The recollection of
what she had said of the power of love, albeit it had hurt him cruelly
at the time, was now clearer to him, and even seemed to mitigate her
offense. She would be here but a day or two longer; he could afford to
wait without interrogating her.
But as to the real intruder, spy or thief,--that was another affair, and
quickly settled. He gave an order to the officer of the day peremptorily
forbidding the entrance of alien servants or slaves within the precincts
of the headquarters. Any one thus trespassing was to be brought before
him. The officer looked surprised, he even fancied disappointed. The
graces of the mulatto woman's figure had evidently not been thrown away
upon his subalterns.
An hour or two later, when he was mounting his horse for a round of
inspection, he was surprised to see Miss Faulkner, accompanied by the
mulatto woman, running hurriedly to the house. He had forgotten his late
order until he saw the latter halted by the sentries, but the young girl
came flying on, regardless of her companion. Her skirt was held in one
hand, her straw hat had fallen back in her flight, and was caught only
by a ribbon around her swelling throat, and her loosened hair lay in a
black rippled loop on one shoulder.
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