"While you have had one trouble, you have escaped another," said her husband gravely. "Our beautiful Washington—for it had grown beautiful to us, partly by the eye of faith, I suppose—is no more. We have had war and devastation of the elements, and must begin over again. We can tell our children about Old Washington, if she was not ancient in years; but a new one must arise on its ruins."
"War!" Jaqueline cried in amazement. And then she glanced at the destruction, bursting into tears.
"Never mind, my darling wife. We have you and the boy, thanks to your mother and Marian and Dr. Collaston's skill. He was faithfulness itself through all that trying time. When you are stronger you shall hear the whole story."
"And Louis—is everybody safe?"
"Louis shouldered a musket and marched like a trained soldier. Oh, we have some brave men left, I assure you! The enemy came; and what we were unable to do the storm did—forced them to retreat before we had been laid quite in ruins."
"It is terrible!" said Annis. "I have been driving about with the doctor. The beautiful White House is gone, and ever so many places. And the storm was terrific. Oh, dear! what a horrible time it was! I sat up all night long with mamma and Marian."
"Dear Marian! How good you have been to me! You and mother have taken such excellent care of my baby."
Marian glanced up with a grave smile.
"And no dear ones are lost? I suppose Lieutenant Ralston was in the thick of the fight?"
"Yes," answered her husband, "like many another brave man. I think we owe him something also."