"Meaning, that you are in a hurry to get rid of me," she said curtly,
without raising her eyes.
"Meaning that I only wish to expedite a business which I think is
unpleasant to you, but which I believe you have undertaken from
unselfish devotion."
The scant expression of a reserved nature is sometimes more attractive
to women than the most fluent vivacity. Possibly there was also a
melancholy grace in this sardonic soldier's manner that affected her,
for she looked up, and said impulsively,--
"You think so?"
But he met her eager eyes with some surprise.
"I certainly do," he replied more coldly. "I can imagine your feelings
on finding your uncle's home in the possession of your enemies, and your
presence under the family roof only a sufferance. I can hardly believe
it a pleasure to you, or a task you would have accepted for yourself
alone."
"But," she said, turning towards him wickedly, "what if I did it only to
excite my revenge; what if I knew it would give me courage to incite my
people to carry war into your own homes; to make you of the North feel
as I feel, and taste our bitterness?"
"I could easily understand that, too," he returned, with listless
coldness, "although I don't admit that revenge is an unmixed pleasure,
even to a woman.
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