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。