"Now," said Beauregard, turning away at last, "for Mr. Sempland. I do not understand it. I never thought him a coward."
"Nor am I, sir!" panted a voice out of the darkness, as a pale and breathless man burst through the group surrounding the general.
"Mr. Sempland!"
"For God's sake, sir, am I in time? The boat?"
"Gone."
"How long? Call her back!"
"It is too late. She has been gone ten minutes. Where were you, sir?"
"Who took her out?"
"Major Lacy. Answer my question, sir!"
"He! My God! I am disgraced! Dishonored! And she—"