Irene bent down and kissed her companion tremulously, saying slowly—
"He desired me to kiss you for him. Electra, I have not told you before because I feared the effect upon you in your weak state; but there have been desperate battles around Richmond during your illness, and the Federals have been defeated—driven back to James river."
"Was Russell wounded? Yes—I understand it all now! Where is he? Oh! tell me that I may go to him."
She sprang up, but a deathlike pallor overspread her face and she tottered to the open window.
Irene followed the thin figure, and, putting her arms about her, made her lean against her.
"He was wounded on the last day, and I went to see him; you were then delirious."
"Let me go at once! I will not disturb him; I will control myself! Only let me see him to-day!"
"Electra, you cannot see him. He has gone to his God; but in his dying hour he spoke of you fondly, sent love, and——"
The form reeled, drooped, shivered, and fell back insensible in Irene's arms.
So heavy was the swoon, that it seemed as if her spirit had fled to join her cousin's in endless union; but at length consciousness returned, and with it came the woeful realization of her loss. A long, low wail rose and fell upon the air, like the cry from lips of feeble, suffering, helpless children, and her head sank upon the shoulder of the sad-faced nurse, whose grief could find no expression in sobs, or moans, or tears.