Itrevealedonthelipsofthosewhohadbeenmortallywoundedandhadturnedupontheirsidethereliefwhichdeathhadbroughttheirsuffering，sometimesshowninafaintsmile。Mountinghigher，itglancedupontheactualbattleline，curiouslycurvingfortheshelterofwalls，fences，andbreastworks，andherethedeadlay，evenaswhentheylayandfired，theirfacesproneinthegrassbuttheirmusketsstillrestingacrossthebreastworks。Exposedtograpeandcanisterfromthebatteryontheridge，deathhadcometothemmercifullyalso——throughtheheadandthroat。Andnowthewholefieldlaybareinthesunlight，brokenwithgrotesqueshadowscastfromsitting，crouching，half-recumbentbutalwaysrigidfigures，whichmighthavebeeneffigiesontheirownmonuments。
Onehalf-kneelingsoldier，withheadbowedbetweenhisstiffenedhands，mighthavestoodforacarvenfigureofGriefatthefeetofhisdeadcomrade。Acaptain，shotthroughthebrainintheactofmountingawall，laysidewayshalfacrossit，hislipspartedwithawordofcommand；hisswordstillpointingoverthebarrierthewaythattheyshouldgo。
Butitwasnotuntilthesunhadmountedhigherthatitstruckthecentralhorrorofthefieldandseemedtolingerthereindazzlingpersistence，nowandthenreturningtoitinstartlingflashesthatitmightbeseenofmenandthosewhobroughtsuccor。Atinybrookhadrunobliquelynearthebattleline。Itwasherethat，thenightbeforethebattle，friendandfoehadfilledtheircanteenssidebysidewithsoldierlyrecklessness——orperhapsahigherinstinct——purposelyignoringeachother’spresence；itwasherethatthewoundedhadafterwardscrept，crawled，anddraggedthemselves，heretheyhadpushed，wrangled，striven，andfoughtforadraughtofthatpreciousfluidwhichassuagedthethirstoftheirwounds——orhappilyputthemoutoftheirmiseryforever；hereoverborne，crushed，suffocatedbynumbers，pouringtheirownbloodintotheflood，andtumblingafteritwiththeirhelplessbodies，theydammedthestream，untilrecoiling，redandangry，ithadburstitsbanksandoverflowedthecotton-fieldinabroadpoolthatnowsparkledinthesunlight。Butbelowthishumandam——amileaway——wherethebrookstillcreptsluggishly，theambulancehorsessniffedandstartedfromit。
Thedetailmovedonslowly，doingtheirworkexpeditiously，andapparentlycallously，butreallyonlywiththatmechanicalmovementthatsavesemotion。Onlyoncetheyweremovedtoanoutbreakofindignation，——thediscoveryofthebodyofanofficerwhosepocketswereturnedinsideout，butwhosehandwasstilltightlygraspedonhisbuttonedwaistcoat，asifresistingtheoutragethathadbeendonewhilestillinlife。Asthemendisengagedthestiffenedhandsomethingslippedfromthewaistcoattotheground。Thecorporalpickeditupandhandedittohisofficer。Itwasasealedpacket。
Theofficerreceiveditwiththecarelessnesswhichlongexperienceofthesepatheticmissivesfromthedyingtotheirlivingrelationshadinduced，anddroppeditinthepocketofhistunic，withthehalf-dozenothersthathehadpickedupthatmorning，andmovedonwiththedetail。Alittlefurtherontheyhalted，intheattitudeofattention，asamountedofficerappeared，ridingslowlydowntheline。
Therewassomethingmorethanthehabitualrespectoftheirsuperiorintheirfacesashecameforward。Foritwasthegeneralwhohadcommandedthebrigadethedaybefore，——themanwhohadleapedwithoneboundintotheforemostrankofmilitaryleaders。
Itwashisinvinciblespiritthathadledtheadvance，heldbackdefeatagainstoverwhelmingnumbers，sustainedtherally，impressedhissubordinateofficerswithhisownundeviatingpurpose，andeveninfusedthemwithanalmostsuperstitiousbeliefinhisdestinyofsuccess。Itwasthismanwhohaddonewhatitwasdeemedimpossibletodo，——whatevenatthetimeitwasthoughtunwiseandunstrategictodo，——whohadheldaweakposition，ofapparentlynoimportance，underthemandateofanincomprehensibleorderfromhissuperior，whichatbestaskedonlyforasacrificeandwasrewardedwithavictory。Hehaddecimatedhisbrigade，butthewoundedanddyinghadcheeredhimashepassed，andthesurvivorshadpursuedtheenemyuntilthebuglecalledthemback。Forsucharecordhelookedstilltooyoungandscholarly，albeithishandsomefacewasdarkandenergetic，andhismannertaciturn。
Hisquickeyehadalreadycaughtsightoftherifledbodyoftheofficer，andcontracted。Asthecaptainofthedetailsalutedhimhesaidcurtly，——
"Ithoughttheordersweretofireuponanyonedesecratingthedead？"
"Theyare，General；butthehyenasdon’tgiveusachance。That’sallyonderpoorfellowsavedfromtheirclaws，"repliedtheofficer，asheheldupthesealedpacket。"Ithasnoaddress。"
Thegeneraltookit，examinedtheenvelope，thrustitintohisbelt，andsaid，——
"Iwilltakechargeofit。"
Thesoundofhorses’hoofscamefromtherockyroadsidebeyondthebrook。Bothmenturned。Anumberoffieldofficerswereapproaching。
"Thedivisionstaff，"saidthecaptain，inalowervoice，fallingback。
Theycameslowlyforward，acentralfigureonagrayhorseleadinghere——asinhistory。Ashort，thick-setmanwithagrizzledbeardcloselycroppedaroundaninscrutablemouth，andtheseriousformalityofarespectablecountrydeaconinhisaspect，whicheventhemajor-generalsblazonontheshoulder-strapofhisloosetuniconhissoldierlyseatinthesaddlecouldnotentirelyobliterate。
Hehadevidentlyperceivedthegeneralofbrigade，andquickenedhishorseasthelatterdrewup。Thestafffollowedmoreleisurely，butstillwithsomecuriosity，towitnessthemeetingofthefirstgeneralofthearmywiththeyoungest。Thedivisiongeneralsaluted，butalmostinstantlywithdrewhisleatherngauntlet，andofferedhisbaredhandtothebrigadier。Thewordsofheroesarescant。Thedrawn-updetail，thewaitingstafflistened。Thiswasalltheyheard：——
"Hallecktellsmeyou’refromCalifornia？"
"Yes，General。"
"Ah！Ilivedthere，too，intheearlydays。"
"Wonderfulcountry。Developedgreatlysincemytime，Isuppose？"
"Yes，General。"
"Greatresources；finestwheat-growingcountryintheworld，sir。
Youdon’thappentoknowwhattheactualcropwasthisyear？"
"Hardly，General！butsomethingenormous。"
"Yes，Ihavealwayssaiditwouldbe。Haveacigar？"
Hehandedhiscigar-casetothebrigadier。Thenhetookonehimself，lighteditatthesmoulderingendoftheonehehadtakenfromhismouth，wasabouttothrowthestumpcarelesslydown，but，suddenlyrecollectinghimself，leanedoverhishorse，anddroppeditcarefullyafewinchesawayfromthefaceofadeadsoldier。
Then，straighteninghimselfinthesaddle，heshovedhishorseagainstthebrigadier，movinghimalittlefurtheron，whileaslightmovementofhishandkeptthestafffromfollowing。
"Aheavylosshere！"
"I’mafraidso，General。"
"Itcouldn’tbehelped。Wehadtorushinyourbrigadetogaintime，andoccupytheenemy，untilwecouldchangefront。"
Theyounggenerallookedattheshrewd，coldeyesofhischief。
"Changefront？"heechoed。
"Yes。Beforeagunwasfired，wediscoveredthattheenemywasincompletepossessionofallourplans，andkneweverydetailofourforwardmovement。Allhadtobechanged。"
Theyoungermannowinstantlyunderstoodtheincomprehensibleorderofthedaybefore。
Thegeneralofdivisioncontinued，withhisfirsttouchofofficialformality，——
"Youunderstand，therefore，GeneralBrant，thatinthefaceofthisextraordinarytreachery，theutmostvigilanceisrequired，andacompletesurveillanceofyourcampfollowersandcivilians，todetecttheactualspywithinourlines，orthetraitorweareharboring，whohasbecomepossessedofthisinformation。Youwilloverhaulyourbrigade，andweedoutallsuspects，andinthepositionwhichyouaretotaketo-morrow，andtheplantationyouwilloccupy，youwillseethatyourprivatequarters，aswellasyourlines，areclearedofallbutthoseyoucanvouchfor。"
Hereinedinhishorse，againextendedhishand，saluted，andrejoinedhisstaff。
Brigadier-GeneralClarenceBrantremainedforamomentwithhisheadbentinthoughtfulcontemplationofthecoolnessofhisveteranchiefunderthisexcitingdisclosure，andthestrategywithwhichhehadfrustratedthetraitor’ssuccess。Thenhiseyecaughtthesealedpacketinhisbelt。Hemechanicallydrewitout，andbroketheseal。Theenvelopewasfilledwithpapersandmemorandums。
Butashelookedatthemhisfacedarkenedandhisbrowknit。Heglancedquicklyaroundhim。Thestaffhadtrottedaway；thecaptainandhisdetailwerecontinuingtheirworkatalittledistance。Hetookalongbreath，forhewasholdinginhishandatracingoftheircamp，evenofthepositionhewastooccupytomorrow，andadetailedaccountofthemovements，plans，andforceofthewholedivisionashadbeenarrangedincouncilofwarthedaybeforethebattle！Buttherewasnoindicationofthewriterorhisintentions。
Hethrustthepapershurriedlybackintotheenvelope，butplacedit，thistime，inhisbreast。Hegallopedtowardsthecaptain。
"Letmeseeagaintheofficerfromwhomyoutookthatpacket！"
Thecaptainledhimtowherethebodylay，withothers，extendedmoredecentlyonthegrassawaitingremoval。GeneralBrantwithdifficultyrepressedanejaculation。
"Why，it’soneofourownmen，"hesaidquickly。
"Yes，General。Theysayit’sLieutenantWainwright，aregular，ofthepaymastergeneral’sdepartment。"
"Thenwhatwashedoinghere？"askedGeneralBrantsternly。
"Ican’tmakeout，sir，unlesshewentintothelastadvanceasavolunteer。Wantedtoseethefight，Isuppose。Hewasadashingfellow，aWestPointer，——andaSoutherner，too，——aVirginian。"
"ASoutherner！"echoedBrantquickly。
"Yes，sir。"
"Searchhimagain，"saidBrantquietly。Hehadrecoveredhisusualcoolness，andasthecaptainagainexaminedthebody，hetookouthistabletsandwroteafewlines。ItwasanordertosearchthequartersofLieutenantWainwrightandbringallpapers，letters，anddocumentstohim。Hethenbeckonedoneofthedetailtowardshim。"Takethattotheprovostmarshalatonce。Well，Captain，"
headdedcalmly，astheofficeragainapproachedhim，"whatdoyoufind？"
"Onlythis，sir，"returnedthecaptain，withahalfsmile，producingasmallphotograph。"Isupposeitwasoverlooked，too。"
HehandedittoBrant。
Therewasasuddenfixingofhiscommandingofficer’seyes，buthisfacedidnototherwisechange。
"It’stheusualfind，General。Alwaysaphotograph！Butthistimeahandsomewoman！"
"Very，"saidClarenceBrantquietly。Itwastheportraitofhisownwife。
CHAPTERII。
Nevertheless，socompletewashiscontrolofvoiceandmannerthat，asherodeontohisquarters，noonewouldhavedreamedthatGeneralBranthadjustlookeduponthelikenessofthewifefromwhomhehadpartedinangerfouryearsago。Stilllesswouldtheyhavesuspectedthestrangefearthatcameuponhimthatinsomewayshewasconnectedwiththetreacheryhehadjustdiscovered。Hehadheardfromheronlyonce，andthenthroughherlatehusband’slawyer，inregardtoherCalifornianproperty，andbelievedthatshehadgonetoherrelationsinAlabama，whereshehadidentifiedherselfwiththeSoutherncause，eventothesacrificeofherprivatefortune。HehadheardhernamementionedintheSouthernpressasafascinatingsocietyleader，andevencoadjutrixofSouthernpoliticians，——buthehadnoreasontobelievethatshehadtakensoactiveorsodesperateapartinthestruggle。HetriedtothinkthathisuneasinesssprangfromhisrecollectionoftheprevioustreacheryofCaptainPinckney，andthepartthatshehadplayedintheCalifornianconspiracy，althoughhehadlongsinceacquittedherofthebetrayalofanynearertrust。Buttherewasafatefulsimilarityinthetwocases。TherewasnodoubtthatthisLieutenantWainwrightwasatraitorinthecamp，——thathehadsuccumbedtotheusualsophistryofhisclassinregardtohissuperiorallegiancetohisnativeState。Butwastheretheinducementofanotheremotion，orwasthephotographonlythesouvenirofafascinatingpriestessofrebellion，whomthedeadmanhadmet？Therewasperhapslessoffeelingthanscorninthefirstsuggestion，buthewasneverthelessrelievedwhentheprovostmarshalfoundnootherincriminatingpapersinWainwright’seffects。Nordidherevealtothedivisiongeneralthefindingofthephotograph。Itwassufficienttodisclosetheworkofthetraitorwithoutaddingwhatmightbeacluetohiswife’sparticipationinit，nearorremote。Therewasriskenoughintheformercourse，——whichhisdutymadeimperative。Hehardlydaredtothinkofthepastday’sslaughter，which——therewasnodoubtnow——
hadbeenduetothepreviousworkofthespy，andhowhisbrigadehadbeenselected——bytheironyofFate——tosufferforandyetretrieveit。Ifshehadhadahandinthiswickedplot，oughthetospareher？Orwashisdestinyandherstobethusmonstrouslylinkedtogether？
Luckily，however，theexpiationofthechiefoffenderandthetimelydiscoveryofhispapersenabledthedivisioncommandertokeeptheaffairdiscreetlysilent，andtoenjoinequalsecrecyonthepartofBrant。Thelatter，however，didnotrelaxhisvigilance，andaftertheadvancethenextdayhemadeaminuteinspectionofthegroundhewastooccupy，itsapproachesandconnectionswiththeoutlyingcountry，andtherebellines；
increasedthestringencyofpicketandsentryregulations，andexercisedarigidsurveillanceofnon-combatantsandcivilianswithinthelines，eventothelowestcanteenerorcampfollower。
Thenheturnedhisattentiontothehousehewastooccupyashisheadquarters。
Itwasafinespecimenoftheoldcolonialplanter’shouse，withitsbroadveranda，itsgreatdetachedofficesandnegroquarters，andhad，thusfar，escapedtheravagesandbilletingofthewar。
Ithadbeenoccupiedbyitsowneruptoafewdaysbeforetheengagement，andsogreathadbeentheconfidenceoftheenemyintheirsuccessthatithadbeenusedastheConfederateheadquartersonthemorningofthedecisivebattle。Jasmineandrose，unstainedbythesulphurofgunpowder，twinedarounditsruinedcolumnsandhalfhidtherecessedwindows；thecarelessflowergardenwasstillinitsunkemptandunpluckedluxuriance；thecourtyardbeforethestablesaloneshowedmarksofthelatemilitaryoccupancy，andwaspulverizedbytheuneasyhorse-hoofsofthewaitingstaff。Butthemingledimpressofbarbaricprodigalitywithpatriarchalsimplicitywasstillthereinthedomesticarrangementsofaracewholivedonhalfequalfamiliaritywithstrangersandtheirownservants。
Thenegroservantsstillremained，withacertaincat-likefidelitytotheplace，andadaptedthemselvestotheNortherninvaderswithachildlikeenjoymentofthenoveltyofchange。Brant，nevertheless，lookedthemoverwithanexperiencedeye，andsatisfiedhimselfoftheirtrustworthiness；therewastheusualnumberof"boys，"
gray-hairedandgrizzledinbodyservice，andthe"mammys"and"aunties"ofthekitchen。Thereweretwoorthreeroomsinthewingwhichstillcontainedprivatearticles，picturesandsouvenirsofthefamily，anda"younglady’s"boudoir，whichBrant，withcharacteristicdelicacy，keptcarefullyisolatedandintactfromhismilitaryhousehold，andaccessibleonlytothefamilyservants。Theroomhehadselectedforhimselfwasnearestit，——asmall，plainlyfurnishedapartment，withanalmostconventualsimplicityinitscold，whitewallsanddraperies，andthenarrow，nun-likebed。Itstruckhimthatitmighthavebelongedtosomeprimelderdaughterormaidenaunt，whohadactedashousekeeper，asitcommandedthewingandservants’offices，witheasyaccesstothecentralhall。
TherefollowedaweekofinactivityinwhichBrantfeltasingularresemblanceinthisSouthernmansiontotheoldcasaatRobles。
TheafternoonshadowsofthedeepverandasrecalledtheoldmonasticgloomoftheSpanishhouse，whicheventhepresenceofaloungingofficerorwaitingorderlycouldnotentirelydissipate，andthescentoftheroseandjasminefromhiswindowsovercamehimwithsadmemories。Hebegantochafeunderthisinaction，andlongagainfortheexcitementofthemarchandbivouac，inwhich，forthepastfouryears，hehadburiedhispast。
Hewassittingoneafternoonalonebeforehisreportsanddispatches，whenthisinfluenceseemedsostrongthathehalfimpulsivelylaidthemasidetoindulgeinalongreverie。HewasrecallinghislastdayatRobles，theearlymorningduelwithPinckney，thereturntoSanFrancisco，andthesuddenresolutionwhichsenthimthatdayacrossthecontinenttoofferhisservicestotheGovernment。HerememberedhisdelayintheWesterntown，whereavolunteerregimentwasbeingrecruited，hisentranceintoitasaprivate，hisrapidselection，throughtheforceofhissheerdevotionandintelligentconcentration，tothecaptaincyofhiscompany；hisswiftpromotiononhard-foughtfieldstotheheadoftheregiment，andthesingularsuccessthathadfollowedhisresistlessenergy，whichlefthimnotimetothinkofanythingbuthisduty。Thesuddenintrusionofhiswifeuponhiscareernow，eveninthisaccidentalandperhapsinnocentway，hadseriouslyunsettledhim。
Theshadowsweregrowingheavieranddeeper，itlackedonlyafewmomentsofthesunsetbugle，whenhewasrecalledtohimselfbythatsingularinstinctiveconsciousness，commontohumanity，ofbeingintentlylookedat。Heturnedquickly，——thedoorbehindhimclosedsoftly。Heroseandslippedintothehall。Thetallfigureofawomanwasgoingdownthepassage。Shewaserectandgraceful；
but，assheturnedtowardsthedoorleadingtotheoffices，hedistinctlysawthegaudilyturbanedheadandblacksilhouetteofanegress。Nevertheless，hehaltedamomentatthedoorofthenextroom。
"Seewhothatwomaniswhohasjustpassed，Mr。Martin。Shedoesn’tseemtobelongtothehouse。"
Theyoungofficerrose，putonhiscap，anddeparted。Inafewmomentshereturned。
"Wasshetall，sir，ofagoodfigure，andverystraight？"
"Yes。"
"Sheisaservantofourneighbors，theManlys，whooccasionallyvisitstheservantshere。Amulatto，Ithink。"
Brantreflected。Manyofthemulattoesandnegresseswereofgoodfigure，andthehabitofcarryingburdensontheirheadsgavethemasingularlyerectcarriage。
Thelieutenantlookedathischief。
"Haveyouanyorderstogiveconcerningher，General？"
"No，"saidBrant，afteramoment’spause，andturnedaway。
Theofficersmiled。Itseemedagoodstorytotellatmessofthishumanweaknessofhishandsome，reserved，andascetic-lookingleader。
AfewmorningsafterwardsBrantwasinterruptedoverhisreportsbythealmostabruptentranceoftheofficeroftheday。Hisfacewasflushed，anditwasevidentthatonlythepresenceofhissuperiorrestrainedhisexcitement。Heheldapaperinhishand。
"AladypresentsthisorderandpassfromWashington，countersignedbythedivisiongeneral。"
"Alady？"
"Yes，sir，sheisdressedassuch。Butshehasnotonlydeclinedthemostordinarycivilitiesandcourtesieswehaveofferedher，butshehasinsultedMr。Martinandmyselfgrossly，anddemandstobeshowntoyou——alone。"
Branttookthepaper。ItwasaspecialorderfromthePresident，passingMissMatildaFaulknerthroughtheFederallinestovisitheruncle’shome，knownas"GrayOaks，"nowheldandoccupiedastheheadquartersofBrant’sBrigade，inordertoarrangeforthepreservationanddisposalofcertainfamilyeffectsandprivatepropertythatstillremainedthere，ortotakeandcarryawaysuchproperty；andinvokingallnecessaryaidandassistancefromtheUnitedStatesforcesinsuchoccupancy。Itwascountersignedbythedivisioncommander。Itwasperfectlyregularandofundoubtedauthenticity。Hehadheardofpassesofthiskind，——theterrorofthearmy，——issuedinWashingtonundersomestrangecontrollinginfluenceandagainstmilitaryprotest；buthedidnotlethissubordinateseetheuneasinesswithwhichitfilledhim。
"Showherin，"hesaidquietly。
Butshehadalreadyentered，brushingscornfullypasttheofficer，anddrawingherskirtaside，asifcontaminated：averyprettySoutherngirl，scornfulandred-lipped，cladinagrayriding-
habit，andstillcarryingherriding-whipclenchedominouslyinherslim，gauntletedhand！
"Youhavemypermitinyourhand，"shesaidbrusquely，hardlyraisinghereyestoBrant。"Isupposeit’sallstraightenough，——
andevenifitisn’t，Idon’treckontobekeptwaitingwiththosehirelings。"
"Your’permit’is’straight’enough，MissFaulkner，"saidBrant，slowlyreadinghernamefromthedocumentbeforehim。"But，asitdoesnotseemtoincludepermissiontoinsultmyofficers，youwillperhapsallowthemfirsttoretire。"
Hemadeasigntotheofficer，whopassedoutofthedoor。
Asitclosed，hewenton，inagentlebutcoldlyunimpassionedvoice，——
"IperceiveyouareaSouthernlady，andthereforeIneednotremindyouthatitisnotconsideredgoodformtotreateventheslavesofthoseonedoesnotlikeuncivilly，andImust，therefore，askyoutokeepyouractiveanimosityformyself。"
Theyounggirlliftedhereyes。Shehadevidentlynotexpectedtomeetamansoyoung，sohandsome，sorefined，andsocoldlyinvincibleinmanner。Stilllesswasshepreparedforthatkindofantagonism。Inkeepingupherpreconcertedattitudetowardsthe"Northernhireling，"shehadbeenmetwithofficialbrusqueness，contemptuoussilence，oraggrievedindignation，——butnothingsoexasperatingasthis。Sheevenfanciedthatthiselegantbutsardonic-lookingsoldierwasmockingher。Shebitherredlip，but，withascornfulgestureofherriding-whip，said，——
"IreckonthatyourknowledgeofSouthernladiesis，forcertainreasons，notveryextensive。"
"Pardonme；Ihavehadthehonorofmarryingone。"
Apparentlymoreexasperatedthanbefore，sheturneduponhimabruptly。
"Yousaymypassisallright。ThenIpresumeImayattendtothebusinessthatbroughtmehere。"
"Certainly；butyouwillforgivemeifIimaginedthatanexpressionofcontemptforyourhostswasapartofit。"
Herangabellonthetable。Itwasrespondedtobyanorderly。
"Sendallthehouseholdservantshere。"
Theroomwaspresentlyfilledwiththeduskyfacesofthenegroretainers。Hereandtherewasthegleamingofwhiteteeth，butamajorityoftheassemblyworethetruenegroseriousacceptanceoftheimportanceof"anoccasion。"Oneortwoevenaffectedanofficialandsoldierlybearing。And，ashefullyexpected，therewereseveralglancesofsignificantrecognitionofthestranger。
"Youwillgive，"saidBrantsternly，"everyaidandattentiontothewantsofthisyounglady，whoisheretorepresenttheinterestsofyouroldmaster。Asshewillbeentirelydependentuponyouinallthingsconnectedwithhervisithere，seetoitthatshedoesnothavetocomplaintomeofanyinattention，——orbeobligedtoaskforotherassistance。"
AsMissFaulkner，albeitatriflepalerinthecheek，butasscornfulasever，wasabouttofollowtheservantsfromtheroom，Brantstoppedher，withacoldlycourteousgesture。
"Youwillunderstand，therefore，MissFaulkner，thatyouhaveyourwish，andthatyouwillnotbeexposedtoanycontactwiththemembersofmymilitaryfamily，northeywithyou。"
"AmIthentobeaprisonerinthishouse——andunderafreepassofyour——President？"shesaidindignantly。
"Bynomeans！Youarefreetocomeandgo，andseewhomyouplease。Ihavenopowertocontrolyouractions。ButIhavethepowertocontroltheirs。"
Shesweptfuriouslyfromtheroom。
"Thatisquiteenoughtofillherwithadesiretoflirtwitheverymanhere，"saidBranttohimself，withafaintsmile；"butIfancytheyhavehadatasteenoughofherquality。"
Neverthelesshesatdownandwroteafewlinestothedivisioncommander，pointingoutthathehadalreadyplacedtheowner’sprivatepropertyunderstrictsurveillance，thatitwascaredforandperfectlypreservedbythehouseholdservants，andthatthepasswasevidentlyobtainedasasubterfuge。
Tothishereceivedaformalreply，regrettingthattheauthoritiesatWashingtonstillfounditnecessarytoputthiskindofriskandburdenonthearmyinthefield，butthattheorderemanatedfromthehighestauthority，andmustbestrictlyobeyed。Atthebottomofthepagewasacharacteristiclineinpencilinthegeneral’sownhand——"Notthekindthatisdangerous。"
AflushmountedBrant’scheeks，asifitcontainednotonlyahidden，butapersonalsignificance。Hehadthoughtofhisownwife！
Singularlyenough，adayortwolater，atdinner，theconversationturnedupontheintensesectionalfeelingofSouthernwomen，probablyinducedbytheirlateexperiences。Brant，attheheadofthetable，inhishabitualabstraction，wasscarcelyfollowingthesomewhatexciteddictionofColonelStrangeways，oneofhisstaff。
"No，sir，"reiteratedthatindignantwarrior，"takemywordforit！
ASouthernwomanisn’ttobetrustedonthispoint，whetherasasister，sweetheart，orwife。Andwhensheistrusted，she’sboundtogetthebetterofthemaninanyofthoserelations！"
Thedeadsilencethatfollowed，theominousjoggleofaglassatthespeaker’selbow，thequick，sympatheticglancethatBrantinstinctivelyfeltwasdirectedathisownface，andtheabruptchangeofsubject，couldnotbutarresthisattention，evenifhehadoverlookedthespeech。Hisface，however，betrayednothing。
Ithadnever，however，occurredtohimbeforethathisfamilyaffairsmightbeknown——neitherhadheeverthoughtofkeepingthemasecret。Itseemedsopurelyapersonalandprivatemisfortune，thathehadneverdreamedofitshavinganypublicinterest。Andevennowhewasalittleashamedofwhathebelievedwashissensitivenesstomereconventionalcriticism，which，withtheinstinctofaproudman，hehaddespised。
HewasnotfarwronginhissardonicintuitionoftheeffectofhisprohibitionuponMissFaulkner’sfeelings。Certainlythatyounglady，whennotengagedinhermysteriousoccupationofarrangingheruncle’seffects，occasionallywasseeninthegarden，andinthewoodsbeyond。Althoughherpresencewasthesignalforthe"oblique"ofanylounging"shoulderstrap，"orthevacant"front"
ofapostedsentry，sheseemedtoregardtheiroccasionalproximitywithlessactivedisfavor。Once，whenshehadmountedthewalltogatheramagnoliablossom，thechairbywhichshehadascendedrolledover，leavingheronthewall。Atasignalfromtheguard-
room，twosappersandminersappearedcarryingascaling-ladder，whichtheyplacedsilentlyagainstthewall，andassilentlywithdrew。Onanotheroccasion，thesamespiritedyounglady，whomBrantwassatisfiedwouldhaveprobablyimperiledherlifeunderfireindevotiontohercause，wasbroughtignominiouslytobayinthefieldbythatmostappallingofdomesticanimals，thewanderinganduntrammeledcow！Brantcouldnothelpsmilingasheheardthequick，harshcallto"Turnout，guard，"sawthemenmarchstolidlywithfixedbayonetstothevicinityoftheaffrightedanimal，whofled，leavingthefairstrangertowalkshamefacedlytothehouse。
Hewassurprised，however，thatsheshouldhavehaltedbeforehisdoor，andwithtremulousindignation，said，——
"Ithankyou，sir，foryourchivalrousnessinturningadefenselesswomanintoridicule。"
"Iregret，MissFaulkner，"beganBrantgravely，"thatyoushouldbelievethatIamabletocontroltheadvancesoffarmyardcattleaseasilyas"——Buthestopped，ashesawthattheangryflashofherblueeyes，asshedartedpasthim，wassetintears。Alittleremorsefulonthefollowingday，headdedawordtohisordinarycap-liftingwhenshewentby，butsheretainedareproachfulsilence。Laterintheday，hereceivedfromherservantarespectfulrequestforaninterview，andwasrelievedtofindthatsheenteredhispresencewithnotraceofherformeraggression，butratherwiththeresignationofadeeplyinjured，yetnotentirelyunforgiving，woman。
"Ithought，"shebegancoldly，"thatIoughttoinformyouthatI
wouldprobablybeabletoconcludemybusinessherebythedayafterto-morrow，andthatyouwouldthenberelievedofmypresence。Iamaware——indeed，"sheadded，bitterly，"Icouldscarcelyhelpperceiving，thatithasbeenanexceedinglyirksomeone。"
"Itrust，"beganBrantcoldly，"thatnogentlemanofmycommandhas"——
"No！"
Sheinterruptedhimquickly，withareturnofherformermanner，andapassionatesweepofthehand。
"DoyousupposeforamomentthatIamspeaking——thatIameventhinking——ofthem？Whataretheytome？"
"Thankyou。Iamgladtoknowthattheyarenothing；andthatI
maynowtrustthatyouhaveconsultedmywishes，andhavereservedyouranimositysolelyforme，"returnedBrantquietly。"Thatbeingso，Iseenoreasonforyourhurryingyourdepartureintheleast。"
Sheroseinstantly。
"Ihave，"shesaidslowly，controllingherselfwithaslighteffort，"foundsomeonewhowilltakemydutyoffmyhands。Sheisaservantofoneofyourneighbors，——whoisanoldfriendofmyuncle’s。Thewomanisfamiliarwiththehouse，andourprivateproperty。Iwillgiveherfullinstructionstoactforme，andevenanauthorizationinwriting，ifyoupreferit。Sheisalreadyinthehabitofcominghere；buthervisitswillgiveyouverylittletrouble。And，assheisaslave，or，asyoucallit，I
believe，achattel，shewillbealreadyquiteaccustomedtothetreatmentwhichherclassareinthehabitofreceivingfromNorthernhands。"
WithoutwaitingtoperceivetheeffectofherParthianshot，shesweptproudlyoutoftheroom。
"Iwonderwhatshemeans，"musedBrant，asherquickstepdiedawayinthepassage。"Onethingiscertain，——awomanlikethatisaltogethertooimpulsiveforaspy。"
Later，inthetwilight，hesawherwalkinginthegarden。Therewasafigureatherside。Alittlecurious，heexamineditmorecloselyfromhiswindow。Itwasalreadyfamiliartohim，——theerect，shapelyformofhisneighbor’sservant。Athoughtfullookpassedoverhisfaceashemuttered，——"Sothisistobeherdeputy。"
CHAPTERIII。
Calledtoageneralcouncilofofficersatdivisionalheadquartersthenextday，Branthadlittletimeforfurtherspeculationregardinghisstrangeguest，butaremarkfromthedivisioncommander，thathepreferredtocommitthegeneralplanofamovementthenunderdiscussiontotheirmemoriesratherthantowrittenordersintheordinaryroutine，seemedtoshowthathischiefstillsuspectedtheexistenceofaspy。He，therefore，toldhimofhislateinterviewwithMissFaulkner，andherprobablewithdrawalinfavorofamulattoneighbor。Thedivisioncommanderreceivedtheinformationwithindifference。
"They’remuchtooclevertoemployahussylikethat，whoshowsherhandateveryturn，eitherasaspyoramessengerofspies，——andthemulattoesaretoostupid，tosaynothingoftheirprobablefidelitytous。No，General，ifwearewatched，itisbyaneagle，andnotamocking-bird。MissFaulknerhasnothingworseaboutherthanhertongue；andthereisn’ttheniggerbloodinthewholeSouththatwouldriskanooseforher，orforanyoftheirmastersormistresses！"
Itwas，therefore，perhaps，withsomemitigationofhisusualcriticalseveritythathesawherwalkingbeforehimaloneinthelaneasherodehometoquarters。Shewasapparentlylostinahalf-impatient，half-moodyreverie，whicheventhetrottinghoof-
beatsofhisownandhisorderly’shorsehadnotdisturbed。Fromtimetotimeshestruckthemyrtlehedgebesideherwiththeheadofalargeflowerwhichhungbyitsstalkfromherlistlesshands，orheldittoherfaceasiftoinhaleitsperfume。Dismissinghisorderlybyasidepath，herodegentlyforward，but，tohissurprise，withoutturning，orseemingtobeawareofhispresence，shequickenedherpace，andevenappearedtolookfromsidetosideforsomeavenueofescape。Ifonlytomendmatters，hewasobligedtoridequicklyforwardtoherside，wherehethrewhimselffromhishorse，flungthereinsonhisarm，andbegantowalkbesideher。Sheatfirstturnedaslightlyflushedcheekawayfromhim，andthenlookedupwithapurelysimulatedstartofsurprise。
"Iamafraid，"hesaidgently，"thatIamthefirsttobreakmyownordersinregardtoanyintrusiononyourprivacy。ButIwantedtoaskyouifIcouldgiveyouanyaidwhateverinthechangeyouthinkofmaking。"
Hewasquitesincere，——hadbeentouchedbyhermanifestdisturbance，and，despitehismasculinerelentlessnessofcriticism，hehadanintuitionoffemininesufferingthatwasinitselffeminine。
"Meaning，thatyouareinahurrytogetridofme，"shesaidcurtly，withoutraisinghereyes。
"MeaningthatIonlywishtoexpediteabusinesswhichIthinkisunpleasanttoyou，butwhichIbelieveyouhaveundertakenfromunselfishdevotion。"
Thescantexpressionofareservednatureissometimesmoreattractivetowomenthanthemostfluentvivacity。Possiblytherewasalsoamelancholygraceinthissardonicsoldier’smannerthataffectedher，forshelookedup，andsaidimpulsively，——
"Youthinkso？"
Buthemethereagereyeswithsomesurprise。
"Icertainlydo，"herepliedmorecoldly。"Icanimagineyourfeelingsonfindingyouruncle’shomeinthepossessionofyourenemies，andyourpresenceunderthefamilyroofonlyasufferance。
Icanhardlybelieveitapleasuretoyou，orataskyouwouldhaveacceptedforyourselfalone。"
"But，"shesaid，turningtowardshimwickedly，"whatifIdiditonlytoexcitemyrevenge；whatifIknewitwouldgivemecouragetoincitemypeopletocarrywarintoyourownhomes；tomakeyouoftheNorthfeelasIfeel，andtasteourbitterness？"
"Icouldeasilyunderstandthat，too，"hereturned，withlistlesscoldness，"althoughIdon’tadmitthatrevengeisanunmixedpleasure，eventoawoman。"
"Awoman！"sherepeatedindignantly。"Thereisnosexinawarlikethis。"
"Youarespoilingyourflower，"hesaidquietly。"Itisverypretty，andanativeone，too；notaninvader，oreventransplanted。
MayIlookatit？"
Shehesitated，halfrecoilingforaninstant，andherhandtrembled。Then，suddenlyandabruptlyshesaid，withahystericlittlelaugh，"Takeit，then，"andalmostthrustitinhishand。
Itcertainlywasaprettyflower，notunlikealilyinappearance，withabell-likecupandlongantherscoveredwithafinepollen，likereddust。Asheliftedittohisface，toinhaleitsperfume，sheutteredaslightcry，andsnatcheditfromhishand。
"There！"shesaid，withthesamenervouslaugh。"Iknewyouwould；
Ioughttohavewarnedyou。Thepollencomesoffsoeasily，andleavesastain。Andyou’vegotsomeonyourcheek。Look！"shecontinued，takingherhandkerchieffromherpocketandwipinghischeek；"seethere！"Thedelicatecambricshowedablood-redstreak。
"Itgrowsinaswamp，"shecontinued，inthesameexcitedstrain；
"wecallitdragon’steeth，——likethekindthatwassowninthestory，youknow。Wechildrenusedtofindit，andthenpaintourfacesandlipswithit。Wecalleditourrouge。IwasalmosttemptedtotryitagainwhenIfounditjustnow。Ittookmebacksototheoldtimes。"
Followingheroddmannerratherthanherwords，assheturnedherfacetowardshimsuddenly，Brantwasinclinedtothinkthatshehadtrieditalready，soscarletwashercheek。Butitpresentlypaledagainunderhiscoldscrutiny。
"Youmustmisstheoldtimes，"hesaidcalmly。"Iamafraidyoufoundverylittleofthemleft，exceptintheseflowers。"
"Andhardlythese，"shesaidbitterly。"Yourtroopshadfoundawaythroughthemarsh，andhadtrampleddownthebushes。"
Brant’sbrowclouded。Herememberedthatthebrook，whichhadrunredduringthefight，hadlostitselfinthismarsh。Itdidnotincreasehislikingforthisbeautifulbutblindlyviciousanimalathisside，andevenhismomentarypityforherwasfadingfast。
Shewasincorrigible。Theywalkedonforafewmomentsinsilence。
"Yousaid，"shebeganatlast，inagentlerandevenhesitatingvoice，"thatyourwifewasaSouthernwoman。"
Hecheckedanirritatedstartwithdifficulty。
"IbelieveIdid，"hesaidcoldly，asifheregrettedit。
"AndofcourseyoutaughtherYOURgospel，——thegospelaccordingtoSt。Lincoln。Oh，Iknow，"shewentonhurriedly，asifconsciousofhisirritationandseekingtoallayit。"Shewasawomanandlovedyou，andthoughtwithyourthoughtsandsawonlywithyoureyes。Yes，that’sthewaywithus，——Isupposewealldoit！"sheaddedbitterly。
"Shehadherownopinions，"saidBrantbriefly，asherecoveredhimself。
Nevertheless，hismannersodecidedlyclosedallfurtherdiscussionthattherewasnothingleftfortheyounggirlbutsilence。Butitwasbrokenbyherinafewmomentsinheroldcontemptuousvoiceandmanner。
"Praydon’ttroubleyourselftoaccompanymeanyfurther，GeneralBrant。Unless，ofcourse，youareafraidImaycomeacrosssomeofyour——yoursoldiers。IpromiseyouIwon’teatthem。"
"Iamafraidyoumustsuffermycompanyalittlelonger，MissFaulkner，onaccountofthosesamesoldiers，"returnedBrantgravely。"Youmaynotknowthatthisroad，inwhichIfindyou，takesyouthroughacordonofpickets。Ifyouwerealoneyouwouldbestopped，questioned，and，failingtogivethepassword，youwouldbedetained，senttotheguard-house，and"——hestopped，andfixedhiseyesonherkeenlyasheadded，"andsearched。"
"Youwouldnotdaretosearchawoman！"shesaidindignantly，althoughherflushgavewaytoaslightpallor。
"Yousaidjustnowthatthereshouldbenosexinawarlikethis，"
returnedBrantcarelessly，butwithoutabatinghisscrutinizinggaze。
"ThenitISwar？"shesaidquickly，withawhite，significantface。
Hislookofscrutinyturnedtooneofpuzzledwonder。Butatthesamemomenttherewastheflashofabayonetinthehedge，avoicecalled"Halt！"andasoldiersteppedintotheroad。
GeneralBrantadvanced，metthesaluteofthepicketwithafewformalwords，andthenturnedtowardshisfaircompanion，asanothersoldierandasergeantjoinedthegroup。
"MissFaulknerisnewtothecamp，tookthewrongturning，andwasunwittinglyleavingthelineswhenIjoinedher。"Hefixedhiseyesintentlyonhernowcolorlessface，butshedidnotreturnhislook。"Youwillshowhertheshortestwaytoquarters，"hecontinued，tothesergeant，"andshouldsheatanytimeagainloseherway，youwillagainconductherhome，——butwithoutdetainingorreportingher。"
Heliftedhiscap，remountedhishorse，androdeaway，astheyounggirl，withaproud，indifferentstep，moveddowntheroadwiththesergeant。Amountedofficerpassedhimandsaluted，——itwasoneofhisownstaff。Fromsomestrangeinstinct，heknewthathehadwitnessedthescene，andfromsomeequallystrangeintuitionhewasannoyedbyit。Buthecontinuedhisway，visitingoneortwooutposts，andreturnedbyalongdetourtohisquarters。AshesteppedupontheverandahesawMissFaulkneratthebottomofthegardentalkingwithsomeoneacrossthehedge。Bytheaidofhisglasshecouldrecognizetheshapelyfigureofthemulattowomanwhichhehadseenbefore。ButbyitsaidhealsodiscoveredthatshewascarryingaflowerexactlyliketheonewhichMissFaulknerstillheldinherhand。HadshebeenwithMissFaulknerinthelane，andifso，whyhadshedisappearedwhenhecameup？Impelledbysomethingstrongerthanmerecuriosity，hewalkedquicklydownthegarden，butsheevidentlyhadnoticedhim，forsheasquicklydisappeared。NotcaringtomeetMissFaulkneragain，heretracedhissteps，resolvingthathewould，onthefirstopportunity，personallyexamineandinterrogatethisnewvisitor。ForifsheweretotakeMissFaulkner’splaceinasubordinatecapacity，thisprecautionwasclearlywithinhisrights。
Here-enteredhisroomandseatedhimselfathisdeskbeforethedispatches，orders，andreportsawaitinghim。Hefoundhimself，however，workinghalfmechanically，andrecurringtohislateinterviewwithMissFaulknerinthelane。Ifshehadanyinclinationtoactthespy，ortouseherpositionhereasameansofcommunicatingwiththeenemy’slines，hethoughthehadthoroughlyfrightenedher。Nevertheless，now，forthefirsttime，hewasinclinedtoaccepthischief’sopinionofher。Shewasnotonlytooclumsyandinexperienced，butshetotallylackedtheself-
restraintofaspy。Hernervousagitationinthelanewasduetosomethingmoredisturbingthanhismerepossibleintrusionuponherconfidenceswiththemulatto。Thesignificanceofherquestion，"ThenitISwar？"wasatbestathreat，andthatimpliedhesitation。
Herecalledherstrangeallusiontohiswife；wasitmerelytheoutcomeofhisownfoolishconfessionontheirfirstinterview，orwasitaconcealedironicaltaunt？Beingsatisfied，however，thatshewasnotlikelytoimperilhispublicdutyinanyway，hewasangrywithhimselfforspeculatingfurther。But，althoughhestillfelttowardsherthesameantagonismshehadatfirstprovoked，hewasconsciousthatshewasbeginningtoexerciseastrangefascinationoverhim。
Dismissingheratlastwithaneffort，hefinishedhisworkandthenrose，andunlockingacloset，tookoutasmalldispatch-box，towhichheintendedtointrustafewmoreimportantordersandmemoranda。Asheopeneditwithakeyonhiswatch-chain，hewasstruckwithafaintperfumethatseemedtocomefromit，——aperfumethatheremembered。WasitthesmelloftheflowerthatMissFaulknercarried，orthescentofthehandkerchiefwithwhichshehadwipedhischeek，oraminglingofboth？Orwasheundersomespelltothinkofthatwretchedgirl，andherwitch-likeflower？
Heleanedovertheboxandsuddenlystarted。Upontheoutercoveringofadispatchwasasingularblood-redstreak！Heexamineditclosely，——itwasthepowderystainofthelilypollen，——exactlyashehadseenitonherhandkerchief。
Therecouldbenomistake。Hepassedhisfingeroverthestain；hecouldstillfeeltheslippery，infinitesimalpowderofthepollen。
Itwasnottherewhenhehadclosedtheboxthatmorning；itwasimpossiblethatitshouldbethereunlesstheboxhadbeenopenedinhisabsence。Here-examinedthecontentsofthebox；thepaperswereallthere。Morethanthat，theywerepapersofnoimportanceexcepttohimpersonally；containednoplansnorkeytoanymilitarysecret；hehadbeenfartoowisetointrustanytotheaccidentsofthisalienhouse。Thepryingintruder，whoeveritwas，hadgainednothing！Buttherewasunmistakablytheattempt！
Andtheexistenceofawould-bespywithinthepurlieusofthehousewasequallyclear。
Hecalledanofficerfromthenextroom。
"Hasanyonebeenheresincemyabsence？"
"No，General。"
"Hasanyonepassedthroughthehall？"
Hehadfullyanticipatedtheanswer，asthesubalternreplied，"Onlythewomenservants。"
Here-enteredtheroom。Closingthedoor，heagaincarefullyexaminedthebox，histable，thepapersuponit，thechairbeforeit，andeventheChinesemattingonthefloor，foranyfurtherindicationofthepollen。Ithardlyseemedpossiblethatanyonecouldhaveenteredtheroomwiththeflowerintheirhandwithoutscatteringsomeofthetell-taledustelsewhere；itwastoolargeaflowertobewornonthebreastorinthehair。Again，noonewouldhavedaredtolingertherelongenoughtohavemadeanexaminationofthebox，withanofficerinthenextroom，andthesergeantpassing。Theboxhadbeenremoved，andtheexaminationmadeelsewhere！
Anideaseizedhim。MissFaulknerwasstillabsent，themulattohadapparentlygonehome。Hequicklymountedthestaircase，butinsteadofenteringhisroom，turnedsuddenlyasideintothewingwhichhadbeenreserved。Thefirstdooryieldedasheturneditsknobgentlyandenteredaroomwhichheatoncerecognizedasthe"younglady’sboudoir。"Butthedustyanddrapedfurniturehadbeenrearrangedanduncovered，andtheapartmentboreeverysignofpresentuse。Yet，althoughtherewasunmistakableevidenceofitsbeingusedbyapersonoftasteandrefinement，hewassurprisedtoseethatthegarmentshanginginanopenpressweresuchaswereusedbynegroservants，andthatagaudyhandkerchiefsuchashousemaidsusedforturbanswaslyingontheprettysilkcoverlet。
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