Why had she selected him from among them--when she could
have modeled the others like wax to her purposes? Why? And yet with the
question came a possible answer that he hardly dared to think of--that
in its very vagueness seemed to fill him with a stimulating thrill and
hopefulness. He quickened his pace. He would take the letter, and yet be
master of himself when the time came to open it.
That time came three days later, in his tent at Three Pines Crossing. As
he broke open the envelope, he was relieved to find that it contained
no other inclosure, and seemed intended only for himself. It began
abruptly:--
"When you read this, you will understand why I did not speak to you
when we met last night; why I even dreaded that you might speak to
me, knowing, as I did, what I ought to tell you at that place and
moment--something you could only know from me. I did not know you were
in Washington, although I knew you were relieved; I had no way of seeing
you or sending to you before, and I only came to Mrs. Boompointer's
party in the hope of hearing news of you.
"You know that my brother was captured by your pickets in company with
another officer. He thinks you suspected the truth--that he and his
friend were hovering near your lines to effect the escape of the spy.
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