But the young man had no notion of departing just yet, and he held his ground.
“I’m disturbing nobody,” he said as loudly as before. “You are standing in your own light. If you’ll let me talk to Mr. Bartlett—”
“Hush! do hush!” cried Jennie, in a low voice. “My poor father has a heavy fever, and—”
“Yes, but look here, Miss Bartlett. I offer— Who is this? Pennington, by Jove! Lieutenant, how did you get here?”
“We’ll talk about that when we are outside, Polk,” answered Gilbert, sternly. “Come out with me.”
“Why, I—I don’t understand you,” stammered Nuggy.
“I told you to come outside. Are you going to obey orders?”
“Orders?”
“Yes, orders. This city is under martial law, and I am a lieutenant in the United States service. Now, then, will you come out, or must I have you placed under arrest?”
For the moment the young man from Richmond was struck speechless. This was an entirely new turn of affairs, and he knew not what to say. As for Gilbert, the young lieutenant did not know if he was doing exactly right; but for the sake of Mrs. Bartlett and Jennie he was willing to risk it.