Mrs. Madison has been handed down by history as the one serene figure in the turmoil and danger. She moved quietly to and fro, securing valuables and state papers and sending them away by trusty servants. The President and several members of the Cabinet had started for the scene of action.
Mrs. Mason and Marian watched by the bedside with minutest instructions, while the doctor went out on some pressing business.
"A soger gemmen say he must see Miss Annis," announced the new butler, who had been but a month in his place. "I jus' done fergit de name. Dar's flustration in de berry air."
"To see me?" asked the child in surprise.
"He want de doctor awful much. Den he say send Miss Annis."
Annis held out her hand to Marian. "Come with me!" she exclaimed. "We will not disturb mamma."
They went down together. The man in the hall was covered with dust and grime, and purple-red with the heat. A soldier, sure enough; but the first moment Annis drew back.
"Oh, little Annis, don't be afraid!" and she knew the voice. "Marian—"
And so the two met who had just touched their lips to the cup of joy in the spring of youth. A grave woman half a dozen years older, a man whose life might be ended this very day. All these years he had been bitter and resentful, but if he were dying—
"Can you not fly at once? The battle has been disgraceful, but what could such an army do against overwhelming odds. The whole thing has been a piece of shameful imbecility in our rulers. The British are marching into Washington."