herkindlingeye，herstrangemasculinegraspofmilitaryknowledge，hersoldierlyphraseology，allsonewtoher，thathescarcelyheededthefeminineendingofherspeech。ItseemedtohimnolongertheDianaofhisyouthfulfancy，butsomePallasAthene，whonowlookedupathimfromthepillow。Hehadneverbeforefullybelievedinherunselfishdevotiontothecauseuntilnow，whenitseemedtohavealmostunsexedher。InhiswildestcomprehensionofherhehadneverdreamedheraJoanofArc，andyetherswasthefacewhichmighthaveconfrontedhim，exaltedandinspired，onthebattlefielditself。Herecalledhimselfwithaneffort。
\"Ithankyouforyourwould-bewarning，\"hesaidmoregently，ifnotsotenderly，\"andGodknowsIwishyourflighthadbeensuccessful。Butevenyourwarningisunnecessary，forthesupportshadalreadycomeup；theyhadfollowedthesecondsignal，anddivergedtoengageourdivisionontheleft，leavingmealone。Andtheirruseofdrawingourcommandertoassistmewouldnothavebeensuccessful，asIhadsuspectedit，andsentamessagetohimthatIwantednohelp。\"
Itwasthetruth；itwasthesolepurportofthenotehehadsentthroughMissFaulkner。Hewouldnothavedisclosedhissacrifice；
butsogreatwasthestrangedominationofthiswomanstilloverhim，thathefeltcompelledtoasserthissuperiority。Shefixedhereyesuponhim。
\"AndMissFaulknertookyourmessage？\"shesaidslowly。\"Don’tdenyit！Nooneelsecouldhavepassedthroughourlines；andyougaveherasafeconductthroughyours。Yes，Imighthaveknownit。
Andthiswasthecreaturetheysentmeforanallyandconfidant！\"
ForaninstantBrantfeltthestingofthisenforcedcontrastbetweenthetwowomen。Butheonlysaid，——
\"YouforgetthatIdidnotknowyouwerethespy，nordoIbelievethatshesuspectedyouweremywife。\"
\"Whyshouldshe？\"shesaidalmostfiercely。\"IamknownamongthesepeopleonlybythenameofBenham——-mymaidenname。Yes！——
youcantakemeout，andshootmeunderthatname，withoutdisgracingyours。NobodywillknowthattheSouthernspywasthewifeoftheNortherngeneral！Yousee，Ihavethoughtevenofthat！\"
\"Andthinkingofthat，\"saidBrantslowly，\"youhaveputyourself——
Iwillnotsayinmypower，foryouareinthepowerofanymaninthiscampwhomayknowyou，orevenhearyouspeak。Well，letusunderstandeachotherplainly。Idonotknowhowgreatasacrificeyourdevotiontoyourcausedemandsofyou；Idoknowwhatitseemstodemandofme。Hearme，then！Iwilldomybesttoprotectyou，andgetyousafelyawayfromhere；but，failingthat，ItellyouplainlythatIshallblowoutyourbrainsandmyowntogether。\"
Sheknewthathewoulddoit。Yethereyessuddenlybeamedwithanewandawakeninglight；sheputbackherhairagain，andhalfraisedherselfuponthepillow，togazeathisdark，setface。
\"AndasIshallletnootherlifebutoursbeperiledinthisaffair，\"hewentonquietly，\"andwillaccompanyyoumyselfinsomedisguisebeyondthelines，wewilltogethertaketherisks——orthebulletsofthesentriesthatmaysaveusbothallfurthertrouble。
Anhourortwomorewillsettlethat。Untilthenyourweakconditionwillexcuseyoufromanydisturbanceorintrusionhere。
Themulattowomanyouhavesometimespersonatedmaybestillinthishouse；Iwillappointhertoattendyou。Isupposeyoucantrusther，foryoumustpersonateheragain，andescapeinherclothes，whileshetakesyourplaceinthisroomasmyprisoner。\"
\"Clarence！\"
Hervoicehadchangedsuddenly；itwasnolongerbitterandstridulous，butlowandthrillingashehadheardhercalltohimthatnightinthepatioofRobles。Heturnedquickly。Shewasleaningfromthebed——herthin，whitehandsstretchedappealinglytowardshim。
\"Letusgotogether，Clarence，\"shesaideagerly。\"Letusleavethishorribleplace——thesewicked，cruelpeople——forever。Comewithme！Comewithmetomypeople——tomyownfaith——tomyownhouse——whichshallbeyours！Comewithmetodefenditwithyourgoodsword，Clarence，againstthosevileinvaderswithwhomyouhavenothingincommon，andwhoarethedirtunderyourfeet。Yes，yes！Iknowit！——Ihavedoneyouwrong——IhaveliedtoyouwhenI
spokeagainstyourskillandpower。Youareahero——abornleaderofmen！Iknowit！HaveInothearditfromthemenwhohavefoughtagainstyou，andyetadmiredandunderstoodyou，ay，betterthanyourown？——gallantmen，Clarence，soldiersbredwhodidnotknowwhatyouweretomenorhowproudIwasofyouevenwhileI
hatedyou？Comewithme！Thinkwhatwewoulddotogether——withonefaith——onecause——oneambition！Think，Clarence，thereisnolimityoumightnotattain！Wearenoniggardsofourrewardsandhonors——wehavenohirelingvotestotruckleto——weknowourfriends！EvenI——Clarence——I\"——therewasastrangepathosinthesuddenhumilitythatseemedtoovercomeher——\"Ihavehadmyrewardandknownmypower。Ihavebeensentabroad，intheconfidenceofthehighest——tothehighest。Don’tturnfromme。Iamofferingyounobribe，Clarence，onlyyourdeserts。Comewithme。Leavethesecursbehind，andlivetheherothatyouare！\"
Heturnedhisblazingeyesuponher。
\"Ifyouwereaman\"——hebeganpassionately，thenstopped。
\"No！Iamonlyawomanandmustfightinawoman’sway，\"sheinterruptedbitterly。\"Yes！Iintreat，Iimplore，Iwheedle，I
flatter，Ifawn，Ilie！Icreepwhereyoustandupright，andpassthroughdoorstowhichyouwouldnotbow。Youwearyourblazonofhonoronyourshoulder；Ihidemineinaslave’sgown。AndyetI
haveworkedandstrivenandsuffered！Listen，Clarence，\"hervoiceagainsanktoitsappealingminor，——\"Iknowwhatyoumencall’honor，’thatwhichmakesyouclingtoamerelyspokenword，oranemptyoath。Well，letthatpass！Iamweary；Ihavedonemyshareofthiswork，youhavedoneyours。Letusbothfly；letusleavethefighttothosewhoshallcomeafterus，andletusgotogethertosomedistantlandwherethesoundsofthesegunsorthebloodofourbrothersnolongercryouttousforvengeance！Therearethoselivinghere——Ihavemetthem，Clarence，\"shewentonhurriedly，\"whothinkitwrongtoliftupfratricidalhandsinthestruggle，yetwhocannotliveundertheNorthernyoke。Theyare，\"
hervoicehesitated，\"goodmenandwomen——theyarerespected——theyare\"——
\"Recreantsandslaves，beforewhomyou，spyasyouare——standaqueen！\"brokeinBrant，passionately。Hestoppedandturnedtowardsthewindow。Afterapausehecamebackagaintowardsthebed——pausedagainandthensaidinalowervoice——\"Fouryearsago，Alice，inthepatioofourhouseatRobles，Imighthavelistenedtothisproposal，and——Itrembletothink——Imighthaveacceptedit！Ilovedyou；Iwasasweak，asselfish，asunreflecting，mylifewasaspurposeless——butforyou——asthecreaturesyouspeakof。Butgivemenow，atleast，thecreditofadevotiontomycauseequaltoyourown——acreditwhichIhaveneverdeniedyou！
Forthenightthatyouleftme，Iawoketoasenseofmyownworthlessnessanddegradation——perhapsIhaveeventothankyouforthatawakening——andIrealizedthebittertruth。ButthatnightI
foundmytruevocation——mypurpose，mymanhood\"——
Abitterlaughcamefromthepillowonwhichshehadlanguidlythrownherself。
\"IbelieveIleftyouwithMrs。Hooker——sparemethedetails。\"
ThebloodrushedtoBrant’sfaceandthenrecededassuddenly。
\"YouleftmewithCaptainPinckney，whohadtemptedyou，andwhomI
killed！\"hesaidfuriously。
Theywerebothstaringsavagelyateachother。Suddenlyhesaid，\"Hush！\"andsprangtowardsthedoor，asthesoundofhurriedfootstepsechoedalongthepassage。Buthewastoolate；itwasthrownopentotheofficeroftheguard，whoappeared，standingonthethreshold。
\"TwoConfederateofficersarrestedhoveringaroundourpickets。
Theydemandtoseeyou。\"
BeforeBrantcouldinterpose，twomeninridingcloaksofConfederategraysteppedintotheroomwithajauntyandself-
confidentair。
\"NotDEMAND，general，\"saidtheforemost，atall，distinguished-
lookingman，liftinghishandwithagracefuldeprecatingair。\"Infact，toosorrytobotheryouwithanaffairofnoimportanceexcepttoourselves。Abitofafter-dinnerbravadobroughtusincontactwithyourpickets，and，ofcourse，wehadtotaketheconsequences。Servedusright，andwewereluckynottohavegotabulletthroughus。Gad！I’mafraidmymenwouldhavebeenlessdiscreet！IamColonelLagrange，ofthe5thTennessee；myyoungfriendhereisCaptainFaulkner，ofthe1stKentucky。Someexcuseforayoungsterlikehim——noneforme！I\"——
Hestopped，forhiseyessuddenlyfelluponthebedanditsoccupant。Bothheandhiscompanionstarted。Buttothenatural，unaffecteddismayofagentlemanwhohadunwittinglyintrudeduponalady’sbedchamber，Brant’squickeyesawamoredisastrousconcernsuperadded。ColonelLagrangewasquicktorecoverhimself，astheybothremovedtheircaps。
\"Athousandpardons，\"hesaid，hurriedlysteppingbackwardstothedoor。\"ButIhardlyneedsaytoafellow-officer，general，thatwehadnoideaofmakingsogrossanintrusion！Weheardsomecock-
and-bullstoryofyourbeingoccupied——cross-questioninganescapedorescapingnigger——orweshouldneverhaveforcedourselvesuponyou。\"
Brantglancedquicklyathiswife。Herfacehadapparentlybecomerigidontheentranceofthetwomen；hereyeswerecoldlyfixedupontheceiling。Hebowedformally，and，withawaveofhishandtowardsthedoor，said，——
\"Iwillhearyourstorybelow，gentleman。\"
Hefollowedthemfromtheroom，stoppedtoquietlyturnthekeyinthelock，andthenmotionedthemtoprecedehimdownthestaircase。
CHAPTERVII。
NotawordwasexchangedtilltheyhadreachedthelowerlandingandBrant’sprivateroom。Dismissinghissubalternandorderlywithasign，Brantturnedtowardshisprisoners。Thejauntyease，butnottheself-possession，hadgonefromLagrange’sface；theeyesofCaptainFaulknerwerefixedonhisoldercompanionwithahalf-humorouslookofperplexity。
\"IamafraidIcanonlyrepeat，general，thatourfoolhardyfreakhasputusincollisionwithyoursentries，\"saidLagrange，withaslighthauteur，thatreplacedhisformerjauntiness；\"andwewereveryproperlymadeprisoners。Ifyouwillacceptmyparole，Ihavenodoubtourcommanderwillproceedtoexchangeacoupleofgallantfellowsofyours，whomIhavehadthehonorofmeetingwithinourownlines，andwhomyoumustmissprobablymorethanIfearoursuperiorsmissus。\"
\"Whateverbroughtyouhere，gentlemen，\"saidBrantdrily，\"Iamglad，foryoursakes，thatyouareinuniform，althoughitdoesnot，unfortunately，relievemeofanunpleasantduty。\"
\"Idon’tthinkIunderstandyou，\"returnedLagrange，coldly。
\"Ifyouhadnotbeeninuniform，youwouldprobablyhavebeenshotdownasspies，withoutthetroubleofcapture，\"saidBrantquietly。
\"Doyoumeantoimply，sir\"——beganLagrangesternly。
\"ImeantosaythattheexistenceofaConfederatespybetweenthiscampandthedivisionheadquartersissufficientlywellknowntoustojustifythestrongestaction。\"
\"Andpray，howcanthataffectus？\"saidLagrangehaughtily。
\"IneednotinformsooldasoldierasColonelLagrangethattheaiding，abetting，andevenreceivinginformationfromaspyortraitorwithinone’slinesisanequallydangerousservice。\"
\"Perhapsyouwouldliketosatisfyyourself，General，\"saidColonelLagrange，withanironicallaugh。\"Praydonothesitateonaccountofouruniform。Searchusifyoulike。\"
\"Notonenteringmylines，Colonel，\"repliedBrant，withquietsignificance。
Lagrange’scheekflushed。Butherecoveredhimselfquickly，andwithaformalbowsaid，——
\"Youwill，then，perhaps，letusknowyourpleasure？\"
\"MyDUTY，Colonel，istokeepyoubothcloseprisonershereuntilI
haveanopportunitytoforwardyoutothedivisioncommander，withareportofthecircumstancesofyourarrest。ThatIproposetodo。HowsoonImayhavethatopportunity，orifIamevertohaveit，\"continuedBrant，fixinghiscleareyessignificantlyonLagrange，\"dependsuponthechancesofwar，whichyouprobablyunderstandaswellasIdo。\"
\"WeshouldneverthinkofmakinganycalculationontheactionofanofficerofsuchinfiniteresourcesasGeneralBrant，\"saidLagrangeironically。
\"Youwill，nodoubt，haveanopportunityofstatingyourowncasetothedivisioncommander，\"continuedBrant，withanunmovedface。
\"And，\"hecontinued，turningforthefirsttimetoCaptainFaulkner，\"whenyoutellthecommanderwhatIbelievetobethefact——fromyournameandresemblance——thatyouarearelationoftheyoungladywhoforthelastthreeweekshasbeenaninmateofthishouseunderapassfromWashington，youwill，Ihavenodoubt，favorablyexplainyourownpropinquitytomylines。\"
\"MysisterTilly！\"saidtheyoungofficerimpulsively。\"Butsheisnolongerhere。ShepassedthroughthelinesbacktoWashingtonyesterday。No，\"headded，withalightlaugh，\"I’mafraidthatexcusewon’tcountforto-day。\"
Asuddenfrownuponthefaceoftheelderofficer，addedtotheperfectingenuousnessofFaulkner’sspeech，satisfiedBrantthathehadnotonlyelicitedthetruth，butthatMissFaulknerhadbeensuccessful。Buthewassincereinhissuggestionthatherrelationshiptotheyoungofficerwouldinclinethedivisioncommandertolooklenientlyuponhisfault，forhewasconsciousofasingularsatisfactioninthusbeingabletoserveher。Oftherealobjectofthetwomenbeforehimhehadnodoubt。Theywere\"thefriends\"ofhiswife，whowerewaitingforheroutsidethelines！Chancealonehadsavedherfrombeingarrestedwiththem，withtheconsequentexposureofhertreacherybeforehisownmen，who，asyet，hadnoproofofherguilt，noranysuspicionofheractualidentity。Meanwhilehisownchanceofconveyingherwithsafetybeyondhislineswasnotaffectedbytheincident；theprisonersdarenotrevealwhattheyknewofher，anditwaswithagrimtriumphthathethoughtofcompassingherescapewithouttheiraid。Nothingofthis，however，wasvisibleinhisface，whichtheyoungermanwatchedwithakindofboyishcuriosity，whileColonelLagrangeregardedtheceilingwithapolitelyrepressedyawn。\"I
regret，\"concludedBrant，ashesummonedtheofficeroftheguard，\"thatIshallhavetodepriveyouofeachother’scompanyduringthetimeyouarehere；butIshallseethatyou，separately，wantfornothinginyourconfinement。\"
\"Ifthisiswithaviewtoseparateinterrogatory，general，Icanretirenow，\"saidLagrange，rising，withironicalpoliteness。
\"IbelieveIhavealltheinformationIrequire，\"returnedBrant，withundisturbedcomposure。Givingthenecessaryorderstohissubaltern，heacknowledgedwithequalcalmtheformalsalutesofthetwoprisonersastheywereledaway，andreturnedquicklytohisbedroomabove。Hepausedinstinctivelyforamomentbeforethecloseddoor，andlistened。Therewasnosoundfromwithin。Heunlockedthedoor，andopenedit。
Soquietwastheinteriorthatforaninstant，withoutglancingatthebed，hecastaquicklookatthewindow，which，tillthen，hehadforgotten，andwhichherememberedgaveupontheverandaroof。
Butitwasstillclosed，andasheapproachedthebed，hesawhiswifestilllyingthere，intheattitudeinwhichhehadlefther。
Buthereyeswereringed，andslightlyfilmed，asifwithrecenttears。
Itwasperhapsthiscircumstancethatsoftenedhisvoice，stillharshwithcommand，ashesaid，——
\"Isupposeyouknewthosetwomen？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"AndthatIhaveputitoutoftheirpowertohelpyou？\"
\"Ido。\"
Therewassomethingsostrangelysubmissiveinhervoicethatheagainlookedsuspiciouslyather。Buthewasshockedtoseethatshewasquitepalenow，andthatthefirehadgoneoutofherdarkeyes。
\"ThenImaytellyouwhatismyplantosaveyou。But，first，youmustfindthismulattowomanwhohasactedasyourdouble。\"
\"Sheishere。\"
\"Here？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Howdoyouknowit？\"heasked，inquicksuspicion。
\"ShewasnottoleavethisplaceuntilsheknewIwassafewithinourlines。Ihavesomefriendswhoarefaithfultome。\"Afterapausesheadded，\"Shehasbeenherealready。\"
Helookedather，startled。\"Impossible——I\"——
\"Youlockedthedoor。Yes！butshehasasecondkey。Andevenifshehadnot，thereisanotherentrancefromthatcloset。Youdonotknowthishouse：youhavebeenheretwoweeks；Ispenttwoyearsofmylife，asagirl，inthisroom。\"
Anindescribablesensationcameoverhim；herememberedhowhehadfeltwhenhefirstoccupiedit；thiswasfollowedbyakeensenseofshameonreflectingthathehadbeen，eversince，butahelplesspuppetinthepowerofhisenemies，andthatshecouldhaveescapedifshewould，evennow。
\"Perhaps，\"hesaidgrimly，\"youhavealreadyarrangedyourplans？\"
Shelookedathimwithasingularreproachfulnesseveninhersubmission。
\"Ihaveonlytoldhertobereadytochangeclotheswithmeandhelpmecolormyfaceandhandsatthetimeappointed。Ihavelefttheresttoyou。\"
\"Thenthisismyplan。Ihavechangedonlyadetail。Youandshemustbothleavethishouseatthesametime，bydifferentexits，butoneofthemmustbeprivate——andunknowntomymen。Doyouknowofsuchaone？\"
\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"intherearofthenegroquarters。\"
\"Good，\"hereplied，\"thatwillbeyourwayout。Shewillleavehere，publicly，throughtheparade，armedwithapassfromme。Shewillbeoverhauledandchallengedbythefirstsentryneartheguardhouse，belowthewall。Shewillbesubjectedtosomedelayandscrutiny，whichshewill，however，beabletopassbetterthanyouwould。Thiswillcreatethemomentarydiversionthatwerequire。Inthemeantime，youwillhaveleftthehousebytherear，andyouwillthenkeepintheshadowofthehedgeuntilyoucandropdownalongtheRun，whereitemptiesintotheswamp。
That，\"hecontinued，fixinghiskeeneyesuponher，\"istheoneweakpointinthepositionofthisplacethatisneitheroverlookednordefended。Butperhaps，\"headdedagaingrimly，\"youalreadyknowit。\"
\"Itisthemarshwheretheflowersgrow，nearthepathwhereyoumetMissFaulkner。Ihadcrossedthemarshtogiveheraletter，\"
shesaidslowly。
AbittersmilecameoverBrant’sface，butpassedasquickly。
\"Enough，\"hesaidquietly，\"IwillmeetyoubesidetheRun，andcrossthemarshwithyouuntilyouarewithinhailingdistanceofyourlines。Iwillbeinplainclothes，Alice，\"hewentonslowly，\"foritwillnotbethecommanderofthisforcewhoaccompaniesyou，butyourhusband，and，withoutdisgracinghisuniform，hewilldroptoyourlevel；fortheinstanthepasseshisownlines，indisguise，hewillbecome，likeyou，aspy，andamenabletoitspenalties。\"
Hereyesseemedsuddenlytoleapuptohiswiththatstrangelookofawakeningandenthusiasmwhichhehadnotedbefore。Andinitscompleteprepossessionofallherinstinctssherosefromthebed，unheedingherbaredarmsandshouldersandloosenedhair，andstooduprightbeforehim。ForaninstanthusbandandwiferegardedeachotherasunreservedlyasintheirownchamberatRobles。
\"WhenshallIgo？\"
Heglancedthroughthewindowalreadygrowinglighterwiththecomingdawn。Thereliefwouldpassinafewmoments；thetimeseemedpropitious。
\"Atonce，\"hesaid。\"IwillsendRosetoyou。\"
Buthiswifehadalreadypassedintothecloset，andwastappinguponsomeinnerdoor。Heheardthesoundofhingesturningandtherustlingofgarments。Shereappeared，holdingthecurtainsoftheclosettogetherwithherhand，andsaid，——
\"Go！Whenshecomestoyourofficeforthepass，youwillknowthatIhavegone。\"
Heturnedaway。
\"Stop！\"shesaidfaintly。
Heturnedback。Herexpressionhadagainchanged。Herfacewasdeadlypale；astrangetremorseemedtohavetakenpossessionofher。Herhandsdroppedfromthecurtain。Herbeautifularmsmovedslightlyforward；itseemedtohimthatshewouldinthenextmomenthaveextendedthemtowardshim。Buteventhenshesaidhurriedly，\"Go！Go！\"andslippedagainbehindthecurtains。
Hequicklydescendedthestairsasthesoundoftramplingfeetontheroad，andthehurriedwordofcommand，announcedthereturnofthescoutingparty。Theofficerhadlittlereporttomakebeyondthefactthatamorningmist，creepingalongthevalley，preventedanyfurtherobservation，andbadefairtointerrupttheirowncommunicationswiththecamp。Everythingwasquietinthewest，althoughtheenemy’slinesalongtheridgeseemedtohavereceded。
Branthadlistenedimpatiently，foranewideahadseizedhim。
Hookerwasoftheparty，andwastheonemaninwhomhecouldpartlyconfide，andobtainadisguise。Heatoncemadehiswaytothecommissarywagons——oneofwhichheknewHookerusedasatent。
Hastilytellinghimthathewishedtovisitthepicketswithoutrecognition，heinducedhimtolendhimhisslouchedhatandfrockcoat，leavingwithhimhisowndistinguishingtunic，hat，andsword。HeresistedthebeltandpistolswhichHookerwouldhaveforceduponhim。Asheleftthewagonhewasamusedlyconsciousthathisoldcompanionwascharacteristicallyexaminingthegarmentshehadleftbehindwithmingledadmirationandenvy。Buthedidnotknow，asheslippedoutofthecamp，thatMr。Hookerwasquietlytryingthemon，beforeabrokenmirrorinthewagon-head！
Thegraylightofthatsummermorningwasalreadysostrongthat，toavoiddetection，hequicklydroppedintotheshadowofthegullythatslopedtowardstheRun。Thehotmistwhichthescoutshadseenwasnowlyinglikeatranquilseabetweenhimandthepicketsoftheenemy’srear-guard，whichitseemedtosubmerge，andwasclinginginmoisttenuousswathes——likedrawn-outcottonwool——
alongtheridge，halfobliteratingitsface。Fromthevalleyintherearitwasalreadystealinginathinwhitelineuptheslopeliketheadvanceofaghostlycolumn，withastealthinessthat，inspiteofhimself，touchedhimwithsuperstitioussignificance。A
warmperfume，languidandtreacherous——asfromtheswampmagnolia——
seemedtorisefromthehalf-hiddenmarsh。Anominoussilence，thatappearedtobeapartofthisveilingofallthingsundertheclearopal-tintedskyabove，wassolittlelikethehushofrestandpeace，thathehalf-yearnedfortheoutburstofmusketryandtumultofattackthatmightdispelit。AllthathehadeverheardordreamedoftheinsidiousSouth，withitslanguidsubtletiesofclimateandofrace，seemedtoencompasshimhere。
Butthenextmomenthesawthefigurehewaswaitingforstealingtowardshimfromtheshadowofthegulleybeneaththenegroquarters。
Eveninthatuncertainlighttherewasnomistakingthetallfigure，thegaudilystripedclinginggownandturbanedhead。Andthenastrangerevulsionoffeeling，quitecharacteristicoftheemotionalsideofhissingulartemperament，overcamehim。Hewastakingleaveofhiswife——thedreamofhisyouth——perhapsforever！
ItshouldbenopartinginangerasatRobles；itshouldbewithatendernessthatwouldblotouttheirpastintheirseparatememories——Godknows！itmightevenbethatapartingatthatmomentwasajoiningofthemineternity。Inhismomentaryexaltationitevenstruckhimthatitwasaduty，nolesssacred，nolessunselfishthantheonetowhichhehaddevotedhislife。Thelightwasgrowingstronger；hecouldhearvoicesinthenearestpicketline，andthesoundofacoughintheinvadingmist。Hemadeahurriedsigntotheon-comingfiguretofollowhim，ranahead，andhaltedatlastinthecoverofahackmatackbush。Stillgazingforwardoverthemarsh，hestealthilyheldouthishandbehindhimastherustlingskirtcamenearer。Atlasthishandwastouched——
butevenatthattouchhestartedandturnedquickly。
Itwasnothiswife，butRose！——hermulattodouble！Herfacewasrigidwithfright，herbeadyeyesstaringintheirchinasockets，herwhiteteethchattering。Yetshewouldhavespoken。
\"Hush！\"hesaid，clutchingherhand，inafiercewhisper。\"Notaword！\"
Shewasholdingsomethingwhiteinherfingers；hesnatcheditquickly。Itwasanotefromhiswife——notinthedisguisedhandofherfirstwarning，butinonethatherememberedasifitwereavoicefromtheirpast。
\"Forgivemefordisobeyingyoutosaveyoufromcapture，disgrace，ordeath——whichwouldhavecometoyouwhereyouweregoing！I
havetakenRose’spass。Youneednotfearthatyourhonorwillsufferbyit，forifIamstoppedIshallconfessthatItookitfromher。Thinknomoreofme，Clarence，butonlyofyourself。
Youareindanger。\"
Hecrushedtheletterinhishand。
\"Tellme，\"hesaidinafiercewhisper，seizingherarm，\"andspeaklow。Whendidyouleaveher？\"
\"Sho’lyjustnow！\"gaspedthefrightenedwoman。
Heflungheraside。Theremightbestilltimetoovertakeandsaveherbeforeshereachedthepicketlines。Heranupthegully，andoutontotheslopetowardsthefirstguard-post。Butafamiliarchallengereachedhisear，andhisheartstoppedbeating。
\"Whogoesthere？\"
Therewasapause，arattleofarmsvoices——anotherpause——andBrantstoodbreathlesslylistening。Thenthevoiceroseagainslowlyandclearly：\"Passthemulattowoman！\"
ThankGod！shewassaved！Butthethoughthadscarcelycrossedhismindbeforeitseemedtohimthatablindingcrackleofsparksburstoutalongthewholeslopebelowthewall，acharacteristicyellwhichheknewtoowellranginhisears，andanundulatinglineofdustyfigurescameleapinglikegraywolvesoutofthemistuponhispickets。Heheardtheshoutsofhismenfallingbackastheyfired；theharshcommandsofafewofficershurryingtotheirposts，andknewthathehadbeenhopelesslysurprisedandsurrounded！
Heranforwardamonghisdisorganizedmen。Tohisconsternationnooneseemedtoheedhim！Thentheremembranceofhisdisguiseflasheduponhim。Buthehadonlytimetothrowawayhishatandsnatchaswordfromafallinglieutenant，beforeascorchingflashseemedtopassbeforehiseyesandburnthroughhishair，andhedroppedlikealogbesidehissubaltern……
Anachingunderthebandagearoundhisheadwhereaspentbullethadgrazedhisscalp，andthesoundofimpossiblevoicesinhisearswereallheknewashestruggledslowlybacktoconsciousnessagain。Eventhenitstillseemedadelusion，——forhewaslyingonacotinhisownhospital，yetwithofficersofthedivisionstaffaroundhim，andthedivisioncommanderhimselfstandingbyhisside，andregardinghimwithanairofgravebutnotunkindlyconcern。Butthewoundedmanfeltinstinctivelythatitwasnottheeffectofhisphysicalcondition，andasenseofshamecamesuddenlyoverhim，whichwasnotdissipatedbyhissuperior’swords。For，motioningtheothersaside，themajor-generalleanedoverhiscot，andsaid，——
\"Untilafewmomentsago，thereportwasthatyouhadbeencapturedinthefirstrushoftherear-guardwhichwewererollingupforyourattack，andwhenyouwerepickedup，justnow，inplainclothesontheslope，youwerenotrecognized。Theonethingseemedtobeasimprobableastheother，\"headdedsignificantly。
ThemiserabletruthflashedacrossBrant’smind。Hookermusthavebeencapturedinhisclothes——perhapsinsomeextravagantsally——
andhadnotbeenrecognizedintheconfusionbyhisownofficers。
Nevertheless，heraisedhiseyestohissuperior。
\"Yougotmynote？\"
Thegeneral’sbrowdarkened。
\"Yes，\"hesaidslowly，\"butfindingyouthusunprepared——Ihadbeenthinkingjustnowthatyouhadbeendeceivedbythatwoman——orbyothers——andthatitwasaclumsyforgery。\"Hestopped，andseeingthehopelessbewildermentinthefaceofthewoundedman，addedmorekindly：\"Butwewillnottalkofthatinyourpresentcondition。Thedoctorsaysafewhourswillputyoustraightagain。Getstrong，forIwantyoutolosenotime——foryourownsake——toreportyourselfatWashington。\"
\"Reportmyself——atWashington！\"repeatedBrantslowly。
\"Thatwaslastnight’sorder，\"saidthecommander，withmilitarycurtness。Thenheburstout：\"Idon’tunderstandit，Brant！I
believeyouhavebeenmisunderstood，misrepresented，perhapsmalignedandIshallmakeitMYbusinesstoseethethingthrough——
butthosearetheDepartmentorders。Andforthepresent——Iamsorrytosayyouarerelievedofyourcommand。\"
Heturnedaway，andBrantclosedhiseyes。Withthemitseemedtohimthatheclosedhiscareer。Noonewouldeverunderstandhisexplanation——evenhadhebeentemptedtogiveone，andheknewheneverwould。Everythingwasovernow！Eventhiswretchedbullethadnotstruckhimfairly，andculminatedhisfateasitmight！
Foraninstant，herecalledhiswife’slastoffertoflywithhimbeyondtheseas——beyondthiscruelinjustice——butevenasherecalledit，heknewthatflightmeanttheworstofall——ahalf-
confession！Butshehadescaped！ThankGodforthat！Againandagaininhishopelessperplexitythiscomfortreturnedtohim，——hehadsavedher；hehaddonehisduty。Andharpinguponthisinhisstrangefatalism，itatlastseemedtohimthatthiswasforwhathehadlived——forwhathehadsuffered——forwhathehadfitlyendedhiscareer。Perhapsitwasleftforhimnowtopasshisremainingyearsinforgottenexile——evenashisfatherhad——hisfather！——hisbreathcamequicklyatthethought——Godknows！perhapsaswrongfullyaccused！ItmayhavebeenaProvidencethatshehadbornehimnochild，towhomthisdreadfulheritagecouldbeagaintransmitted。
Therewassomethingofthisstrangeandfatefulresignationinhisface，afewhourslater，whenhewasabletobehelpedagainintothesaddle。Buthecouldseeintheeyesofthefewcomradeswhocommiseratinglytookleaveofhim，avague，half-repressedaweofsomeindefiniteweaknessintheman，thatmingledwiththeirheartfeltpartingwithagallantsoldier。Yeteventhistouchedhimnolonger。Hecastaglanceatthehouseandtheroomwherehehadpartedfromher，attheslopefromwhichshehadpassed——androdeaway。
Andthen，ashisfiguredisappeareddowntheroad，therestrainedcommentaryofwonder，surmise，andcriticismbrokeout：——
\"Itmusthavebeensomethingmightybad，fortheoldman，whoswearsbyhim，lookedrathertroubled。Anditwasdeucedqueer，youknow，thischangingclotheswithsomebody，justbeforethissurprise！\"
\"Nonsense！It’ssomethingawaybackofthat！Didn’tyouheartheoldmansaythattheordersforhimtoreporthimselfcamefromWashingtonLASTNIGHT？No！\"——thespeakerloweredhisvoice——
\"Strangewayssaysthathehadregularlysoldhimselfouttooneofthemd————dseceshwomanspies！It’stheoldMarcAntonybusinessoveragain！\"
\"NowIthinkofit，\"saidayoungersubaltern，\"hedidseemmightilytakenwithoneofthosequadroonsormulattoesheissuedordersagainst。Isupposethatwasablindforus！Irememberthefirstdayhesawher；hewasregularlykeentoknowallabouther。\"
MajorCurtisgaveashortlaugh。
\"Thatmulatto，Martin，wasawhitewoman，burnt-corked！Shewastryingtogetthroughthelineslastnight，andfelloffawallorgotaknockontheheadfromasentry’scarbine。Whenshewasbroughtin，DoctorSimmonssettowashingthebloodoffherface；
thecorkcameoffandthewholethingcameout。Branthusheditup——andthewoman，too——inhisownquarters！It’ssupposednowthatshegotawaysomehowintherush！\"
\"Itgoesfurtherbackthanthat，gentlemen，\"saidtheadjutantauthoritatively。\"Theysayhiswifewasahowlingsecessionist，fouryearsago，inCalifornia，wasmixedupinaconspiracy，andhehadtoleaveonaccountofit。LookhowthickheandthatMissFaulknerbecame，beforehehelpedHERoff！\"
\"That’syourjealousy，Tommy；sheknewhewas，byallodds，thebiggestmanhere，andagooddealmore，too，andyouhadnoshow！\"
Inthelaughthatfollowed，itwouldseemthatBrant’seulogyhadbeenspokenandforgotten。ButasLieutenantMartinwasturningaway，alingeringcorporaltouchedhiscap。
\"Youwerespeakingofthoseprowlingmulattoes，sir。Youknowthegeneralpassedoneoutthismorning。\"
\"SoIhaveheard。\"
\"Ireckonshedidn’tgetveryfar。Itwasjustatthetimethatweweredriveninbytheirfirstfire，andIthinkshegothershareofit，too。Doyoumindwalkingthisway，sir！\"
Thelieutenantdidnotmind，althoughheratherlanguidlyfollowed。
Whentheyhadreachedthetopofthegully，thecorporalpointedtowhatseemedtobeabitofstripedcalicohangingonathornbushintheravine。
\"That’sher，\"saidthecorporal。\"Iknowthedress；Iwasonguardwhenshewaspassed。Thesearchers，whowerepickingupourmen，haven’tgottoheryet；butsheain’tmovedorstirredthesetwohours。Wouldyouliketogodownandseeher？\"
Thelieutenanthesitated。Hewasyoung，andslightlyfastidiousastounnecessaryunpleasantness。Hebelievedhewouldwaituntilthesearchersbroughtherup，whenthecorporalmightcallhim。
Themistcameupgloriouslyfromtheswamplikeagoldenhalo。AndasClarenceBrant，alreadyforgotten，rodemoodilythroughittowardsWashington，huggingtohisheartthesolitarycomfortofhisgreatsacrifice，hiswife，AliceBrant，forwhomhehadmadeit，waslyingintheravine，deadanduncaredfor。Perhapsitwaspartoftheinconsistencyofhersexthatshewaspiercedwiththebulletsofthoseshehadloved，andwaswearingthegarmentsoftheracethatshehadwronged。
PARTIII。
CHAPTERI。
ItwassunsetofahotdayatWashington。Evenatthathourthebroadavenues，whichdivergedfromtheCapitolliketheraysofanothersun，werefierceandglittering。Thesteriledistancesbetweenglowedmorecruellythanever，andpedestrians，keepinginthescantshade，hesitatedonthecurbstonesbeforeplungingintotheSahara-likewasteofcrossings。Thecityseemeddeserted。
Eventhatvastarmyofcontractors，speculators，place-hunters，andlobbyists，whichhungontheheelsoftheotherarmy，andhadturnedthispacificcampofthenationintoabattlefieldofignobleconflictandcontention——moredisastrousthantheonetotheSouth——hadslunkintotheirholesinhotelbackbedrooms，inshadybarrooms，orinthenegroquartersofGeorgetown，asifthemajestic，white-robedGoddessenthroneduponthedomeoftheCapitolhadatlastdescendedamongthemandwassmitingtorightandleftwiththeflatandflashofherinsufferablesword。
IntothisstiflingatmosphereofgreedandcorruptionClarenceBrantsteppedfromtheshadowoftheWarDepartment。Forthelastthreeweekshehadhaunteditsante-roomsandaudience-chambers，inthevainhopeofrightinghimselfbeforehissuperiors，whowerecontent，withoutformulatingchargesagainsthim，tokeephiminthisdisgraceofinactionandtheanxietyofsuspense。Unabletoascertainthedetailsoftheaccusation，andconsciousofhisownsecret，hewasdebarredthelastresortofdemandingacourt-
martial，whichheknewcouldonlyexoneratehimbytheexposureoftheguiltofhiswife，whomhestillhopedhadsafelyescaped。Hisdivisioncommander，inactiveoperationsinthefield，hadnotimetohelphimatWashington。Elbowedasidebygreedycontractors，forestalledbyselfishpoliticians，anddisdainingtheordinarymethodofinfluence，hehadnofriendtoturnto。Inhisfewyearsofcampaigninghehadlosthisinstinctofdiplomacy，withoutacquiringasoldier’sbluntness。
Thenearlylevelraysofthesunforcedhimatlasttoturnasideintooneoftheopeningsofalargebuilding——afamouscaravansaryofthathotel-hauntedcapital，andhepresentlyfoundhimselfintheluxuriousbar-room，fragrantwithmint，andcoolwithice-slabspiledsymmetricallyonitsmarblecounters。Afewgroupsofmenwereseekingcoolnessatsmalltableswithglassesbeforethemandpalm-leaffansintheirhands，butalargerandnoisierassemblagewascollectedbeforethebar，whereaman，collarlessandinhisshirt-sleeves，withhisbacktothecounter，waspretentiouslyaddressingthem。Brant，whohadmoodilydroppedintoachairinthecorner，afterorderingacoolingdrinkasanexcuseforhistemporaryrefugefromthestiflingstreet，half-regrettedhisenforcedparticipationintheirconviviality。Butasuddenloweringofthespeaker’svoiceintoanoteofgloomysignificanceseemedfamiliartohim。Heglancedathimquickly，fromtheshadowofhiscorner。Hewasnotmistaken——itwasJimHooker！
Forthefirsttimeinhislife，Brantwishedtoevadehim。Inthedaysofhisownprosperityhishearthadalwaysgoneouttowardsthisoldcompanionofhisboyhood；inhispresenthumiliationhispresencejarreduponhim。Hewouldhaveslippedaway，buttodosohewouldhavehadtopassbeforethecounteragain，andHooker，withtheself-consciousnessofastory-teller，hadaneyeonhisaudience。Brant，withapalm-leaffanbeforehisface，wasobligedtolisten。
