\"Yes，gentlemen，\"saidHooker，examininghisglassdramatically，\"whenaman’sbeencoopedupinaRebelprison，withadeathlinebeforehimthathe’sobligedtocrosseverytimehewantsasquaredrink，itseemssortoflikeadreamofhisboyhoodtobestandin’
herecomf’blebeforehisliquor，alongsideo’whitemenoncemore。
Andwhenheknowshe’sbinputtoallthattroublejesttosavethereputationofanotherman，andthesecretsofafewhighandmightyones，it’salmostenoughtomakehisliquorgoaginhim。\"Hestoppedtheatrically，seemedtochokeemotionallyoverhisbrandysquash，butwithapauseofdramaticdeterminationfinallydasheditdown。\"No，gentlemen，\"hecontinuedgloomily，\"Idon’tsaywhatI’mbackinWashingtonFOR——Idon’tsaywhatI’vebeensayin’tomyselfwhenI’vebinpickingtheweevilsoutermybiscuitsinLibbyPrison——butefyoudon’tseesomeprettybigmenintheWarDepartmentobligedtoclimbdowninthenextfewdays，mynameain’tJimHooker，ofHooker，Meacham&Co。，ArmyBeefContractors，andthemanwhosavedthefightatGrayOaks！\"
Thesmileofsatisfactionthatwentaroundhisaudience——anaudiencequicktoseizetheweaknessofanyperformance——mighthavestartledavanitylessobliviousthanHooker’s；butitonlyarousedBrant’sindignationandpity，andmadehispositionstillmoreintolerable。
ButHooker，scornfullyexpectoratingathinstreamoftobaccojuiceagainstthespittoon，remainedforaninstantgloomilysilent。
\"Tellusaboutthefightagain，\"saidasmilingauditor。
Hookerlookedaroundtheroomwithacertaindarksuspiciousness，andthen，inanaffectedlowervoice，whichhistheatricalexperiencemadeperfectlyaudible，wenton：——
\"Itain’tmuchtospeakof，andifitwasn’tfortheprincipleofthething，Iwouldn’tbetalking。Amanwho’sseenInjinfightin’
don’tgomuchonthishereWestPointfightin’byrule-of-three——
butthatain’thereorthere！Well，I’dbinouta-scoutin’——justtohelptheboysalong，andIwassittin’inmywagonaboutdaybreak，whenalongcomesabrigadier-general，andhelooksintothewagonflap。Ioughtertotellyoufirst，gentlemen，thateveryminithewasexpectinganattack——buthedidn’tletonahintofittome。’Howareyou，Jim？’saidhe。’Howareyou，general？’saidI。’Wouldyoumindlendin’meyourcoatandhat？’sayshe。’I’vegotalittlegameherewithourpickets，andIdon’twanttoberecognized。’’Anythingtooblige，general，’saidI，andwiththatIstripsoffmycoatandhat，andhepeelsandputsthemon。
’Nearlythesamefigure，Jim，’hesays，lookin’atme，’supposeyoutryonmythingsandsee。’Withthathehandsmehiscoat——fulluniform，byG-d！——withthelittlegoldcordsandlacesandtheepauletteswithastar，andIputsiton——quiteinnocent-like。Andthenhesays，handin’mehisswordandbelt，’Sameinchesroundthewaist，Ireckon，’andIputsthatontoo。’Youmayaswellkeep’emontillIcomeback，’sayshe，’forit’smightydampandmalariousatthistimearoundtheswamp。’Andwiththathelightsout。Well，gentlemen，Ihadn’tsattherefiveminutesbeforeBang！
bang！rattle！rattle！kershiz！andIhearsayell。Istepsoutofthewagon；everything’squitedark，buttherattlegoeson。Thenalongtrotsanorderly，leadin’ahorse。’Mount，general，’hesays，’we’reattacked——therear-guard’sonus！’\"
Hepaused，lookedroundhisaudience，andtheninalowervoice，saiddarkly，——
\"Iain’tafool，an’inthatminuteaman’sbrainworksathighpressure，andIsawitall！Isawthelittlegameofthebrigadiertoskunkawayinmyclothesandleavemetobecapturedinhis。
ButIain’tadogneither，andImountedthathorse，gentlemen，andlitouttowherethemenwereformin’！Ididn’tdaretospeak，lesttheyshouldknowme，butIwavedmysword，andbyG-d！theyfollowedme！Andthenextminitwewasinthethickofit。Ihadmyhatasfullofholesasthaticestrainer；Ihadadozenbulletsthroughmycoat，thefringeofmyepauletteswasshotaway，butI
kepttheboysattheirwork——andwestopped’em！Stopped’em，gentlemen，untilweheardthebuglesoftherestofourdivision，thatallthistimehadbeenrollingthatblastedrear-guardoveronus！Anditsavedthefight；butthenextminutetheJohnnyRebsmadealastdashandcutmeoff——andthereIwas——byG-d，aprisoner！Methathadsavedthefight！\"
ArippleofironicalapplausewentroundasHookergloomilydrainedhisglass，andthenhelduphishandinscornfuldeprecation。
\"IsaidIwasaprisoner，gentlemen，\"hewentonbitterly；\"butthatain’tall！IaskedtoseeJohnston，toldhimwhatIhaddone，anddemandedtobeexchangedforageneralofficer。Hesaid，’Youbed————d。’Ithensentwordtothedivisioncommander-in-chief，andtoldhimhowIhadsavedGrayOakswhenhisbrigadierranaway，andhesaid，’Youbed————d。’I’vebin’Youbed————d’fromthelowestnon-com。tothecommander-in-chief，andwhenIwasatlastexchanged，Iwasexchanged，gentlemen，fortwomulesandabrokenwagon。ButI’mhere，gentlemen——asIwasthar！\"
\"Whydon’tyouseethePresidentaboutit？\"askedabystander，inaffectedcommiseration。
Mr。Hookerstaredcontemptuouslyatthesuggestion，andexpectoratedhisscornfuldissent。
\"Notmuch！\"hesaid。\"ButI’mgoingtoseethemanthatcarrieshimandhisCabinetinhisbreeches-pocket——SenatorBoompointer。\"
\"Boompointer’sabigman，\"continuedhisauditordoubtfully。\"Doyouknowhim？\"
\"Knowhim？\"Mr。Hookerlaughedabitter，sardoniclaugh。\"Well，gentlemen，Iain’tthekindo’mantogoinforfamilyinfluence；
but，\"headded，withgloomyelevation，\"consideringhe’sanintimaterelationofmine，BYMARRIAGE，IshouldsayIdid。\"
Brantheardnomore；thefacingaroundofhisoldcompaniontowardsthebargavehimthatopportunityofescapinghehadbeenwaitingfor。ThedefectionofHookerandhispeculiarinventionsweretoocharacteristicofhimtoexcitesurprise，and，althoughtheynolongerawakenedhisgood-humoredtolerance，theywerepowerlesstoaffecthiminhisgreatertrouble。Onlyonethinghelearned——thatHookerknewnothingofhiswifebeingincampasaspy——theincidentwouldhavebeentootemptingtohaveescapedhisdramaticembellishment。AndtheallusiontoSenatorBoompointer，monstrousasitseemedinHooker’smouth，gavehimagrimtemptation。HehadheardofBoompointer’swonderfulpower；hebelievedthatSusywouldandcouldhelphim——Clarence——whethershedidordidnothelpHooker。Butthenextmomenthedismissedtheidea，withaflushingcheek。Howlowhadhealreadysunk，eventothinkofit！
IthadbeenonceortwiceinhismindtoseekthePresident，and，underapromiseofsecrecy，revealapartofhisstory。Hehadheardmanyanecdotesofhisgoodnessofheartandgeneroustoleranceofallthings，butwiththiswasjoined——sosaidcontemporaneoushistory——aflippancyofspeechandabrutalityofdirectnessfromwhichClarence’ssensibilityshrank。Wouldheseeanythinginhiswifebutacommonspyonhisarmy；wouldheseeanythinginhimbuttheweakvictim，likemanyothers，ofaschemingwoman？StoriescurrentincampandCongressofthewaythatthisgrimhumoristhad，withanappositeanecdoteoraruggedillustration，brushedawaythemostdelicatesentimentorthesubtlestpoetry，evenashehadexposedtheshamofPuritanicmoralityorofEpicureanethics。Branthadevensolicitedanaudience，buthadretiredawkwardly，andwithhisconfidenceunspoken，beforethedark，humorouseyes，thatseemedalmosttootolerantofhisgrievance。Hehadbeentolevees，andhishearthadsunkequallybeforethevulgarcrowd，whoseemedtoregardthismanastheirownbuffoon，andthepompousnessofposition，learninganddignity，whichheseemedtodelighttoshakeanddisturb。
Oneafternoon，afewdayslater，insheerlistlessnessofpurpose，hefoundhimselfagainattheWhiteHouse。ThePresidentwasgivingaudiencetoadeputationoffanatics，who，withapatheticsimplicityalmostequaltohisownpathetictolerance，wereurginguponthisrulerofmillionsthepolicyofaninsignificantscore，andBrantlistenedtohispatient，practicalresponseoffactsandlogic，clothedinsimplebutsinewyEnglish，uptotheinevitableclimaxofhumorousillustration，whichtheyoungbrigadiercouldnowseewasnecessarytorelievethegrimnessofhisrefusal。ForthefirsttimeBrantfeltthecouragetoaddresshim，andresolvedtowaituntilthedeputationretired。Astheyleftthegalleryhelingeredintheante-roomforthePresidenttoappear。But，ashedidnotcome，afraidoflosinghischances，hereturnedtothegallery。Aloneinhisprivacyandshadow，themanhehadjustleftwasstandingbyacolumn，inmotionlessabstraction，lookingoverthedistantgarden。Butthekindly，humorousfacewasalmosttragicwithanintensityofweariness！Everylineofthosestrong，rusticfeatureswasrelaxedunderaburdenwhicheventhelong，lank，angularfigure——overgrownandunfinishedashisownWest——
seemedtobedistortedinitseffortstoadjustitselfto；whilethedark，deep-seteyeswereabstractedwiththevagueprescienceoftheprophetandthemartyr。Shockedatthatsuddenchange，Brantfelthischeekburnwithshame。Andhewasabouttobreakuponthatweariedman’sunbending；hewasabouttoaddhispettyburdentotheshouldersofthisWesternAtlas。Hedrewbacksilently，anddescendedthestairs。
Butbeforehehadleftthehouse，whileminglingwiththecrowdinoneofthelargerrooms，hesawthePresidentreappearbesideanimportant，prosperous-lookingfigure，onwhomthekindlygiantwasnowsmilingwithhumoroustoleration。Henoticedthedividedattentionofthecrowd；thenameofSenatorBoompointerwasuponeverylip；hewasnearlyfacetofacewiththatfamousdispenserofplaceandpreferment——thissecondhusbandofSusy！Anindescribablefeeling——halfcynical，halffateful——cameoverhim。HewouldnothavebeensurprisedtoseeJimHookerjointhethrong，whichnowseemedtohimtoevendwarfthelonelycentralfigurethathadsolatelytouchedhim！Hewantedtoescapeitall！
ButhisfatebroughthimtotheentranceatthesamemomentthatBoompointerwasleavingit，andthatdistinguishedmanbrushedhastilybyhimasagorgeouscarriage，drawnbytwospiritedhorses，anddrivenbyaresplendentnegrocoachman，dashedup。
ItwastheBoompointercarriage。
Afashionably-dressed，prettywoman，who，instyle，bearing，opulentcontentment，andingenuousself-consciousness，wasinperfectkeepingwiththeslightostentationoftheequipage，wasitsonlyoccupant。AsBoompointersteppedintothevehicle，herblueeyesfellforaninstantonBrant。Ahappy，childlikepinkflushcameintohercheeks，andavioletrayofrecognitionandmischiefdartedfromhereyestohis。ForitwasSusy。
CHAPTERII。
WhenBrantreturnedtohishoteltherewasanaugmentedrespectinthevoiceoftheclerkashehandedhimanotewiththeremarkthatithadbeenleftbySenatorBoompointer’scoachman。HehadnodifficultyinrecognizingSusy’speculiarlyBrobdingnagianschool-
girlhand。
\"Kla’uns，Icallitrealmean！IbelieveyoujustHOPEDIwouldn’tknowyou。Ifyou’reabitlikeyouroldselfyou’llcomerightoffhere——thisverynight！I’vegotabigpartyon——butwecantalksomewherebetweentheacts！Haven’tIgrowed？Tellme！Andmy！
whatagloomyswelltheyoungbrigadieris！Thecarriagewillcomeforyou——soyouhavenoexcuse。\"
TheeffectofthischildishnoteuponBrantwasstrangelyoutofproportiontoitstriviality。ButthenitwasSusy’sverytriviality——soexpressiveofhercharacteristicirresponsibility——
whichhadalwaysaffectedhimatsuchmoments。Again，asatRobles，hefeltitreactagainsthisownethics。Wasshenotrightinherdelightfulmaterialism？WasshenothappierthanifshehadbeenconsistentlytruetoMrs。Peyton，totheconvent，totheepisodeofhertheatricalcareer，toJimHooker——eventohimself？
AnddidheconscientiouslybelievethatHookerorhimselfhadsufferedfromherinconsistency？No！Fromallthathehadheard，shewasasuitablehelpmatetothesenator，inhersocialattractiveness，hercharmingostentations，herengagingvanitythatdisarmedsuspicion，andherlackofresponsibilityeveninherpartisanship。Nobodyeverdaredtoholdthesenatorresponsibleforherpromises，evenwhileenjoyingthefellowshipofboth，anditissaidthattheworthymansingularlyprofitedbyit。Lookingupontheinvitationasapossibledistractiontohisgloomythoughts，Brantresolvedtogo。
ThemoonwashighasthecarriagewhirledhimoutofthestillstiflingavenuestowardstheSoldiers’Home——asylvansuburbfrequentedbycabinetministersandthePresident——wherethegoodSenatorhad\"decreed，\"likeKublaKhan，\"astatelypleasuredome，\"
toentertainhisfriendsandpartisans。Astheyapproachedthehouse，thetremblinglightlikefirefliesthroughtheleaves，thewarmsilencebrokenonlybyamilitarybandplayingadrowsywaltzontheveranda，andtheheavyodorsofjessamineintheair，thrilledBrantwithasenseofshameashethoughtofhisoldcomradesinthefield。Butthiswaspresentlydissipatedbytheuniformsthatmethiminthehall，withthepresenceofsomeofhisdistinguishedsuperiors。Attheheadofthestairs，withacirclingbackgroundoftheshiningcrossesandribbonsofthediplomaticcorps，stoodSusy——herbarearmsandneckglitteringwithdiamonds，herfaceradiantwithchildlikevivacity。A
significantpressureofherlittlegloveashemadehisbowseemedtobehisonlywelcome，butamomentlatershecaughthisarm。
\"You’veyettoknowHIM，\"shesaidinahalfwhisper；\"hethinksagooddealofhimself——justlikeJim。Buthemakesothersbelieveit，andthat’swherepoorJimslippedup。\"Shepausedbeforethemanthuscharacteristicallydisposedof，andpresentedBrant。Itwasthemanhehadseenbefore——material，capable，dogmatic。A
glancefromhisshrewdeyes——accustomedtotheweighingofmen’sweaknessesandambitions——andafewhurriedphrases，apparentlysatisfiedhimthatBrantwasnotjustthenimportantoravailabletohim，andthetwomen，amomentlater，driftedeasilyapart。
Brantsaunteredlistlesslythroughthecrowdedrooms，halfremorsefullyconsciousthathehadtakensomeirrevocablestep，andnonethelessassuredbythepresenceoftwoorthreereportersandcorrespondentswhoweredogginghissteps，ortheglanceoftwoorthreeprettywomenwhosecuriosityhadevidentlybeenarousedbythesingularabstractionofthishandsome，distinguished，butsardonic-lookingofficer。Butthenextmomenthewasgenuinelymoved。
Atallyoungwomanhadjustglidedintothecentreoftheroomwithanindolentyetsupplegracefulnessthatseemedfamiliartohim。A
changeinherpositionsuddenlyrevealedherface。ItwasMissFaulkner。PreviouslyhehadknownheronlyintheridinghabitofConfederategraywhichshehadatfirstaffected，orinthelightmuslinmorningdressshehadwornatGrayOaks。Itseemedtohim，to-night，thatthestudiedeleganceofherfulldressbecameherstillmore；thattheprettywillfulnessofherchinandshoulderswaschastenedandmodifiedbythepearlsroundherfairthroat。
Suddenlytheireyesmet；herfacepaledvisibly；hefanciedthatshealmostleanedagainsthercompanionforsupport；thenshemethisglanceagainwithafaceintowhichthecolorhadassuddenlyrushed，butwitheyesthatseemedtobeappealingtohimeventothepointofpainandfright。Brantwasnotconceited；hecouldseethatthegirl’sagitationwasnottheeffectofanymerepersonalinfluenceinhisrecognition，butofsomethingelse。Heturnedhastilyaway；whenhelookedaroundagainshewasgone。
Neverthelesshefeltfilledwithavagueirritation。Didshethinkhimsuchafoolastoimperilhersafetybyopenlyrecognizingherwithoutherconsent？Didshethinkthathewoulddaretopresumeupontheserviceshehaddonehim？Or，moreoutrageousthought，hadsheheardofhisdisgrace，knownitscause，andfearedthathewoulddragherintoadisclosuretosavehimself？No，no；shecouldnotthinkthat！Shehadperhapsregrettedwhatshehaddoneinafreakofgirlishchivalry；shehadreturnedtoheroldfeelingsandpartisanship；shewasonlystartledatmeetingthesinglewitnessofherfolly。Well，sheneednotfear！Hewouldasstudiouslyavoidherhereafter，andsheshouldknowit。Andyet——
yes，therewasa\"yet。\"Forhecouldnotforget——indeed，inthepastthreeweeksithadbeenmoreoftenbeforehimthanhecaredtothink——thatshewastheonehumanbeingwhohadbeencapableofagreatactofself-sacrificeforhim——herenemy，heraccuser，themanwhohadscarcelytreatedhercivilly。Hewasashamedtoremembernowthatthisthoughthadoccurredtohimatthebedsideofhiswife——atthehourofherescape——evenonthefatalslopeonwhichhehadbeenstruckdown。Andnowthisfondillusionmustgowiththerest——thegirlwhohadservedhimsoloyallywasashamedofit！Abittersmilecrossedhisface。
\"Well，Idon’twonder！Hereareallthewomenaskingmewhoisthatgood-lookingMephistopheles，withtheburningeyes，whoisprowlingaroundmyroomsasifsearchingforavictim。Why，you’resmilingforalltheworldlikepoorJimwhenheusedtodotheRedAvenger。\"
Susy’svoice——andillustration——recalledhimtohimself。
\"FuriousImaybe，\"hesaidwithagentlersmile，althoughhiseyesstillglittered，\"furiousthatIhavetowaituntiltheonewomanI
cametosee——theonewomanIhavenotseenforsolong，whilethesepuppetshavebeennightlydancingbeforeher——cangivemeafewmomentsfromthem，totalkoftheolddays。\"
Inhisreactionhewasquitesincere，althoughhefeltaslightsenseofremorseashesawthequick，faintcolorrise，asinthoseolddays，eventhroughtheto-night’spowderofhercheek。
\"That’sliketheoldKla’uns，\"shesaid，withaslightpressureofhisarm，\"butwewillnothaveachancetospeakuntillater。Whentheyarenearlyallgone，you’lltakemetogetalittlerefreshment，andwe’llhaveachatintheconservatory。Butyoumustdropthatawfullywickedlookandmakeyourselfgenerallyagreeabletothosewomenuntilthen。\"
Itwas，perhaps，partofthisreactionwhichenabledhimtoobeyhishostess’commandswithacertainrecklessnessthat，however，seemedtobeinkeepingwiththepreviousSatanicreputationhehadallunconsciouslyachieved。Thewomenlistenedtothecynicalflippancyofthisgood-lookingsoldierwithanundisguisedadmirationwhichinturnexcitedcuriosityandenvyfromhisownsex。Hesawthewhisperedquestioning，theliftedeyebrows，scornfulshruggingofshoulders——andknewthatthestoryofhisdisgracewasintheair。ButIfearthisonlyexcitedhimtofurtherrecklessnessandtriumph。OncehethoughtherecognizedMissFaulkner’sfigureatadistance，andevenfanciedthatshehadbeenwatchinghim；butheonlyredoubledhisattentionstothefairwomanbesidehim，andlookednomore。
Yethewasgladwhentheguestsbegantodropoff，thegreatroomsthinned，andSusy，appearingonthearmofherhusband，coquettishlyremindedhimofhispromise。
\"ForIwanttotalktoyouofoldtimes。GeneralBrant，\"shewenton，turningexplanatorilytoBoompointer，\"marriedmyadoptedmotherinCalifornia——atRobles，adearoldplacewhereIspentmyearliestyears。So，yousee，wearesortofrelationsbymarriage，\"sheadded，withdelightfulnaivete。
Hooker’sownvaingloriousallusiontohisrelationstothemanbeforehimflashedacrossBrant’smind，butitleftnowonlyasmileonhislips。Hefelthehadalreadybecomeapartoftheirresponsiblecomedyplayedaroundhim。Whyshouldheresist，orexamineitsethicstooclosely？HeofferedhisarmtoSusyastheydescendedthestairs，but，insteadofpausinginthesupper-room，shesimplypassedthroughitwithasignificantpressureonhisarm，and，drawingasideamuslincurtain，steppedintothemoonlitconservatory。Behindthecurtaintherewasasmallrusticsettee；
withoutreleasinghisarmshesatdown，sothatwhenhedroppedbesideher，theirhandsmet，andmutuallyclasped。
\"Now，Kla’uns，\"shesaid，withaslight，comfortableshiverasshenestledbesidehim，\"it’salittlelikeyourchairdownatoldRobles，isn’tit？——tellme！Andtothinkit’sfiveyearsago！
But，Kla’uns，what’sthematter？Youarechanged，\"shesaid，lookingathisdarkfaceinthemoonlight，\"oryouhavesomethingtotellme。\"
\"Ihave。\"
\"Andit’ssomethingdreadful，Iknow！\"shesaid，wrinklingherbrowswithaprettyterror。\"Couldn’tyoupretendyouhadtoldittome，andletusgoonjustthesame？Couldn’tyou，Kla’uns？
Tellme！\"
\"IamafraidIcouldn’t，\"hesaid，withasadsmile。
\"Isitaboutyourself，Kla’uns？Youknow，\"shewentonwithcheerfulrapidity，\"Iknoweverythingaboutyou——Ialwaysdid，youknow——andIdon’tcare，andneverdidcare，anditdon’t，andneverdid，maketheslightestdifferencetome。Sodon’ttellit，andwastetime，Kla’uns。\"
\"It’snotaboutme，butaboutmywife！\"hesaidslowly。
Herexpressionchangedslightly\"Oh，her！\"shesaidafterapause。Then，half-resignedly，\"Goon，Kla’uns。\"
Hebegan。Hehadadozentimesrehearsedtohimselfhismiserablestory，alwaysfeelingitkeenly，andevenfearingthathemightbecarriedawaybyemotionormorbidsentimentintellingittoanother。But，tohisastonishment，hefoundhimselftellingitpractically，calmly，almostcynically，tohisoldplaymate，repressingthehalfdevotionandeventendernessthathadgovernedhim，fromthetimethathiswife，disguisedasthemulattowoman，hadsecretlywatchedhimathisoffice，tothehourthathehadpassedthroughthelines。HewithheldonlytheincidentofMissFaulkner’scomplicityandsacrifice。
\"Andshegotaway，afterhavingkickedyououtofyourplace，Kla’uns？\"saidSusy，whenhehadended。
Clarencestiffenedbesideher。Buthefelthehadgonetoofartoquarrelwithhisconfidante。
\"Shewentaway。Ihonestlybelieveweshallnevermeetagain，orI
shouldnotbetellingyouthis！\"
\"Kla’uns，\"shesaidlightly，takinghishandagain，\"don’tyoubelieveit！Shewon’tletyougo。You’reoneofthosementhatawoman，whenshe’soncehookedonto，won’tletgoof，evenwhenshebelievesshenolongerloveshim，ormeetsbiggerandbettermen。
Ireckonit’sbecauseyou’resodifferentfromothermen；maybetherearesomanydifferentthingsaboutyoutohookonto，andyoudon’tslipoffaseasilyastheothers。Now，ifyouwerelikeoldPeyton，herfirsthusband，orlikepoorJim，orevenmyBoompointer，you’dbeallright！No，myboy，allwecandoistotrytokeepherfromgettingatyouhere。Ireckonshewon’ttrustherselfinWashingtonagaininahurry。\"
\"ButIcannotstayhere；mycareerisinthefield。\"
\"Yourcareerisalongsideo’me，honey——andBoompointer。ButnearerME。We’llfixallthat。Iheardsomethingaboutyourbeingindisgrace，butthestorywasthatyouweresweetonsomeseceshgirldownthere，andneglectedyourbusiness，Kla’uns。But，Lordy！
tothinkitwasonlyyourownwife！Nevermind；we’llstraightenthatout。We’vehadworsejobsthanthaton。Why，therewasthatcommissarywhowasbuyingupdeadhorsesatoneendofthefield，andsellingthemtotheGovernmentformessbeefattheother；andtherewasthatgeneralwhowouldn’tmakeanattackwhenitrained；
andtheothergeneral——youknowwhoImean，Kla’uns——whowouldn’tinvadetheStatewherehissisterlived；butwestraightenedthemout，somehow，andtheywereaheapworsethanyou。We’llgetyouapositioninthewardepartmenthere，oneofthebureauoffices，whereyoukeepyourrankandyouruniform——youdon’tlookbadinit，Kla’uns——onbetterpay。Andyou’llcomeandseeme，andwe’lltalkoveroldtimes。\"
Brantfelthisheartturnsickwithinhim。Buthewasathermercynow！Hesaid，withaneffort，——
\"ButI’vetoldyouthatmycareer——nay，myLIFE——nowisinthefield。\"
\"Don’tyoubeafool，Kla’uns，andleaveitthere！Youhavedoneyourworkoffighting——mightygoodfighting，too，——andeverybodyknowsit。You’veearnedachange。Letotherstakeyourplace。\"
Heshuddered，asherememberedthathiswifehadmadethesameappeal。Washeafoolthen，andthesetwowomen——sototallyunlikeineverything——rightinthis？
\"Come，Kla’uns，\"saidSusy，relapsingagainagainsthisshoulder。
\"Nowtalktome！Youdon’tsaywhatyouthinkofme，ofmyhome，ofmyfurniture，ofmyposition——evenofhim！Tellme！\"
\"Ifindyouwell，prosperous，andhappy，\"hesaid，withafaintsmile。
\"Isthatall？AndhowdoIlook？\"
Sheturnedherstillyouthful，mischievousfacetowardshiminthemoonlight。Thewitcheryofherblueeyeswasstillthereasofold，thesamefrankirresponsibilitybeamedfromthem；herpartedlipsseemedtogivehimbackthebreathofhisyouth。Hestarted，butshedidnot。
\"Susy，dear！\"
Itwasherhusband’svoice。
\"Iquiteforgot，\"theSenatorwenton，ashedrewthecurtainaside，\"thatyouareengagedwithafriend；butMissFaulkneriswaitingtosaygood-night，andIvolunteeredtofindyou。\"
\"Tellhertowaitamoment，\"saidSusy，withanimpatiencethatwasasundisguisedasitwaswithoutembarrassmentorconfusion。
ButMissFaulkner，unconsciouslyfollowingMr。Boompointer，wasalreadyuponthem。Foramomentthewholefourweresilent，althoughperfectlycomposed。SenatorBoompointer，unconsciousofanyinfelicityinhisinterruption，wascalmlywaiting。Clarence，opposedsuddenlytotheyounggirlwhomhebelievedwasavoidinghisrecognition，rose，coldlyimperturbable。MissFaulkner，lookingtallerandmoreerectinthelongfoldsofhersatincloak，neitherpalednorblushed，assheregardedSusyandBrantwithasmileofwell-bredapology。
\"IexpecttoleaveWashingtonto-morrow，andmaynotbeabletocallagain，\"shesaid，\"orIwouldnothavesoparticularlypressedaleave-takinguponyou。\"
\"Iwastalkingwithmyoldfriend，GeneralBrant，\"saidSusy，morebywayofintroductionthanapology。
Brantbowed。ForaninstantthecleareyesofMissFaulknerslippedicilyacrosshisasshemadehimanold-fashionedSoutherncourtesy，and，takingSusy’sarm，shelefttheroom。Brantdidnotlinger，buttookleaveofhishostalmostinthesamebreath。Atthefrontdoorawell-appointedcarriageofoneoftheLegationshadjustrolledintowaiting。Helookedback；hesawMissFaulkner，erectandlookinglikeabrideinhergauzydraperies，descendingthestairsbeforethewaitingservants。Hefelthisheartbeatstrangely。Hehesitated，recalledhimselfwithaneffort，hurriedlysteppedfromtheporchintothepath，asheheardthecarriagedoorclosebehindhiminthedistance，andthenfeltthedustfromherhorse’shoofsrisearoundhimasshedrovepasthimandaway。
CHAPTERIII。
AlthoughBrantwasconvincedassoonasheleftthehousethathecouldnotacceptanythingfromtheBoompointerinfluence，andthathisinterviewwithSusywasfruitless，heknewthathemusttemporize。Whilehedidnotbelievethathisoldplaymatewouldwillinglybetrayhim，hewasuneasywhenhethoughtofthevanityandimpulsivenesswhichmightcompromisehim——orofapossiblejealousythatmightseekrevenge。YethehadnoreasontobelievethatSusy’snaturewasjealous，orthatshewaslikelytohaveanycause；butthefactremainedthatMissFaulkner’sinnocentintrusionupontheirtete-a-teteaffectedhimmorestronglythananythingelseinhisinterviewwithSusy。Onceoutoftheatmosphereofthathouse，itstruckhim，too，thatMissFaulknerwasalmostasmuchofanalieninitashimself。Hewonderedwhatshehadbeendoingthere。CoulditbepossiblethatshewasobtaininginformationfortheSouth？Butherejectedtheideaasquicklyasithadoccurredtohim。Perhapstherecouldbenostrongerproofoftheunconsciousinfluencetheyounggirlalreadyhadoverhim。
Herememberedtheliveriesofthediplomaticcarriagethathadborneheraway，andascertainedwithoutdifficultythathersisterhadmarriedoneoftheforeignministers，andthatshewasaguestinhishouse。ButhewasthemoreastonishedtohearthatsheandhersisterwereconsideredtobeSouthernUnionists——andweregreatlypettedingovernmentalcirclesfortheirsacrificingfidelitytotheflag。Hisinformant，anofficialintheStateDepartment，addedthatMissMatildamighthavebeenagooddealofamadcapattheoutbreakofthewar——forthesistershadabrotherintheConfederateservice——butthatshehadchangedgreatly，and，indeed，withinamonth。\"For，\"headded，\"shewasattheWhiteHouseforthefirsttimelastweek，andtheysaythePresidenttalkedmoretoherthantoanyotherwoman。\"
TheindescribablesensationwithwhichthissimpleinformationfilledBrantstartledhimmorethanthenewsitself。Hope，joy，fear，distrust，anddespair，alternatelydistractedhim。HerecalledMissFaulkner’salmostagonizingglanceofappealtohiminthedrawing-roomatSusy’s，anditseemedtobeequallyconsistentwiththetruthofwhathehadjustheard——orsomemonstroustreacheryanddeceitofwhichshemightbecapable。EvennowshemightbeasecretemissaryofsomespywithinthePresident’sfamily；shemighthavebeenincorrespondencewithsometraitorintheBoompointerclique，andherimploringglanceonlytheresultofafearofexposure。Or，again，shemighthavetrulyrecantedafterherescapadeatGrayOaks，andfearedonlyhisrecollectionofherasgo-betweenofspies。Andyetbothofthesepresumptionswereinconsistentwithherconductintheconservatory。Itseemedimpossiblethatthisimpulsivewoman，capableofdoingwhathehadhimselfknownhertodo，andequallysensitivetotheshameorjoyofsuchimpulses，shouldbethesameconventionalwomanofsocietywhohadsocoldlyrecognizedandpartedfromhim。
Butthisintervalofdoubtwastransitory。ThenextdayhereceivedadispatchfromtheWarDepartment，orderinghimtoreporthimselffordutyatonce。WithabeatinghearthehurriedtotheSecretary。ButthatofficialhadmerelyleftamemorandumwithhisassistantdirectingGeneralBranttoaccompanysomefreshleviestoacampof\"organization\"nearthefront。Brantfeltachillofdisappointment。Dutiesofthiskindhadbeenlefttodubiousregulararmyveterans，hurriedlydisplacedgeneralofficers，andfavoreddetrimentals。Butifitwasnotrestoration，itwasnolongerinaction，anditwasatleastareleasefromWashington。
Itwasalsoevidentlytheresultofsomeinfluence——buthardlythatoftheBoompointers，forheknewthatSusywishedtokeephimattheCapital。WasthereanotherpoweratworktosendhimawayfromWashington？Hispreviousdoubtsreturned。Norweretheydissipatedwhenthechiefofthebureauplacedaletterbeforehimwiththeremarkthatithadbeenentrustedtohimbyaladywiththerequestthatitshouldbedeliveredonlyintohisownhands。
\"Shedidnotknowyourhoteladdress，butascertainedyouweretocallhere。Shesaiditwasofsomeimportance。Thereisnomysteryaboutit，General，\"continuedtheofficialwithamischievousglanceatBrant’shandsome，perplexedface，\"althoughit’sfromaveryprettywoman——whomweallknow。\"
\"Mrs。Boompointer？\"suggestedBrant，withaffectedlightness。
Itwasamaladroitspeech。Theofficial’sfacedarkened。
\"WehavenotyetbecomeaPostalDepartmentfortheBoompointers，General，\"hesaiddryly，\"howevergreattheirinfluenceelsewhere。
Itwasfromratheradifferentstyleofwoman——MissFaulkner。Youwillreceiveyourpaperslateratyourhotel，andleaveto-night。\"
Brant’sunluckyslipwasstillpotentenoughtodiverttheofficialattention，orhewouldhavenoticedthechangeinhisvisitor’sface，andtheabruptnessofhisdeparture。
Onceinthestreet，Branttoreofftheenvelope。Butbeneathitwasanother，onwhichwaswritteninadelicate，refinedhand：
\"Pleasedonotopenthisuntilyoureachyourdestination。\"
Thensheknewhewasgoing！Andperhapsthiswasherinfluence？
Allhissuspicionsagainreturned。Sheknewhewasgoingnearthelines，andhisveryappointment，throughherpower，mightbeaplottoserveherandtheenemy！Wasthisletter，whichshewasentrustingtohim，thecoverofsomemissivetoherSouthernfriendswhichsheexpectedhimtocarry——perhapsasareturnforherownactofself-sacrifice？Wasthistheappealshehadbeenmakingtohischivalry，hisgratitude，hishonor？Theperspirationstoodinbeadsonhisforehead。Whatdefectlayhiddeninhisnaturethatseemedtomakehimaneasyvictimoftheseintriguingwomen？Hehadnoteventheexcuseofgallantry；lesssusceptibletothepotenciesofthesexthanmostmen，hewasstillcompelledtobearthatreputation。HerememberedhiscoldnesstoMissFaulknerinthefirstdaysoftheirmeeting，andhereffectuponhissubalterns。Whyhadsheselectedhimfromamongthem——whenshecouldhavemodeledtheotherslikewaxtoherpurposes？Why？Andyetwiththequestioncameapossibleanswerthathehardlydaredtothinkof——thatinitsveryvaguenessseemedtofillhimwithastimulatingthrillandhopefulness。Hequickenedhispace。Hewouldtaketheletter，andyetbemasterofhimselfwhenthetimecametoopenit。
Thattimecamethreedayslater，inhistentatThreePinesCrossing。Ashebrokeopentheenvelope，hewasrelievedtofindthatitcontainednootherinclosure，andseemedintendedonlyforhimself。Itbeganabruptly：——
\"Whenyoureadthis，youwillunderstandwhyIdidnotspeaktoyouwhenwemetlastnight；whyIevendreadedthatyoumightspeaktome，knowing，asIdid，whatIoughttotellyouatthatplaceandmoment——somethingyoucouldonlyknowfromme。IdidnotknowyouwereinWashington，althoughIknewyouwererelieved；Ihadnowayofseeingyouorsendingtoyoubefore，andIonlycametoMrs。
Boompointer’spartyinthehopeofhearingnewsofyou。
\"Youknowthatmybrotherwascapturedbyyourpicketsincompanywithanotherofficer。Hethinksyoususpectedthetruth——thatheandhisfriendwerehoveringnearyourlinestoeffecttheescapeofthespy。Buthesaysthat，althoughtheyfailedtohelpher，shedidescape，orwaspassedthroughthelinesbyyourconnivance。
Hesaysthatyouseemedtoknowher，thatfromwhatRose——themulattowoman——toldhim，youandshewereevidentlyoldfriends。
Iwouldnotspeakofthis，norintrudeuponyourprivateaffairs，onlythatIthinkyououghttoknowthatIhadnoknowledgeofitwhenIwasinyourhouse，butbelievedhertobeastrangertoyou。
Yougavemenointimationthatyouknewher，andIbelievedthatyouwerefrankwithme。ButIshouldnotspeakofthisatall——forIbelievethatitwouldhavemadenodifferencetomeinrepairingthewrongthatIthoughtIhaddoneyou——onlythat，asIamforcedbycircumstancestotellyoutheterribleendingofthisstory，yououghttoknowitall。
\"Mybrotherwrotetomethattheeveningafteryouleft，theburyingpartypickedupthebodyofwhattheybelievedtobeamulattowomanlyingontheslope。ItwasnotRose，butthebodyoftheverywoman——therealandonlyspy——whomyouhadpassedthroughthelines。ShewasaccidentallykilledbytheConfederatesinthefirstattackuponyou，atdaybreak。Butonlymybrotherandhisfriendrecognizedherthroughherblackenedfaceanddisguise，andonthepleathatshewasaservantofoneoftheirfriends，theygotpermissionfromthedivisioncommandertotakeheraway，andshewasburiedbyherfriendsandamongherpeopleinthelittlecemeteryofThreePinesCrossing，notfarfromwhereyouhavegone。
MybrotherthoughtthatIoughttotellyouthis：itseemsthatheandhisfriendhadastrangesympathyforyouinwhattheyappeartoknoworguessofyourrelationswiththatwoman，andIthinkhewastouchedbywhathethoughtwasyourkindnessandchivalrytohimonaccountofhissister。ButIdonotthinkheeverknew，orwillknow，howgreatisthetaskthathehasimposeduponme。
\"Youknownow，doyounot，WHYIdidnotspeaktoyouwhenwefirstmet；itseemedsoimpossibletodoitinanatmosphereandafestivitythatwassoincongruouswiththedreadfulmessageIwaschargedwith。AndwhenIhadtomeetyoulater——perhapsImayhavewrongedyou——butitseemedtomethatyouweresopreoccupiedandinterestedwithotherthingsthatImightperhapsonlybewearyingyouwithsomethingyoucaredlittlefor，orperhapsalreadyknewandhadquicklyforgotten。
\"IhadbeenwantingtosaysomethingelsetoyouwhenIhadgotridofmydreadfulmessage。Idonotknowifyoustillcaretohearit。ButyouwereoncegenerousenoughtothinkthatIhaddoneyouaserviceinbringingalettertoyourcommander。AlthoughIknowbetterthananybodyelsethegenuinedevotiontoyourdutythatmadeyouacceptmypoorservice，fromallthatIcanhear，youhaveneverhadthecreditofit。Willyounottrymeagain？Iammoreinfavorhere，andImightyetbemoresuccessfulinshowingyoursuperiorshowtrueyouhavebeentoyourtrust，evenifyouhavelittlefaithinyourfriend，MatildaFaulkner。\"
Foralongtimeheremainedmotionless，withtheletterinhishand。Thenhearose，orderedhishorse，andgallopedaway。
TherewaslittledifficultyinfindingthecemeteryofThreePinesCrossing——ahillsideslope，hearsedwithpineandcypress，andstarredwithwhitecrosses，thatinthedistancelookedlikeflowers。Stilllesswasthereinfindingthenewermarbleshaftamongtheolderlichen-spottedslabs，whichborethesimplewords：
\"AliceBenham，Martyr。\"AfewConfederatesoldiers，understillplainerandnewerwoodenheadstones，carvedonlywithinitials，layatherfeet。Brantsankonhiskneesbesidethegrave，buthewasshockedtoseethatthebaseofthemarblewasstainedwiththeredpollenofthefatefullily，whoseblossomshadbeenheapeduponhermound，butwhosefallenpetalslaydarkandsoddenindecay。
Howlongheremainedtherehedidnotknow。Andthenasolitarybuglefromthecampseemedtosummonhim，asithadoncebeforesummonedhim，andhewentaway——ashehadgonebefore——toaseparationthathenowknewwasforalltime。
Thenfollowedamonthofsuperintendenceanddrill，andtheinfusingintothelittlecampunderhisinstructionthespiritwhichseemedtobepassingoutofhisownlifeforever。Shutinbyalienhillsontheborderlandofthegreatstruggle，fromtimetotimereportsreachedhimofthebitterfighting，andalmostdisastroussuccessesofhisolddivisioncommander。OrderscamefromWashingtontohurrythepreparationofhisrawleviestothefield，andafainthopesprangupinhismind。ButfollowingitcameanotherdispatchorderinghisreturntotheCapital。
Hereacheditwithneitherhopenorfear——sobenumbedhadbecomehisspiritunderthislasttrial，andwhatseemedtobenowthemockeryofthislastsacrificetohiswife。Thoughitwasnolongeraquestionofherlifeandsafety，heknewthathecouldstillpreservehermemoryfromstainbykeepinghersecret，eventhoughitsdivulgingsmightclearhisown。Forthatreason，hehadevenhesitatedtoinformSusyofherdeath，inthefearthat，inherthoughtlessirresponsibilityandimpulsiveness，shemightbetemptedtouseitinhisfavor。Hehadmadehislateappointmentapleaforherwithholdinganypresenteffortstoassisthim。HeevenavoidedtheBoompointers’house，inwhathebelievedwaspartlyadutytothememoryofhiswife。ButhesawnoinconsistencyinoccasionallyextendinghislonelywalkstothevicinityofaforeignLegation，orinbeingliftedwithacertainexpectationatthesightofitsliveriesontheAvenue。Therewasacravingforsympathyinhisheart，whichMissFaulkner’sletterhadawakened。
Meantime，hehadreportedhimselffordutyattheWarDepartment——
withlittlehope，however，inthatformality。ButhewassurprisedthenextdaywhenthechiefofthebureauinformedhimthathisclaimwasbeforethePresident。
\"IwasnotawarethatIhadpresentedanyclaim，\"hesaid，alittlehaughtily。
Thebureauchieflookedupwithsomesurprise。Thisquiet，patient，reservedmanhadpuzzledhimonceortwicebefore。
\"PerhapsIshouldsay’case，’General，\"hesaid，drily。\"Butthepersonalinterestofthehighestexecutiveinthelandstrikesmeasbeingdesirableinanything。\"
\"IonlymeanthatIhaveobeyedtheordersofthedepartmentinreportingmyselfhere，asIhavedone，\"saidBrant，withlessfeeling，butnonethelessfirmness；\"andIshouldimagineitwasnotthedutyofasoldiertoquestionthem。WhichIfancya’claim’ora’case’wouldimply。\"
Hehadnoideaoftakingthisattitudebefore，butthedisappointmentsofthepastmonth，addedtothisfirstofficialnoticeofhisdisgrace，hadbroughtforwardthatdogged，reckless，yethalf-scornfulobstinacythatwaspartofhisnature。
Theofficialsmiled。
\"Isuppose，then，youarewaitingtohearfromthePresident，\"hesaiddrily。
\"Iamawaitingordersfromthedepartment，\"returnedBrantquietly，\"butwhethertheyoriginateinthePresidentascommander-in-chief，ornot——itisnotformetoinquire。\"
Evenwhenhereachedhishotelthishalf-savageindifferencewhichhadtakentheplaceofhisformerincertitudehadnotchanged。Itseemedtohimthathehadreachedthecrisisofhislifewherehewasnolongerafreeagent，andcouldwait，superioraliketoeffortorexpectation。AnditwaswithamerelydispassionatecuriositythathefoundanotethenextmorningfromthePresident’sprivatesecretary，informinghimthatthePresidentwouldseehimearlythatday。
AfewhourslaterhewasusheredthroughthepublicroomsoftheWhiteHousetoamoresecludedpartofthehousehold。Themessengerstoppedbeforeamodestdoorandknocked。Itwasopenedbyatallfigure——thePresidenthimself。HereachedoutalongarmtoBrant，whostoodhesitatinglyonthethreshold，graspedhishand，andledhimintotheroom。Ithadasingle，large，elaboratelydrapedwindowandahandsomemedallionedcarpet，whichcontrastedwiththeotherwisealmostappallingsimplicityofthefurniture。Asingleplainangulardesk，withablottingpadandafewsheetsoflargefoolscapuponit，awaste-paperbasketandfourplainarmchairs，completedtheinteriorwithacontrastassimpleandhomelyasitslong-limbed，black-coatedoccupant。Releasingthehandofthegeneraltoshutadoorwhichopenedintoanotherapartment，thePresidentshovedanarmchairtowardshimandsanksomewhatwearilyintoanotherbeforethedesk。Butonlyforamoment；thelongshamblinglimbsdidnotseemtoadjustthemselveseasilytothechair；thehighnarrowshouldersdroopedtofindamorecomfortableloungingattitude，shiftedfromsidetoside，andthelonglegsmoveddispersedly。YetthefacethatwasturnedtowardsBrantwashumorousandtranquil。
\"IwastoldIshouldhavetosendforyouifIwishedtoseeyou，\"
hesaidsmilingly。
Alreadymollified，andperhapsagainfallingunderthepreviousinfluenceofthissingularman，Brantbegansomewhathesitatinglytoexplain。
ButthePresidentcheckedhimgently，——
\"Youdon’tunderstand。Itwassomethingnewtomyexperienceheretofindanable-bodiedAmericancitizenwithanhonestgenuinegrievancewhohadtohaveitdrawnfromhimlikeadecayedtooth。
Butyouhavebeenherebefore。Iseemtorememberyourface。\"
Brant’sreservehadgone。Headmittedthathehadtwicesoughtanaudience——but——
\"Youdodgedthedentist！Thatwaswrong。\"AsBrantmadeaslightmovementofdeprecationthePresidentcontinued：\"Iunderstand！
Notfromfearofgivingpaintoyourselfbuttoothers。Idon’tknowthatTHATisright，either。Acertainamountofpainmustbesufferedinthisworld——evenbyone’senemies。Well，Ihavelookedintoyourcase，GeneralBrant。\"Hetookupapieceofpaperfromhisdesk，scrawledwithtwoorthreenotesinpencil。\"Ithinkthisisthewayitstands。YouwerecommandingapositionatGrayOakswheninformationwasreceivedbythedepartmentthat，eitherthroughneglectorcomplicity，spieswerepassingthroughyourlines。Therewasnoattempttoproveyourneglect；yourorders，thefactsofyourpersonalcareandprecaution，wereallbeforethedepartment。Butitwasalsoshownthatyourwife，fromwhomyouwereonlytemporarilyseparated，wasanotorioussecessionist；
that，beforethewar，youyourselfweresuspected，andthat，therefore，youwerequitecapableofevadingyourownorders，whichyoumayhaveonlygivenasablind。Onthisinformationyouwererelievedbythedepartmentofyourcommand。Lateronitwasdiscoveredthatthespywasnoneotherthanyourownwife，disguisedasamulatto；that，afterherarrestbyyourownsoldiers，youconnivedatherescape——andthiswasconsideredconclusiveproofof——well，letussay——yourtreachery。\"
\"ButIdidnotknowitwasmywifeuntilshewasarrested，\"saidBrantimpulsvely。
ThePresidentknittedhiseyebrowshumorously。
\"Don’tletustraveloutoftherecord，General。You’reasbadasthedepartment。Thequestionwasoneofyourpersonaltreachery，butyouneednotacceptthefactthatyouwerejustlyremovedbecauseyourwifewasaspy。Now，General，Iamanoldlawyer，andIdon’tmindtellingyouthatinIllinoiswewouldn’thangayellowdogonthatevidencebeforethedepartment。ButwhenIwasaskedtolookintothematterbyyourfriends，Idiscoveredsomethingofmoreimportancetoyou。Ihadbeentryingtofindascrapofevidencethatwouldjustifythepresumptionthatyouhadsentinformationtotheenemy。IfoundthatitwasbaseduponthefactoftheenemybeinginpossessionofknowledgeatthefirstbattleatGrayOaks，whichcouldonlyhavebeenobtainedfromourside，andwhichledtoaFederaldisaster；thatyou，however，retrievedbyyourgallantry。Ithenaskedthesecretaryifhewaspreparedtoshowthatyouhadsenttheinformationwiththatview，orthatyouhadbeenovertakenbyatardysenseofrepentance。Hepreferredtoconsidermysuggestionashumorous。ButtheinquiryledtomyfurtherdiscoverythattheonlytreasonablecorrespondenceactuallyinevidencewasfounduponthebodyofatrustedFederalofficer，andhadbeenforwardedtothedivisioncommander。Buttherewasnorecordofitinthecase。\"
\"Why，Iforwardeditmyself，\"saidBranteagerly。
\"Sothedivisioncommanderwrites，\"saidthePresident，smiling，\"andheforwardedittothedepartment。Butitwassuppressedinsomeway。Haveyouanyenemies，GeneralBrant？\"
\"NotthatIknowof。\"
\"Thenyouprobablyhave。Youareyoungandsuccessful。Thinkofthehundredotherofficerswhonaturallybelievethemselvesbetterthanyouare，andhaven’tatraitorouswife。Still，thedepartmentmayhavemadeanexampleofyouforthebenefitoftheonlymanwhocouldn’tprofitbyit。\"
\"Mightitnothavebeen，sir，thatthissuppressionwasforthegoodreportoftheservice——asthechiefoffenderwasdead？\"
\"Iamgladtohearyousayso，General，foritistheargumentI
haveusedsuccessfullyinbehalfofyourwife。\"
\"Thenyouknowitall，sir？\"saidBrantafteragloomypause。
\"All，Ithink。Come，General，youseemedjustnowtobeuncertainaboutyourenemies。Letmeassureyou，youneednotbesoinregardtoyourfriends。\"
\"IdaretohopeIhavefoundone，sir，\"saidBrantwithalmostboyishtimidity。
\"Oh，notme！\"saidthePresident，withalaughofdeprecation。
\"Someonemuchmorepotent。\"
\"MayIknowhisname，Mr。President？\"
\"No，foritisawoman。Youwerenearlyruinedbyone，General。I
supposeit’squiterightthatyoushouldbesavedbyone。And，ofcourse，irregularly。\"
\"Awoman！\"echoedBrant。
\"Yes；onewhowaswillingtoconfessherselfaworsespythanyourwife——adoubletraitor——tosaveyou！Uponmyword，General，I
don’tknowifthedepartmentwasfarwrong；amanwithsuchanalternatelyunsettlingandconvincingeffectuponawoman’shighestpoliticalconvictionsshouldbeundersomerestraint。Luckilythedepartmentknowsnothingofit。\"
\"Norwouldanyoneelsehaveknownfromme，\"saidBranteagerly。
\"Itrustthatshedidnotthink——thatyou，sir，didnotforaninstantbelievethatI\"——
\"Ohdear，no！Nobodywouldhavebelievedyou！Itwasherfreeconfidencetome。Thatwaswhatmadetheaffairsodifficulttohandle。Forevenherbringingyourdispatchtothedivisioncommanderlookedbadforyou；andyouknowheevendoubteditsauthenticity。\"
\"Doesshe——doesMissFaulknerknowthespywasmywife？\"hesitatedBrant。
ThePresidenttwistedhimselfinhischair，soastoregardBrantmoregravelywithhisdeep-seteyes，andthenthoughtfullyrubbedhisleg。
\"Don’tletustraveloutoftherecord，General，\"hesaidafterapause。ButasthecolorsurgedintoBrant’scheekheraisedhiseyestotheceiling，andsaid，inhalf-humorousrecollection，——
\"No，IthinkTHATfactwasfirstgatheredfromyourotherfriend——
Mr。Hooker。\"
\"Hooker！\"saidBrant，indignantly；\"didhecomehere？\"
\"Praydon’tdestroymyfaithinMr。Hooker，General，\"saidthePresident，inhalf-weary，half-humorousdeprecation。\"Don’ttellmethatanyofhisinventionsareTRUE！Leavemeatleastthatmagnificentliar——theoneperfectlyintelligiblewitnessyouhave。
Forfromthetimethathefirstappearedherewithagrievanceandaclaimforacommission，hehasbeenanunspeakablejoytomeandaconvincingtestimonytoyou。Otherwitnesseshavebeenpartisansandprejudiced；Mr。Hookerwasfranklytruetohimself。HowelseshouldIhaveknownofthecareyoutooktodisguiseyourself，savethehonorofyouruniform，andruntheriskofbeingshotasanunknownspyatyourwife’sside，exceptfromhismagnificentversionofHISpartinit？HowelseshouldIhaveknownthestoryofyourdiscoveryoftheCalifornianconspiracy，exceptfromhissupremeportrayalofit，withhimselfasthehero？No，youmustnotforgettothankMr。Hookerwhenyoumeethim。MissFaulknerisatpresentmoreaccessible；sheiscallingonsomemembersofmyfamilyinthenextroom。ShallIleaveyouwithher？\"
BrantrosewithapalefaceandaquicklythrobbingheartasthePresident，glancingattheclock，untwistedhimselffromthechair，andshookhimselfoutfulllength，androsegraduallytohisfeet。
\"Yourwishforactiveserviceisgranted，GeneralBrant，\"hesaidslowly，\"andyouwillatoncerejoinyourolddivisioncommander，whoisnowattheheadoftheTenthArmyCorps。But，\"hesaid，afteradeliberatepause，\"therearecertainrulesandregulationsofyourservicethatevenIcannot，withdecentrespecttoyourdepartment，override。Youwill，therefore，understandthatyoucannotrejointhearmyinyourformerposition。\"
TheslightflushthatcametoBrant’scheekquicklypassed。Andtherewasonlytheunmistakablesparkleofrenewedyouthinhisfrankeyesashesaid——
\"Letmegotothefrontagain，Mr。President，andIcarenotHOW。\"
ThePresidentsmiled，and，layinghisheavyhandonBrant’sshoulder，pushedhimgentlytowardsthedooroftheinnerroom。
\"Iwasonlyabouttosay，\"headded，asheopenedthedoor，\"thatitwouldbenecessaryforyoutorejoinyourpromotedcommanderasamajor-general。And，\"hecontinued，liftinghisvoice，ashegentlypushedhisguestintotheroom，\"hehasn’teventhankedmeforit，MissFaulkner！\"
Thedoorclosedbehindhim，andhestoodforamomentdazed，andstillhearingthedistantvoiceofthePresident，intheroomhehadjustquitted，nowwelcominganewvisitor。Buttheroombeforehim，openingintoaconservatory，wasempty，saveforasinglefigurethatturned，halftimidly，halfmischievously，towardshim。
Thesamequick，sympatheticglancewasinboththeirfaces；thesametimid，happylookinboththeireyes。Hemovedquicklytoherside。
\"Thenyouknewthat——that——womanwasmywife？\"hesaid，hurriedly，ashegraspedherhand。
Shecastahalf-appealinglookathisface——ahalf-frightenedonearoundtheroomandattheopendoorbeyond。
\"Letus，\"shesaidfaintly，\"gointotheconservatory。\"……
ItisbutafewyearsagothattheveraciouschroniclerofthesepagesmovedwithawonderingcrowdofsightseersinthegardensoftheWhiteHouse。Thewarcloudhadlongsinceliftedandvanished；
thePotomacflowedpeacefullybyandontowhereoncelaythebroadplantationofagreatConfederateleader——nowanationalcemeterythathadgatheredthesoldierdeadofbothsectionssidebysideinequalrestandhonor——andthegreatgoddessoncemorelookeddownserenelyfromthedomeofthewhiteCapitol。Thechronicler’sattentionwasattractedbyanerect，handsomesoldierly-lookingman，withabeardandmoustacheslightlystreakedwithgray，pointingoutthevariousobjectsofinteresttoaboyoftwelveorfourteenathisside。
\"Yes；although，asItoldyou，thishousebelongsonlytothePresidentoftheUnitedStatesandhisfamily，\"saidthegentleman，smilingly，\"inthatlittleconservatoryIproposedtoyourmother。\"
\"Oh！Clarence，howcanyou！\"saidthelady，reprovingly，\"youknowitwasLONGafterthat！\"
