Just as the three had seated themselves at the table, and while Rose was pouring out the coffee, the sound of carriage wheels was heard approaching the house, and a few minutes later Mr. Clarence and Sylvan entered the breakfast room with joyous bustle.
"What—what—what does this unseemly excitement mean?" sternly demanded the Iron King, while Cora arose to shake hands with her uncle and brother; and while Rose, fearful of doing wrong, did nothing at all.
"What is the matter? What has happened? Why have you left the works at this hour of the morning, Clarence?" he requested of his son.
"I came with Sylvan, sir, for the last time before he leaves us for distant and dangerous service, and for an unlimited period."
"Ah! you have your orders, then?" said Mr. Rockharrt, in a somewhat mollified tone.
"Yes, sir," said the young lieutenant. "I received my commission by the earliest mail this morning, with orders to report for duty to Colonel Glennin, of the Third Regiment of Infantry, now at Governor's Island, New York harbor, and under orders to start for Fort Farthermost, on the Mexican frontier. I must leave to-night in order to report in time."
Cora looked at him with the deepest interest.
Rose thought now she might venture on a little civility without giving offense to her despotic lord.
"Have you had breakfast, you two?" she inquired.
"No, indeed. We started immediately after receiving the orders," said Sylvan. "And we are as hungry as two bears."