“Good-night,” said the General, forgetful of the fact apparently that Edith Varney was still standing by the window.
“Good-night, sir,” answered Thorne.
Foray moved over to the table at the right, while Thorne leaped to his former position, and his hand sought the key. At last he could send his message, there was nothing to prevent him or interrupt him now, he was in command. Could he get it through? For a moment he forgot everything but that, as he clicked out the call again, but he had scarcely pressed the button when Edith Varney stepped to his side.
“Captain Thorne,” she said in a low voice, giving him the old title.
He looked up at her, stopping a moment.
“What I have done gives you time to escape from Richmond,” she continued.
“Escape!” whispered Thorne, clicking the key again. “Impossible!”
“Oh,” said the girl, laying her hand on his arm, “you wouldn’t do it—now!”
And again the man’s fingers remained poised over the key as he stared at her.
“I gave it to you to—to save your life. I didn’t think you’d use it for anything else. Oh! You wouldn’t!”