He turned quickly,--the door behind him closed
softly. He rose and slipped into the hall. The tall figure of a woman
was going down the passage. She was erect and graceful; but, as she
turned towards the door leading to the offices, he distinctly saw the
gaudily turbaned head and black silhouette of a negress. Nevertheless,
he halted a moment at the door of the next room.
"See who that woman is who has just passed, Mr. Martin. She doesn't seem
to belong to the house."
The young officer rose, put on his cap, and departed. In a few moments
he returned.
"Was she tall, sir, of a good figure, and very straight?"
"Yes."
"She is a servant of our neighbors, the Manlys, who occasionally visits
the servants here. A mulatto, I think."
Brant reflected. Many of the mulattoes and negresses were of good
figure, and the habit of carrying burdens on their heads gave them a
singularly erect carriage.
The lieutenant looked at his chief.
"Have you any orders to give concerning her, General?"
"No," said Brant, after a moment's pause, and turned away.
The officer smiled. It seemed a good story to tell at mess of this human
weakness of his handsome, reserved, and ascetic-looking leader.
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