Her husband safe,
General Lee victorious--some slight look of satisfaction could be seen in
her face--a faint smile, too easily read--and then--
"Well, dear, your news?"
Anger, tenderness, love, pity--all dictated answers. "Aunt Ann, I have
bad news."
"Of course, dear. It was to be expected. You won't believe me, but I am
sorry for you and for James."
The face of the tall young woman flushed hot. She had meant to spare
her--to be tender. She said, "General Lee is retreating after losing a
great battle at Gettysburg."
Her aunt said quickly, "But James Penhallow--he is in Washington?"
"No, he was in the army--he is wounded--not seriously--and he is coming
home."
"I might have known it." A great illumination came over her face not
understood by Leila. She was strangely glad for him that he had been in
the field and not in peaceful safety at Washington. With abrupt change of
expression, she added, "Wounded? Not seriously. That isn't like him to
come home for a slight wound. You or Mark Rivers are hiding something."
"Not I, aunt; but any wound that kept him off duty would be better cared
for here. Lee's defeat leaves him free for a time--I mean at ease--"
"Don't talk nonsense!" she cried. "What do I care for Lee--or
Meade--or battles! James Penhallow is all the world to me.
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