Sam reached the door and met Ben.
"Uncle Ben--he"s a comin"--Ma.r.s.e Stuart"s horse! I seen him "way "cross de ribber fust--des one long, white streak er dust ez fur ez de eye can reach!"
The mother gripped Mary"s arm with cruel force. The strain was again more than she could bear.
"Oh, dear, oh, dear, what have they done? What have they done?"
Ben entered the hall holding himself erect with the dignity of one who must bear great sorrows with his people. The mistress called to him weakly:
"Tell Colonel Lee, Ben."
The old man bowed gravely.
"Ya.s.sam. Right away, M"am."
Ben hurried to call his master as Sam edged into the front door and smiled at his mistress.
Mrs. Lee saw and recognized him for the first time. His loyalty touched her deeply in the hour of trial. She extended her hand in warm greeting.
"Why, _Sam_, you"ve come home!"
"Ya.s.sam. I come back ter stan" by my folks when dey needs me."
Mary"s eyes were misty as she smiled her welcome.
"You"re a good boy, Sam."
"Ya.s.sam. Ma.r.s.e Robert teach me."
The echo of Stuart"s horse"s hoof rang under the portico and Sam hurried to meet him.
His clear voice called:
"Don"t put "im up, boy!"
Mary"s heart began to pound. She knew he would be galloping down the white graveled way again in a few minutes. His next order confirmed her fear.
"Just give him some water!"
"Ya.s.sah!"
The two women stood huddled close in tense anxiety.
Lee hurried down the stairs and met Stuart at the door. Before the familiarity of a handshake or word of welcome he asked:
"What news, Lieutenant?"
Stuart spoke with deep emotion. On every word the man and the woman hung breathlessly.
"It has come, sir. Virginia has answered to the President"s call to send troops against her own people. She has sacrificed all save honor. The vote of the Convention was overwhelming. She has withdrawn from the Union--"
A moment"s deathly silence. And the cry of pain from a woman"s white lips. Mary caught her mother in her arms and held her firmly. The cry wrung her young heart.
"Oh, dear G.o.d, have mercy on us--and give us strength to bear it--"
Stuart hurried to her side and tried to break the blow with cheerful words.
"Don"t worry, Mrs. Lee. The South is right."
Lee had not spoken. His brilliant eyes had the look of a man who walks in his sleep. They were in the world but not of it. The deep things of eternity were in their brooding. He waked at last and turned to Stuart sadly.
"G.o.d save our country, my boy."
He paused and looked out the doorway on the beautiful green of the lawn.
The perfume from the rose garden stole in on the fresh breeze that stirred from the river.
"A frightful blow," he went on dreamily, "this news you bring."
Stuart"s young body stiffened.
"You"re the foremost citizen of Virginia, sir. Others may doubt and waver and be confused. I think I know what you"re going to do, in the end--"
"It"s hard--it"s hard," the strong man cried bitterly.
The mother and daughter studied his face in eager, anxious waiting. On his word life hung. Stuart glanced at their tense faces and couldn"t find speech. He turned and spoke briskly.
"I must hurry, sir. I"ll be in Richmond before sunset."
The sound of carriage wheels grated on the road and a foaming pair of horses drew under the portico. A woman sprang out.
Mrs. Lee turned to the Colonel.
"It"s your sister, Annie, Colonel."
"Yes," Stuart added, "I pa.s.sed her on the way--"
Mrs. Marshall hurried to greet Mrs. Lee. The two women embraced and wept in silence.
"Mary!"
"Annie!"
The names were barely breathed.
Mary silently kissed her aunt as she turned from her mother. The Colonel"s sister raised her eyes and saw Stuart. Her tones were sharp with the ring of a commander giving orders:
"Our army is marching, Lieutenant Stuart! You here in civilian clothes?"
The strong, young body stiffened.