"I want no food," said I.
"You must not stay in this air; besides, you will feel better when you have eaten," he replied.
Lydia was silent; her face was wet with tears.
Groups of soldiers stood in our way; some were mad with excitement, gesticulating and cursing; others were mute and white. I heard one say, "My God! what will become of the Minnesota to-morrow?"
The Doctor's face was calm, but tense. My heart seemed to have failed.
The burning Congress threw around us a light brighter than the moon; each of us had two shadows.
We sat down to supper, "Doctor," said I, "how can you be so calm?"
"Why, my boy," he said, "I counted on such, long ago--and worse; besides, you know that I believe everything will come right."
"What is to prevent the Merrimac from destroying our whole fleet and then destroying our coast?"
"God!" said Dr. Khayme.