“That I cannot; they have been gone from here three years this July.”
“Had you any acquaintance in that regiment?”
“Indeed had I. I served with them more than twenty years.”
Edward stopped, jumped at least three feet from the ground, (as the soldier afterwards averred) clapped his hands, and exclaimed, “It must be—it must be.”
“Why, what is the matter now?” asked the soldier, amazed at his emotion.
“Tell me,” continued Edward, with all the calmness he could summon, “why you are here, if your regiment has returned?”
“I got myself transferred to this regiment, to finish my term of service in America, in the hope of then finding my wife and little boy, who followed me to the States when I was a prisoner.”
There was no longer any room in Edward's mind for doubt that his companion was the husband of Mrs. Barton. His natural and first impulse was, to make known to the husband the happiness that was in store for him. He began to speak, half laughing, half crying; then checked himself, and considered what a beautiful surprise it would be if they should meet without any preparation: he took the soldier's hand, and said, “I see my friends; you need go no farther; but come in one hour to the City Hotel, and my mother will tell you good news of your wife.”
“News of my wife! are you an angel from heaven?”
“Oh, no,” replied Edward, laughing; “nothing but an American boy.”